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Perche, region of emigration
to Quebec in the 17th century
Perche, region of emigration to Quebec in the 17th century

Julien Fortin dit Bellefontaine
(1621 Notre-Dame-de-Vair - ~ 1690 Canada)
Madonna, from Perche to Bay City Celine Dion, from Perche to Las vegas Jack Kerouac Family link of Julien Fortin with Ryan Gosling Family link of Julien Fortin with Ginette Reno Family link of Julien Fortin with Xavier Dolan Family link of Julien Fortin with Michel Marc Bouchard Family link of Julien Fortin with Justin Bieber Family link of Julien Fortin with Hélène Mercier

     


by Jean-François Loiseau
published on October 28, 2017, updated on April 12, 2023

Julien Fortin was christened on February 9, 1621 in the parish of Notre-Dame-de-Vair (now attached to the municipality of Saint-Cosme-en-Vairais, Sarthe, France), on the edge of Perche. His father, also named Julien who worked as a butcher, married Marie Lavie in the same parish on November 26, 1619.

Julien Fortin's baptism record
Julien Fortin's baptism record of February 9, 1621 - Parish registers of Notre-Dame-de-Vair
source : Sarthe archives
Madonna, Chanson Numero 1

Madonna talks about her French direct ancestor, Julien Fortin, in the French TV show "La chanson numero 1" broadcasted on France 2, June 8, 2003

Julien Junior, who had a sister and three brothers, lost his mother when he was seven. His maternal grandfather, Gervais Lavie, was the owner of the « Auberge du Cheval Blanc », where the surgeon and apothecary Robert Giffard from Mortagne-au-Perche recruited candidates to settle in New France. When he was thirteen, Julien developed a passion for this adventure.

Giffard described Quebec as the Garden of Eden, a land where milk and honey flow but he omitted to mention the bloody battles against the Iroquois and the English. When Robert Giffard came back sixteen years later, he convinced several Percherons to migrate to New France.

Julien Fortin, 29 years old, was one of them. In 1650, he sailed from the port of Dieppe with several companions and arrived three months later in Quebec after a perilous crossing. The group included Simon Rocheron and his sister Marie, aged 15, Antoine Rouillard (carpenter), Claude Bouchard (tailor), Martin Boullard, Pierre Mauffay, Simon Lereau and others.

On December 26, 1650, he received a concession at Petit Cap from Olivier Le Tardif, like Claude Bouchard, Louis and Pierre Gagne. This is where he spent the rest of his life with his wife Genevieve Gamache.

Two years later, Julien Fortin decided to found a family with a pretty peasant girl of fourteen years his junior. Genevieve Gamache dit Lamarre, baptized on October 3, 1636 in Saint-Illiers-la-Ville, a small village in the diocese of Chartres (France), is the daughter of Nicolas Gamache dit Lamarre and Jacqueline Cadot and the sister of the pioneer Nicolas Gamache, Lord of the Islet.

On November 11, 1652, the marriage is celebrated in the chapel Cap-Tourmente in Saint-Joachim de Montmorency by the Father Paul Ragneau, Jesuit superior and grand vicar of the archbishopric of Rouen. However, the marriage record is mentioned in the parish registers of Notre-Dame de Quebec.


Julien Fortin and Genevieve Gamache's marriage record of Novembre 11, 1652
Parish registers of Notre-Dame-de-Quebec
source: collection Drouin
« Le 11 de nov. 1652 apres publication faite de deux bans le 28 d'oct. e le 3 de nov e dispense obtenue du 3e ne s'estant trouve aucun empeschement le r.p. paul ragueneau Super. des Missions de la Compie de Jesus en ce pays e grand Vicaire de Monseign l'archv. de rouen a interroge Julien fortin fils e heritier de Julien e de defuncte marie La vie de la paroisse de Nre Dame le verd Evesche du Mans d'une part : et genevieve Gamache fille de Nicolas Gamache dit La marre e de Jacqueline Cadot de la paroisse de St-Illier la ville, Evesche de Chartres en beausse d'autre part, lesquels ayant donne leur mutuel consentement par parole de present il a solennnellement maries disant la messe au Cap de Tourmente en presence de tesmoins connus, le Sr le Tardif, Louys Gangner, Claude Auber. »

On August 23, 1657, Julien Fortin, Sieur de Bellefontaine, bought his share of « La Compagnie de Beaupre » for 700 pounds from Jean Lauzon. He even acquired a little place on the Island of Orleans in exchange for beavers, a spot that he resold in 1662 to the Bishop of Laval, making a profit. In 1659, he received a grant of 6 acres in Cape Tourmente (St. Joachim), on the riverside. This area was formerly known as « La Cote Fortin » (The Fortin Coast). Julien also owned land in « La Petite Riviere Saint-François » , in Charlevoix. The 1667 census reveals that Julien Fortin lived in Saint-Joachim, employing 2 domestics and had 8 acres of cleared land, a barn and 7 animals.

But the Iroquois terror hung over the region of Cap-Tourmente. An interesting fact: On October 6, 1661, Julien Fortin testified in court the looting of the farms of Jean Picard, the widow Caron and Claude Bouchard by the Iroquois. He also described the massacre of six people including Louis Guimond. Julien Fortin's family took refuge away from Chateau-Richer. However, Julien Fortin business continued to grow and he made many transactions with Claude Bouchard.

The prosperous colon is also famous for his gifts, especially after the miraculous healing of his daughter Barbara when afflicted with pleurisy. On August 18, 1680, he donated to the churches of Notre-Dame-de-la-Visitation of Chateau-Richer and Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre a land and a house with a bakery in Chateau-Richer.

He founded a large family with twelve children. Despite the loss of many children in the prime of life because of epidemics of the time (fever, scarlet fever, measles, smallpox, etc.), four sons continued Fortin and Bellefontaine names: Eustache, Jacques, Joseph and Pierre.

Julien Fortin died between June 18, 1689 - he is the godfather of his granddaughter Marie Gagnon christened this day - and April 16, 1690, day of the wedding of his daughter Barbara with Pierre Lessard - Julien is said deceased. Contrary to what is stated in some books and on websites, Julien did not die on August 10, 1692. It is another Bellefontaine who died on this date at the Hotel-Dieu de Quebec.

Genevieve Gamache finished her life with their son, Charles Fortin, at l'Islet. She was buried on November 5, 1709 in Notre-Dame de Bonsecours at L'Islet.

On December 31, 1729, Julien Fortin had 364 descendants, which ranks him at the 56th position among the pioneers in Canada.

The singer Madonna, born on August 16, 1958, is a descendant of Julien Fortin through her mother who was named Madonna Fortin.

Unveiling of the Julien Fortin Memorial

On July 4, 2015, l’Association des Fortin d'Amerique paid tribute to Julien Fortin and Genevieve Gamache, ancestors of thousands of descendants, for their courage to brave the harsh living conditions in New France. The memorial is erected on the ancestral land located at 765, chemin du Cap-Tourmente in St-Joachim (Quebec).

Family link with Madonna

FORTIN N… (-)

FORTIN Simon (1575-1617)

FORTIN Julien (~1599-1679)
⚭ LAVYE Marie (1601-1628)

FORTIN Julien dit Bellefontaine (1621 Notre-Dame-de-Vair - ~1690)
⚭ GAMACHE Genevieve (1636 Saint-Illiers-la-Ville - 1709 L'Islet)










FORTIN Eustache ( ~1658-1736)
⚭ CLOUTIER Louise (1676-)

FORTIN Louis (1711-1788)
⚭ BLANCHET Marie Françoise (1709-1753)

FORTIN François (~1750-1780)
⚭ DANDURAND Marie Louise (1744-)
FORTIN Charles Thomas (1656-1735)
⚭ CLOUTIER Xainte (~1661-1725)

FORTIN Louis (1690-1749)
1st⚭ BOSSE Marie Anne (1693-1734)

FORTIN Claude Joseph (~ 1712-1799)
⚭ METHOT Marie Jeanne (1724-1789)

FORTIN Joseph Romain (~ 1750-)
⚭ DELISLE Marie Louise (~ 1755-)
2d⚭ LANGELIER Marie Madeleine (1707-)

FORTIN Augustin Magloire (1739-1800)
⚭ THIBAULT Marie Judith (1755-)

FORTIN Augustin (~ 1785-)
⚭ GAUDREAU Marie-Euphrosine (1788-)

FORTIN Narcisse (~1825-)
⚭ RIOUX Felecite (~1820-)

FORTIN Narcisse (1860-1903)
⚭ LAJOIE rose (1869-)
FORTIN Genevieve (~1780-) FORTIN Joseph (1774-)







FORTIN François (~ 1810-< 1855)
⚭ BLIER Marie Victoire (1814-)

FORTIN Henri Nazaire (1840->1900)
⚭ DANIEL Emilie (1845-1906)

FORTIN Henri Guillaume (1867-~1920)
⚭ DEMERS Marie-Louise (1875-1929)
FORTIN Elsie Mae (1911-2011) FORTIN Willard (1903-1959)





FORTIN Madonna Louise (1932-1963)
⚭ CICCONE Silvio Anthony (1931-)

CICCONE Madonna Louise (1958)
a.k.a. MADONNA
Madonna

Family link with Madonna

FORTIN N… (-)
|
FORTIN Simon (1575-1617)
|
FORTIN Julien (~1599-1679)
⚭ LAVYE Marie (1601-1628)
|
FORTIN Julien dit Bellefontaine (1621 Notre-Dame-de-Vair - ~1690)
⚭ GAMACHE Genevieve (1636 Saint-Illiers-la-Ville - 1709 Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours L'Islet)
|
FORTIN Charles Thomas (1656-1735)
⚭ CLOUTIER Xainte (~1661-1725)
|
FORTIN Louis (1690-1749)
⚭ LANGELIER Marie Madeleine (1707-)
|
FORTIN Augustin Magloire (1739-1800)
⚭ THIBAULT Marie Judith (1755-)
|
FORTIN Augustin (~ 1785-)
⚭ GAUDREAU Marie-Euphrosine (1788-)
|
FORTIN Narcisse (~1825-)
⚭ RIOUX Felecite (~1820-)
|
FORTIN Narcisse (1860-1903)
⚭ LAJOIE rose (1869-)
|
FORTIN Willard (1903-1959)
⚭ FORTIN Elsie Mae (1911-2011)
|
FORTIN Madonna Louise (1932-1963)
⚭ CICCONE Silvio Anthony (1931-)
|
CICCONE Madonna Louise (1958)
a.k.a. MADONNA
from Perche to Michigan


Family link with Celine Dion

FORTIN N… (-)

FORTIN Simon (1575-1617)

FORTIN Julien (~1599-1679)
⚭ LAVYE Marie (1601-1628)

FORTIN Julien dit Bellefontaine (1621 Notre-Dame-de-Vair - ~1690)
⚭ GAMACHE Genevieve (1636 Saint-Illiers-la-Ville - 1709 L'Islet)










FORTIN Eustache (~ 1658-1736)
⚭ CLOUTIER Louise (1676-)
FORTIN Charles Thomas (1656-1735)
⚭ CLOUTIER Xainte (~1661-1725)

FORTIN Marie Elisabeth (1695-1733)
⚭ GUIMOND François (1690-)

GUIMOND Claude Joseph (1715-)
⚭ MORNEAU Marie Salomee (1729-)

GUIMOND Marie Salomee (1752-)
⚭ BERNIER Pierre Basile Louis (1749-)

BERNIER Yvonne Modeste (1776-)
⚭ DION Joseph (1781-)





FORTIN Marie Claire (1716-)
⚭ BERNIER Jean Baptiste (1710-)

BERNIER Marie Josephte (1736-)
⚭ MERCIER Joseph Pascal (1730-< 1793)

MERCIER Marie Claire (1777-)
⚭ LACHAUME Jean François (1779-)

LACHAUME Monique (~ 1807-1891)
⚭ LEVESQUE Georges (1815-1891)

LEVESQUE Jean (1846-1924)
⚭ VALLEE Marguerite (~ 1848-)

FORTIN Philippe (1706-)
⚭ RICHARD Marie Genevieve (1715-)

FORTIN Marie Victoire (1748-)
⚭ CHESNEL Louis (-)

CHESNEL François (-)
⚭ BOULET Elizabeth (1790-1833)

CHESNEL Julie (~ 1813-) DION Joseph (~ 1810-)







DION Joseph-Adelard (~ 1845-1905)
⚭ LETOURNEAU Marcelline (1845-1922)

LEVESQUE Esther (1871-1934) DION Adhelard (1868-1940)





DION Joseph Charles Adelard (1895-1957)
⚭ BARRIAULT Marie Ernestine (1904-1980)

DION Adhemar (1923-2003)
⚭ TANGUAY Marie Therese (1927-2020)

DION Celine (1968)
Celine Dion, from Perche to Las Vegas

Family link with Celine Dion

FORTIN N… (-)
|
FORTIN Simon (1575-1617)
|
FORTIN Julien (~1599-1679)
⚭ LAVYE Marie (1601-1628)
|
FORTIN Julien dit Bellefontaine (1621 Notre-Dame-de-Vair - ~1690)
⚭ GAMACHE Genevieve (1636 Saint-Illiers-la-Ville - 1709 Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours L'Islet)
|
FORTIN Eustache (~ 1658-1736)
⚭ CLOUTIER Louise (1676-)
|
FORTIN Philippe (1706-)
⚭ RICHARD Marie Genevieve (1715-)
|
FORTIN Marie Victoire (1748-)
⚭ CHESNEL Louis (-)
|
CHESNEL François (-)
⚭ BOULET Elizabeth (1790-1833)
|
CHESNEL Julie (~ 1813-)
⚭ DION Joseph (~ 1810-)
|
DION Joseph-Adelard (~ 1845-1905)
⚭ LETOURNEAU Marcelline (1845-1922)
|
DION Adhelard (1868-1940)
⚭ LEVESQUE Esther (1871-1934)
|
DION Joseph Charles Adelard (1895-1957)
⚭ BARRIAULT Marie Ernestine (1904-1980)
|
DION Adhemar (1923-2003)
⚭ TANGUAY Marie Therese (1927-2020)
|
DION Celine (1968)
Celine Dion, from Perche to Las Vegas


Family link with Xavier Dolan

FORTIN N…) (-)
|
FORTIN Simon (1575-1617)
|
FORTIN Julien (~1599-1679)
⚭ LAVYE Marie (1601-1628)
|
FORTIN Julien dit Bellefontaine (1621 Notre-Dame-de-Vair - ~1690)
⚭ GAMACHE Genevieve (1636 Saint-Illiers-la-Ville - 1709 Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours L'Islet)
|
FORTIN Charles Thomas (1656-1735)
⚭ CLOUTIER Marie Sainte (1661-1725)
|
FORTIN Marie Genevieve (1686-1763)
⚭ LEMIEUX Louis (1683-)
|
LEMIEUX Marie Madeleine (1724-1759)
⚭ RODRIGUE Jacques (1718-1755)
|
RODRIGUE Marie Genevieve (1747-)
⚭ METHOT Ignace (1733-)
|
METHOT François (1773-)
⚭ GUIMOND Marguerite Ursule (1790-)
|
METHOT Ignace
⚭ OUELLET Lucille Primitive
|
METHOT Elzear (1856-)
⚭ OUELLET Amanda (1857-)
|
ROBIN Beatrice
⚭ METHOT Eutrope
|
METHOT Rolande
⚭ DOLAN Paul
|
DOLAN Genevieve Beatrice
⚭ TADROS Manuel (1956-)
|
DOLAN-TADROS Xavier (1989)


Family link with Jack Kerouac

FORTIN N… (-)
|
FORTIN Simon (1575-1617)
|
FORTIN Julien (~1599-1679)
⚭ LAVYE Marie (1601-1628)
|
FORTIN Julien dit Bellefontaine (1621 Notre-Dame-de-Vair - ~1690)
⚭ GAMACHE Genevieve (1636 Saint-Illiers-la-Ville - 1709 Notre-Dame-de-Bonsecours L'Islet)
|
FORTIN Charles Thomas (1656-1735)
⚭ CLOUTIER Marie Sainte (~1661-1725)
|
FORTIN Marie Genevieve (1686-1763)
⚭ LEMIEUX Louis (1683-)
|
LEMIEUX Louis (1707-)
⚭ GAMACHE Marie Louise (1716-1782)
|
LEMIEUX Reine Ursule (1743-)
⚭ GUIMOND Jean Charles Gabriel (1739-)
|
GUIMOND Marie Ursule (1765-1820)
⚭ LE BRIS KEROUAC Simon Alexandre (-1823)
|
LE BRIS KEROUAC François (1791-)
⚭ CHOUINARD Marie Marcelline
|
KEROUAC Edouard
⚭ MALENFANT Marie Severine
|
KIROUACK Jean-Baptiste
⚭ BERNIER Clementine (1849-)
|
KIROUACK Joseph Alcide Leon (1889-1946)
⚭ LEVESQUE Gabrielle-Ange (1895-1972)
|
KIROUAC Jean Louis
a.k.a. KEROUAC Jack (1922-1969)
from Perche to the US roads


History of emigration to Quebec

in partnership with the association Perche-Canada

328 Percheron emigrants

left France to settle in Quebec in the 17th and 18th centuries
List updated by perche-quebec.com in November 2023

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