Quebec Genealogy Pointers,  Quebec History

“Dit” Names

The use of Dit names in French Canada (Bas Canada) is both very common and confusing.  Currently, I am working with another Deyo cousin to attempt to unravel yet another Deyo mystery. This part of my family line is now being reworked for the fourth time!  I think I might be getting good at it.  Briefly here’s the mystery…

It appears, now, that I might be descended from a woman we believe was named Honoree Beaulac. Her family name (surname) has the following common dit names (there may be others as well):

  • Desmarais
  • Lake
  • Lefebvre
  • Marest
  • Beaulaque
  • Hertel (a nice German sounding name, eh?) By the way you will also find a listing of variations in Tanguay’s text (volume 7)… we keep a copy on ManyRoads.

To add even further joy into the equation, her first name (given name) is also commonly altered to include or be (in French/ English):

  • Honoret
  • Nora
  • Honore
  • Honoree

As you might well imagine, this combination of names gives us a little bit to search and rummage around in.  More importantly if you are researching family members in Bas Canada, you too will certainly encounter this form of adventure. Enjoy the mystery and challenge!

Here is a list of some sites providing explanations of “Dit” names:

 

ManyRoads Creator, Professional Genealogist, Family Historian, ManyRoads Podcast co-host, Old Guy and most importantly 'opa'