If your ancestors lived in Quebec and spoke English, then you might be interested in online exhibit called, The Identity of English-speaking Quebec in 100 Objects. I am writing about this because Heather Darch, Curator of the Missisquoi Historical Society/Missisquoi Museum shared the information with me. Remember my ancestor's Revolutionary War Red Coat story? Well, that is one of the 100 objects. If you the Objects tab, #5, the Loyalist coat, c. 1770, scroll down for additional detailed information. She told me, "The Ten Eyck red coat has headed off to the Centre de conservation du Québec at long last. Although it was accepted for conservation ages ago, we were only given permission this past month to send it to them. It will likely be out of the collection for a year. When it returns, I will send you up-to-date images. The coat was accepted as one of the 100 significant objects of the history of English-speaking Quebec. The project called the Significant Objects for Telling Identity by the Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network created a website and a DVD featuring 100 objects from across the province that reflected the diverse English-speaking culture and heritage of Quebec." I am thrilled times two over because the coat is one of the 100 objects chosen and I can't wait to hear what the experts say about it.A little more about the exhibit all can see. The website "gives an overview of 100 objects with their 100 stories. "It is a portrait of the English-speaking communities of Quebec, in all their diversity."
"The 2011 Canada Census identified 1,058,250 persons who spoke English as their first official language rather than French. This represents 13.5% of Quebec’s total population." If you have any ancestors from Quebec, have an interest in history or just love learning about their early life, this is the perfect introduction for you. In addition, there is a timeline tab which provides historical context, and you can use your own descriptions of some of the items to incorporate into your family story."
"Since it was founded in 2000, the Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network has striven to fulfill its mission of “promoting the preservation of the built, cultural and natural heritage of Quebec,” and more specifically the cultural heritage of Quebec’s diverse and geographically far-flung English-speaking communities."
