{"id":13222,"date":"2019-03-31T19:25:01","date_gmt":"2019-03-31T23:25:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/levasseur.org\/?page_id=13222"},"modified":"2019-09-28T13:05:32","modified_gmt":"2019-09-28T17:05:32","slug":"gatherings","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/levasseur.org\/en\/gatherings\/","title":{"rendered":"Gatherings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gatherings 1954 to 2019<\/span><\/h1>\n
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Date: September, 14,\u00a0 2019
\nPlace: Qu\u00e9bec, Qc, Canada (H\u00f4tel Delta)
\nOrganizing committee: L’Association des Levasseur d’Am\u00e9rique<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Fifty descendants of the ancestors Laurent, Pierre and Jean were present at this meeting of the ALA (Association of The Levasseur of America). Following the registration of the participants, the annual meeting was held at which reports were presented by the President, the genealogist, the treasurer, the webmaster, the head of the Facebook, and the Newsletter committee. The reports are available on the ALA (www.levasseur.org<\/p>\n

Jean-Pierre Levasseur and Gilles Carmel presented the new website, which was greatly appreciated by the participants. We encourage you to visit the site to see how user-friendly it is and how it has been improved.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

In the afternoon, historian and Professor Jean-Marie Lebel gave a lecture entitled “Life in Quebec City at the time of the ancestors Jean, Pierre and Laurent Levasseur”. Mr. Lebel started by handing us a piece of paper. This sheet served as a guide to make us understand the political, economic and religious situation of Quebec, from the arrival of the Levasseur in 1651 until 1759. This sheet presented a map of the city in 1709, drawings of the buildings at the time and portraits of illustrious people such as bishops, governors, natives, kings of that period of time. The speaker mentioned that Jean and Pierre Levasseur were master carpenters. Many of their descendants worked in the same profession. The third and fourth generations of Levasseurs were sculptors. This conference was very enriching and educational. Professor Lebel is an unparalleled storyteller.<\/p>\n

Then, Heidi Levasseur, who plans to swim across the Atlantic from Senegal to Brazil, dazzled us with her presentation of the work required to undertake such a feat. Here’s what can be read about her on her website.”<\/p>\n

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\nQuebec\u2019s Heidi Levasseur continues to prepare for her swim across the Atlantic Ocean.\u00a0The challenge she has set for herself is colossal. She will attempt to swim from Dakar in Senegal to the city of Recife, Brazil. It is a journey of 3000 kilometers, the equivalent of the Quebec- Miami drive.”<\/p>\n

The meeting ended at approximately 5:30 a.m. More than half of the participants gathered for a family dinner at the restaurant, delighted with their day at the gathering.<\/p>\n

\n

Date : August, 16 et 17,\u00a0 2017<\/strong>
\nPlace: Qu\u00e9bec (Campus Notre-Dame-de-Foy)
\n<\/strong>Organizing committee: L’Association des Levasseur d’Am\u00e9rique<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

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The Levasseur Association of America held a gathering on Saturday, September 2nd, 2017, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Notre-Dame-de-Foy Campus, Andr\u00e9-Coindre Pavillon, 5030, rue Cl\u00e9ment-Lockquell, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, near Qu\u00e9bec City.\u00a0 All of Jean, Pierre and Laurent Levasseur descendants were invited to this gathering, as well as the Carmel, Borgias, Vasseur and Vassar descendants.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The first agenda item was the general assembly of the Association.\u00a0 Two presentations followed:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

“A Walk in Old Qu\u00e9bec with the Levasseur Ancestors”<\/div>\n
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“Tabernacles Created by the Levasseur Sculptors: a Touring Itinerary”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Afterwards, a buffet was served, and in the afternoon, participants were bused to the First Nations Hotel and Museum in\u00a0Wendake, and offered a guided tour of the Museum.<\/div>\n
\n

Date: 2014
\nPlace: Trois-Rivi\u00e8res (H\u00f4tel Delta)
\nOrganizing committee: L’Association des Levasseur d’Am\u00e9rique
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Report and photos<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

The gathering of the Levasseur in Trois-Rivi\u00e8res enabled us to learn about the ancestor Denis -Joseph and his descendants of which many of our members are descendants. Jean-Marie Levasseur painted us a portrait of this builder, contractor and businessman whose wife Charlotte Couturier was a horticulturist, innkeeper and cared for small animals. In 1741 Denis-Joseph settled south of Notre-Dame Street in the front of the current Delta, Hotel in an area called La Fosse.<\/p>\n

The King\u2019s daughters:<\/strong><\/p>\n

B\u00e9atrice Levasseur was chosen last year (2013) to represent one of the King\u2019s daughters during a tour in France, in Normandy and Brittany, to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the arrival of the first 36 King\u2019s daughters in New-France. False rumors were made about these girls identifying them as women of leisure. However, it definitely was not the case. Most of them were orphaned and destitute. The King of France Louis XIV took them under his protection and sent them to New – France to find a husband and help populate the new colony. It is estimated that there were 764 King\u2019s daughters. They were of varied social origins. Some were educated others illiterate, some were from wealthy families other had common family background and unknown origin, however, they were all valiant workers.<\/p>\n

Huguette Levasseur\u2019s research project about the King’s daughters indicates that one of them bore the name Levasseur. She was Jeanne Levasseur. Our first Levasseur ancestors, Jean, Pierre and Laurent were already married when the King’s daughters arrived in Quebec. However, Pierre Levasseur\u2019s son, Pierre, married Anne Mesnage, daughter of Pierre Mesnage and Anne Leblanc who was one of the King\u2019s daughters. She was the grandmother of 16 Levasseurs. Huguette spoke to us about the first Levasseurs who came to Quebec City and how they contributed to the development of upper and lower town, how they lived and she informed us about the different places where they lived.<\/p>\n

The newcomers had to know how to build, cultivate, garden, farm, raise families. They had to work hard to succeed.<\/p>\n

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Date: September 2012
\nPlace: Rimouski, Qu\u00e9bec (Centre communautaire Arthur-Buies)
\nOrganizing committee: L’Association des Levasseur d’Am\u00e9rique<\/strong><\/p>\n

We had an over-optimistic goal of attracting 100 participants at the regional gathering in Rimouski on September 1, 2012. Not only did we reach this objective but surpassed it.<\/p>\n

All conditions were ideal to make this gathering a success: great temperature, enthusiastic participants from eastern Canada and the United States, a festive atmosphere due to the Festi-Jazz concerts being held at the same time, a suitable room and tremendous logistic and computer support from Regis Levasseur of Mont-Joli.<\/p>\n

The volunteers and board members met early Saturday morning in order to prepare and welcome the Levasseurs members and their families to the gathering that began shortly after noon.<\/p>\n

At 1:30 after welcoming remarks by Raymond Levasseur, our president Roger Levasseur expressed his welcome on a pre-recorded video shown on a large screen.<\/p>\n

Gilles Carmel, our vice president presented an overview of the Association that was created more than 20 years ago by our now deceased friend Vincent Levasseur.<\/p>\n

Our host, Raymond Levasseur, informed us about the Levasseurs who settled in various localities in Eastern Quebec frequently adding interesting anecdotes about the life of these pioneers and their family members. It is possible that this conference on \u00abThe Levasseurs who settled in Eastern Qu\u00e9bec\u00bb may be published in a future issue of the Newsletter.<\/p>\n

Prior to the visit of the Genealogy Society and Archives of Rimouski a group photo was taken of all the participants. The photo taken outdoors on a beautiful sunny day can be seen in this publication.<\/p>\n

Upon their return the participants heard two presentations. One was on the genealogical dictionaries of Pierre and Laurent Levasseur. Participants were shown and given an explanation on how to use the dictionaries. Huguette provided explanations enabling the reader to quickly find the relationship between the parties listed in these dictionaries. The second presentation was about the impact of new technologies in the field of communication enabling the sharing of information between family associations like ours and their members.<\/p>\n

In addition to these activities, there were discussions about the collection and the consulting of genealogical data by our genealogist Joceline Levasseur. Also, discussions were made on the cataloguing of ancient photos and official documents and the presentation of various promotional products.<\/p>\n

An excellent dinner was served and many door prizes were offered prior to participants saying: \u00abgood by and until the next time we meet\u00bb.<\/p>\n

We say thank you and express our and gratitude to the many volunteers who, due to their hard work and generosity, made this gathering possible and a great success. Again, Thank you.<\/p>\n

If you receive an on-line version of this Newsletter you will find many links that will bring you to complimentary data and information such as photos and videos. By the time you receive this information, the Association\u2019s Blog will have been updated with additional photos and videos.<\/p>\n

Jean-Pierre Levasseur (250)<\/p>\n

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Date: August 2012
\nPlace: Sherbroohe , Qu\u00e9bec (Centre communautaire Arthur-Buies)
\nOrganizing committee: L’Association des Levasseur d’Am\u00e9rique2011 Sherbrooke<\/strong><\/p>\n

The temperature was ideal and the Levasseurs were there! This first gathering in the Eastern townships was very successful.
\nLevasseurs from New Brunswick, Ontario, various locations in Qu\u00e9bec and from the North Eastern States met in the beautiful city of Sherbrooke. They socialized and exchanged information and memories about their families and where they lived.<\/p>\n

The day began with welcoming remarks by our President, Roger Levasseur. He stressed the importance of these gatherings and how our ancestors would be proud to see many of us together, 400 years after they crossed the Atlantic.\u2028\u2028Mr. Jacques Beaugrand, our guess speaker, informed us about recent discoveries tied to his DNA research and its application to family genealogy. He informed the participants about the family origins of the Levasseurs and from what countries they originated. Keep in mind that certain members of our Association participated in DNA tests to determine if our original ancestors were related. The results of his findings are published on our Web site.<\/p>\n

A conference titled \u00abA well connected Association\u00bb was made by Jean-Pierre, our Webmaster.
\nHuguette Levasseur spoke about the genealogical dictionaries produced by the Association. Her main emphasis was how to effectively carry out a research when referring to them. She also spoke about the continuous work Joceline, our genealogist, and Gilles Carmel do by reviewing and adding data to this gigantic data base.<\/p>\n

In the afternoon, we participated in an historical theatrical presentation that allowed us to go back in time! In the company of Mary O\u2019Malley, a colourful Irish girl, we met historical characters who left their mark in the development of the Eastern Townships. Gilbert Hyatt, a proud and valiant Loyalist, G\u00e9raldine Mollins the fiery wife of a settler, Grace Thompson, a seductive rich merchant from Lennox Ville and Andrew Paton, the owner and director of the largest wool mill in Canada.<\/p>\n

Our data base on the Association\u2019s site is very user friendly. Gilles Carmel made a presentation that was much appreciated by all of us. He showed us how to use the various research functions, easily accessible and readily available on the Web Site.
\nA great dinner was served and we enjoyed the pleasant music provided by a string quartet. There were also many door prizes awarded during the course of the evening.
\nWe thank and express our gratitude to Paul, Pierrette and the team who organized this memorable gathering in Sherbrooke this past August 20, 2011. It is only a \u201cso long\u201d until next time!<\/p>\n

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Date: 14 August,\u00a0 2010
\nPlace: Poh\u00e9n\u00e9gamook, Qu\u00e9bec<\/strong>
\nOrganisating comitee: Mrs Marie-Stella Morneau and Mr Roland Williams with the collaboration of l’Association des Levasseur d’Am\u00e9rique<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr. Roland Williams and Mrs. Marie-Stella Morneau, responsible for the organization of this gathering did not spare any efforts to make this gathering a success that will be remembered for years to come.<\/p>\n

Conferences well appreciated<\/strong><\/p>\n

R\u00e9jean Levasseur, our friend emceed the proceedings through out the day. R\u00e9jean has been undertaking the taskof emcee since the first meeting held in 1980. Our president, Roger Levasseur, presented a brief historical summary of the Association. He emphasized the important role of its founding president, Vincent Levasseur, who passed away in 2005.<\/p>\n

Followed, the author of this article who explained to those present the principal functions of the Association\u2019s Web-Site (www.levasseur.org). He emphasized the frequency of usage of the data base and the on-line consultations of various archives and previous News Letters published since 1988.<\/p>\n

Joceline Levasseur spoke about the two genealogical dictionaries and referred to the three generations of genealogists who have succeeded one another. Thanks to them, the Association can offer its members a data base approaching 120,000 entries accessible on-line on our Web site.<\/p>\n

We tend to forget that the collection and verification of genealogical data from various sources constitutes the pivot of all family Associations. From its early beginning, all family associations start by assembling a data base of its descendants representing those who first came to America. Well beyond the technological advances offered by internet on a Web-site, the first and most important mission of a family association is the production of a dictionary for its members and those interested in genealogical research.<\/p>\n

As frequently mentioned by Joceline, Qu\u00e9bec remains a \u00abparadise\u00bb for genealogist due to the ease of gathering data. However, that also implies an assiduous task. Without the dedication of a person like Joceline, it is doubtful that the success of a family associationcan be assured or maintained for a very long term. Bravo Joceline, we are indebted to you for your dedication to genealogy.<\/p>\n

Gilles Carmel informs us about DNA results<\/strong><\/p>\n

A conference that participants looked forward to was made by Gilles Carmel. You may have noticed, in two previous issues of our News Letter, there were articles on DNA testing carried out to determine, beyond any doubt, whether our two ancestors, Laurent and Pierre were related.Though the subject is very complex, Gilles, using charts with remarkable competence, according to comments made by participants, explained and demystified this complex theory.<\/p>\n

The history of Levasseurs in this region<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr. Williams had a very special surprise for the participants. One must remember that the town of Poh\u00e9n\u00e9gamook stems from the fusion of Saint-David-de-Sully, Saint-Pierre d’Estcourt and Saint-\u00c9leuth\u00e8re on October\u00a0 23, 1973.<\/p>\n

A special tour was organized by our hosts in order to visit the principal locations where various Levasseur families lived within this municipality. Two local businesses were also visited, that of \u00abMeubles Rh\u00e9al Levasseur\u00bb and \u00abGuy Levasseur Inc\u00bb. These visits were appreciated by the visiting members.<\/p>\n

Presentation by Mr. Gaston Levasseur<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr. Gaston Levasseur spoke about his Levasseur ancestors and their role in the Poh\u00e9n\u00e9gamook society. Many thanks to him.<\/p>\n

A delightful meal<\/strong><\/p>\n

We must also mention the quality of the meal served by the caterer and the generosity of the sponsors who offered, in addition to the wine, numerous entry prizes during the evening.<\/p>\n

Our thanks to the organisers and sponsors of this memorable gathering and cheers to the residents of Poh\u00e9n\u00e9gamook !<\/p>\n

by: Jean-Pierre Levasseur (250)<\/p>\n

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Place : Qu\u00e9bec, Qc, Canada<\/strong>
\nDate : August, 16 et 17,\u00a0 2008<\/strong>
\nOrganizing committee: L’Association des Levasseur d’Am\u00e9rique<\/strong><\/p>\n

Activities began at 10 o\u2019clock under the directions of R\u00e9jean Levasseur our master of ceremonies. He thanked Joceline, her sister Huguette, their families and Jean-Pierre for the many hours they spent to organize this gathering. He then presented the President of the Association, Gilles Carmel The President welcomed the participants and\u00a0 summarized the 20 years of existence of the Association. He mentioned that the first newsletter was published in English and French in January 1989 by Vincent, Roger and R\u00e9jean.
\nThe master of ceremony then invited Roger to speak about the life of our ancestors Jean, Pierre and Laurent when they came to New France in the 17 h century. Their names were projected on a screen:<\/p>\n