Saintonge.

Samuel de Champlain, credited with being the father of Canada, hailed from Saintonge, or Xaintonge as it was once spelled. It is known for its decorated pottery, excavations of which have been found in medieval sites throughout Europe, including the British Isles. Pottery jugs contained the Bordeaux wine produced in the region. Shards of plates and bowls that were traded have also been discovered.

Followers of the Protestant religion, Huguenots, were well established in the region. It is likely that some of our ancestors from here were raised as Protestants, though by necessity converted to Catholicism once in New France. Several show up in Québec church confirmation records to affirm their allegiance.

Our ancestors who emigrated from Saintonge are listed below. The dates reflect the year they arrived in Canada if known, otherwise it is the date of their earliest appearances in the records there:

• Marie Gendre (1648) of Surgeres.
• Jean Boutin (1656) of Brouage.
• Marie Faucon (1663) of Hiers.
• Marie Pacaud (1665) of Néré.
• Simon Chapacou (1665) of Néré.
• Francois Pinsonneau (1665).