Census of 1880.

Life in the new land presented many challenges for the family; census records in 1880 indicate Narcisse did not speak English (no doubt retaining his native French), and neither he nor Edesse could write. His failure to learn English may have been rooted in la survivance, a duty to preserve his cultural identity.

The older children had jobs, son Rocque as a printer, Matilda at a hat factory and Joseph, our ancestor, at 16, was employed by the Rolling Mills. The younger boys, Edward, Charles and Paul were still attending school.

Hermine married Noe Gervais five years earlier and had children of her own. Noe's occupation was variously listed as heater's helper, blacksmith or boilermaker. A boilermaker made vessels to hold liquids heated to extreme pressures. The trade was usually learned through an apprenticeship. The couple lived on Superior street for a time before moving into a home on Russell in 1881.

Paul Mondou, his wife, father-in-law and two of his daughters had moved to Chicago at 103 South Leeanitte Street in this record. He followed the railroad as it expanded operations and became their advertising agent.