HAPPY CANADA DAY!

[Onkel Neal]

Yay, Canada! America's favorite neighbor to the north

[Jimbuna]

[Rockstar]

Happy Birthday Canada. Rather than the obligatory 'eh' or references to Bob and Doug Mckenzie. I think of the epic tale of Evangeline and Acadia where my peeps are from.

This is the forest primeval. The murmuring pines and the hemlocks,
Bearded with moss, and in garments green, indistinct in the twilight,
Stand like Druids of eld, with voices sad and prophetic,
Stand like harpers hoar, with beards that rest on their bosoms.
Loud from its rocky caverns, the deep-voiced neighboring ocean
Speaks, and in accents disconsolate answers the wail of the forest.
This is the forest primeval; but where are the hearts that beneath it
Leaped like the roe, when he hears in the woodland the voice of the huntsman?
Where is the thatch-roofed village, the home of Acadian farmers --
Men whose lives glided on like rivers that water the woodlands,
Darkened by shadows of earth, but reflecting an image of heaven?
Waste are those pleasant farms, and the farmers forever departed!
Scattered like dust and leaves, when the mighty blasts of October
Seize them, and whirl them aloft, and sprinkle them far o'er the ocean.
Naught but tradition remains of the beautiful village of Grand-Pré.
Ye who believe in affection that hopes, and endures, and is patient,
Ye who believe in the beauty and strength of woman's devotion,
List to the mournful tradition still sung by the pines of the forest;
List to a Tale of Love in Acadie, home of the happy.

[u crank]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

....I think of the epic tale of Evangeline and Acadia where my peeps are from.

Interesting. My ancestors on my dads' side were among the first Acadian settlers to arrive on Prince Edward Island in the mid 1700s. If you don't mind me asking, what part of the region do yours come from?

[Rockstar]

Originally Posted by u crank

Interesting. My ancestors on my dads' side were among the first Acadian settlers to arrive on Prince Edward Island in the mid 1700s. If you don't mind me asking, what part of the region do yours come from?

Unfortunetly Im not certain, records show Charles Renault and Marie Comminaux migrated from New Brunswick to the U.S. in the late 1800's. Not sure if they were displaced by the Brits or what their story was.

[u crank]

Originally Posted by Rockstar

Unfortunetly Im not certain, records show Charles Renault and Marie Comminaux migrated from New Brunswick to the U.S. in the late 1800's. Not sure if they were displaced by the Brits or what their story was.

Those names are not familiar Acadian names here on PEI. If these people left New Brunswick in the late 1800's it would have been their choice. The Expulsion of the Acadians took place between 1755–1764 as part of the French and Indian War (the North American part of the Seven Years' War.)

[Rockstar]

Originally Posted by u crank

Those names are not familiar Acadian names here on PEI. If these people left New Brunswick in the late 1800's it would have been their choice. The Expulsion of the Acadians took place between 1755–1764 as part of the French and Indian War (the North American part of the Seven Years' War.)

Well maybe they were just passing through? All I can find are U.S. entry records that they originated from New Brunswick. Also, Im not very certain on the spelling of Mary's maiden name. Any records before U.S. entry are in French and I dont have a clue.

Mom says we still have relatives up in the Maritimes and Quebec. Though ties have broken well before my birth.

[Sailor Steve]

A special anniversary! Happy 150th Canada!

Originally Posted by Rockstar

Rather than the obligatory 'eh' or references to Bob and Doug Mckenzie...

Sorry, couldn't resist.