NOTE: This story is drawn from Chapter 15 of A Violette History, published by the Violette Family Association, and available from Amazon using this link.

What was the nationality of our ancestors François Violet and his wives (he was married three successive times), children, and grandchildren? François came upon this continent in times of great turmoil, when national interests were in a flux and not consistently defined. His time on this continent spanned the period 1749-1824, and in that period he moved a distance or no more than 500 miles or so. But during that time the various lands were claimed by Britain, France, and the United States.

Part of the area was described as being Acadia, though “Acadia” was not a nation. Though large parts of that area are now part of Canada, Canada as an entity did not exist until 1867, long after he died. Continue reading →