The Mackinac Registers

Translation from a copy of the original in possession of the parish church of Ste. Anne at Mackinac.

Mackinac Baptism Records 1745-1749

Feb. 1, 1745, I baptized in the church of this mission Pierre Louis, legitimate son of Sieur Charles Chaboyer and of Marianne Chevalier, His wife, residing at this post – the said child having been born last night. The godfather was Louis Chevalier; and the godmother Charlotte Parent. *** P. du Jaunay, miss. of the society of Jesus. C. Chaboillez; Marianne Chaboillez Parent. April 30, 1745, I solemnly baptized in the church of this mission Thomas, legitimate son of Thomas Blondeau and of Demoiselle Marie Joseph de Celle, his lawful wife, residing at this post – the said child having … Read more

Mackinac Baptism Records 1742-1744

In the year one thousand seven Hundred and forty-one, on the twenty-fourth of October, I, the undersigned priest and missionary of the society of Jesus in the mission of St ignace at the post of Michilimakinak, did baptize Louis Joseph Chaboyer, one day old, son of Charles Chaboiller and of Marianne Chevailler, his Wife. The godfather was Joseph Ens, and the godmother Nannette Chevalier, both residing at the said post, who have signed with me. Jean Baptiste Lamorinie missionary of the Society of Jesus. Nanette Chevalier; Joseph Hains. May 12, 1742. *** two adults *** being slaves: one of Mr … Read more

Early Mackinac Marriage Records 1725-1749

The old register at Mackinac is still preserved in the parish church of the island. It consists of one large volume, with the records of marriages entered at one end, and those of baptisms at the other. The record of interments is meagre. This volume extends in time from 1741-1821, and we here publish the portion comprising the marriages. That for the baptisms and interments will be given in the succeeding volume of our Collections. We are indebted to the Hon. Edward Osgood Brown of Chicago for an admirable transcription of this interesting document, which we follow in the present … Read more

A Short History of Michilimakinak

No more colorful settlement existed in the Middle West than the mission and fort at the Straits of Mackinac, for the French early realized its importance and directed their westward explorations from this base. The concentration point for the fur trade of the Middle West, Mackinac held an important place for many years, both during the British and American regimes.