Michillimackinac

Mackinac Marriage Records 1821

On August 11, 1821, William McGulpin and Madeleine Bourassa had their marriage validated by Gabriel Richard, a parish priest, following a certificate from justice of the peace Samuel Abbott. They acknowledged three legitimate children. Additionally, on the same date, John and Rosalie Dousman, along with Francois Paget and Celeste Reed, also had their marriages validated in the presence of witnesses, each recognizing their respective children. These records reflect the community’s adherence to Roman Catholic marriage rites in Mackinac during this period.

Mackinac Marriage Records 1800-1804

Between January 1800 and July 1804, several marriage consents were recorded by Adhemar St. Martin and J. Dilhet, justices of the peace and missionary priests at Mackinac. The records include individuals of both French and Sauteux descent, with many couples unable to sign their names and instead marking their consent. Notable marriages include those of Louis Hamelin to Marie Louise and Jacques Chauvin to Angelique, among others. The ceremonies often involved witnesses and varied in the required publication of bans, reflecting the diverse community in the region.

Mackinac Marriage Records 1790-1799

Between 1792 and 1799, several marriage consents were recorded at Michilimakinac, highlighting the diverse community of that period. Notable figures included Jean Baptiste La Borde, Alexis Laframboise, and various local residents and officials like Adhemar St. Martin and Father Gabriel Richard. Marriages involved individuals of European and Indigenous descent, with witnesses often comprising local dignitaries and families. These records illustrate the social fabric of Mackinac during a transformative era, as both French and British influences shaped the region’s culture and community dynamics.

Mackinac Marriage Records 1780-1789

Between 1781 and 1787, several marriages were solemnized at Mackinac, reflecting its diverse community and the interplay between civil and religious practices. The first recorded marriage, between Thomas Stone and Margaret Paterson, was officiated by Patrick Sinclair, marking a significant moment in Mackinac’s early history. Subsequent marriages included both French and Indigenous couples, highlighting the region’s cultural interactions. These ceremonies were conducted under various jurisdictions, with the signatures of notaries and witnesses affirming the community’s commitment to these unions.

Mackinac Marriage Records 1770-1779

Between 1773 and 1779, several marriages were recorded in the Catholic Church under the authority of the Vicar-General of Illinois, P. Gibault. These documents detail the mutual consent and blessings given to couples, including Sieur Hyacinthe Amelin and Marie Joseph Maingans, Francois Maurice de la Fantaisie and Marie Anne Cardin, and Joseph Ainsse and Therese Bondy, among others. The records also highlight the presence of family and friends during these ceremonies and include specific marriage contracts outlining property rights and inheritance considerations.

Mackinac Marriage Records 1760-1769

Between January 1760 and July 1768, several marriages were conducted at Michilimakinak, documented by various priests from the Society of Jesus. Notable unions include those of Michel Boier and Josette Margueritte de Lignon, and Gabriel Coté and Agathe Desjardins, whose marriage was later validated after a prior informal agreement due to the absence of clergy. Witnesses included community members and family, reflecting the social fabric of the time. Notably, there were no recorded marriages between 1764 and 1768, likely due to a lack of priests.

Mackinac Marriage Records 1750-1759

Between 1750 and 1759, numerous marriages were officiated by Jesuit missionaries at Michilimakina, reflecting the diverse community of soldiers and Indigenous peoples. Notable unions included Poncelet Batillo de Clermont and Francois Cardinal, along with others like Charles dit Chanteloups and Agnes. Many marriages involved widows and mixed heritage couples, highlighting the intertwining of European and Indigenous cultures. The records provide valuable insights into social structures and familial ties during this period, documenting both traditional practices and adaptations in a colonial context.

Early Mackinac Marriage Records 1725-1749

The Mackinac parish register, preserved at the island’s church, documents marriages from 1741 to 1821. The marriage records include transcriptions by Hon. Edward Osgood Brown, who presented a paper on the subject in 1889. This publication focuses specifically on marriages from 1725-1749, drawn from a now-lost older register. Despite some damage, it offers valuable insights into early colonial life. The compilation of marriages reflects the formalities and societal norms of the era while also documenting family connections in the region.