The Origins of the Association (1998)

For many years, the descendants of Noel Legault dit Deslauriers and Marie Besnard have researched their roots.  Exchanges of discoveries in the historical archives, librairies and Geneological Societies have been enhanced by research done on the Internet.  As a result, the creation of several research sites has permitted the Legaults and Deslauriers to verity their existing information and discover new one.  Numerous descendants of Noël and Marie have visited IRIVILLAC, a village in Finistère (meaning the end of the earth) located in Brittany in northwest France from where Noël left for New France near the end of the XVIIth century.  The interest in tracking our roots was further stimulated on February 13, 1993 in an article by Robert Prévost in the daily newspaper La Presse, having for a title, The Legaults and Deslauriers, A Common Source. 

In addition, the article emphasized the possibility of a meeting of the Legault and Deslauriers descendants in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, in 1998.  Unfortunately, two of the Legaults interviewed for the purpose of this article, Maurice and Conrad, passed away without seeing the creation of the association completed. But thanks to the names they provided and those identified by the sisters Marie and Mimi Le Goff of Irvillac, as well as from some of the descendants that had visited Noel’s native village and signed the Golden Book, it was possible to trace ancestors.  A first invitation was sent out in August of 1998 and the first meeting was held in Chateauguay.  Seven of the attendees accepted to form a provisional committee that would organize a reunion to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the marriage of the founding couple. Numerous scenarios were studied and that of November 15, 1998 was chosen.  At the meeting at Pointe-Claire, others joined the committee, resolutions were voted on and finally, in April 1999, we received the official documents from the Government of Quebec for the formation of the Association of Descendants of Noel Legault dit Deslauriers Inc.

1. It is interesting to note that this article was taken from the book “ Portrait de familles pionnières”  Volume 2, by the same author.

By Monique Legault (m. 001)

Origin the Coat of Arms

Signification:

On the left, the Ermine, the symbol of Brittany, Noël’s region of origin.

To the right, the White Lily on a dark blue background; the lily is the symbol of Quebec and New France. 

Below,  Diwanit Bugale – May you blossom, children.

The Coat of Arm sis the creation of Claude Legault and Jean Deslauriers.

Que naissent les enfants joyeux
Des montagnes jaunes
Avec la nostalgie des fêtes anciennes
Entre vos lèvres se trouve la vérité

Que naissent les enfants

Avec les yeux mouillés par le rire
Et les chagrins silencieux
Que naissent les enfants

Que naissent les enfants
Des luttes et de l’entente
Avec vos paroles sans détour
Et si belle votre manière
De parler cette langue
Qui m’échappe encore, hélas!