I can easily picture Catherine Marié (widowed for almost two years), sitting in Notary Public Pierre Laforce’s office, on this afternoon of the 12th day of October 1811, along with her eleven children: the elder, Jean-Baptiste, 25, married to Rosalie Bleau for three years; Michel, 24; Rose, 23, married to Joseph Forget-Depaty for two years; and the minor children: Catherine, 19*; Antoinette, 17; Hyacinthe, 15; Marie, 14; Charlotte, 12; Joseph, 11; Charles, 9; and François, 7. [*Note: The age of Catherine is estimated but the age of the other children is based on their actual birthdates.] Continue reading →