ChallengeAZ 2017—A Bangle Dictionary | Z for Zace

François-Xavier Zace joined the Bangle clan by marrying Elizabeth, daughter of William Bangle and Marie Tourville, on August 12, 1828, in Berthierville, Québec. Born in said town on January 18, 1809, he lost his father, Jean-André Szass, when he was just 2. His mother was Théotiste Hénault dit Canada. François-Xavier and Elizabeth had 11 children and their places of birth indicate how the family moved around—Berthierville, Bedford, Saint-Césaire, Stanbridge, and Terrebonne (Québec); Williston and Burlington (Vermont); and Bourbonnais and Kankakee (Illinois) where they settled about 1856. François-Xavier died in Bourbonnais on September 7, 1857.

The Bangle Files


The 2017 Challenge A to Z is proposed to the French community of bloggers by Sophie Boudarel of La Gazette des ancêtres

ChallengeAZ 2017—A Bangle Dictionary | Y for Y-DNA

Genetic genealogy is part of genealogy nowadays, but it certainly does not replace the paper trails—essential so that the relationship between two people may be proven. Nevertheless, I look forward to the day when we will have more Y-DNA tests done by male Bangle descendants to validate (or invalidate) relationships between different Bangle lines, i.e. those of Joseph, married to Theodate Yeaton; Philip, married to Polly Loing (both presumed sons of William and Marie Tourville); and Louis, married to Angélique Duhaut dit Jasmin (presumed son of John Bangle). While I’m waiting, I’m still digging in the archives.

The Bangle Files


The 2017 Challenge A to Z is proposed to the French community of bloggers by Sophie Boudarel of La Gazette des ancêtres

ChallengeAZ 2017—A Bangle Dictionary | X for Signature (or not)

It’s noteworthy that some of the Bangles of the first and second generations were able to sign their name. Did they know how to read and write though? This matter is somewhat challenging to elucidate. Here is a summary:

First Generation
Adam Bangle—Signed twice. Was too ill to sign his will a few months before his death.

Marie Davis—The mark “X” for her

Second Generation
John Bangle—Depending on what foot he got up in the morning, sometimes he signed, sometimes he didn’t.

William Bangle—Always the mark “X” for him

Catherine Bangle—She signed on various documents.

The Bangle Files


The 2017 Challenge A to Z is proposed to the French community of bloggers by Sophie Boudarel of La Gazette des ancêtres

ChallengeAZ 2017—A Bangle Dictionary | W for William

William Bangle was the first child of Adam and Marie to be born in America, on September 6, 1765, in Palatine, NY. He joined the King’s Royal Regiment of New York during the Revolutionary War. In 1786, at age 19, he arrived in Montreal and, at age 28, he married Marie Tourville, most probably in Terrebonne, Québec. The couple had twelve children. William’s occupations were diverse: miller, laborer, voyageur and farmer. William also owned a few lands in or near Terrebonne. His family later moved to the Berthierville and Joliette areas. William died on February 2, 1821, at age 55.

The Bangle Files


The 2017 Challenge A to Z is proposed to the French community of bloggers by Sophie Boudarel of La Gazette des ancêtres

ChallengeAZ 2017—A Bangle Dictionary | V for Visitor

The visitor we’re talking about here is Michael Flynn, 26, Irish and Catholic, a private of the British 37th Regiment of Foot which was stationed in Sorel in 1820. The house of John Bangle on King Street seems to have been a welcoming hangout for privates looking for a drink. When he knocked on John’s door on that September night, it seems that Michael had already had a glass too many. As he used a window to let himself in, John warned the intruder to get out. No use: John shot him and Michael Flynn died right on the spot.

The Bangle Files


The 2017 Challenge A to Z is proposed to the French community of bloggers by Sophie Boudarel of La Gazette des ancêtres

ChallengeAZ 2017—A Bangle Dictionary | U for Unique

Since I have started the Bangle Files, many people have asked me how I am related to this family. Marie Tourville, wife of William Bangle, is my first cousin, five times removed (or to put it simply, Marie’s father, Charles Tourville, married to Marguerite Dufour, is my five times great-uncle). That’s not what I would call a close relationship; however the history of this family is so unique that I have been quickly enraptured by its exploits and adventures. No doubt, this is a project of a lifetime. I dread the day I will have exhausted all sources available.

The Bangle Files


The 2017 Challenge A to Z is proposed to the French community of bloggers by Sophie Boudarel of La Gazette des ancêtres

ChallengeAZ 2017—A Bangle Dictionary | T for Terrebonne

About a 30-minute drive from Montréal today, the village of Terrebonne was the home of the Bangles. Adam Bangle and his wife Marie had bought a house in the heart of the village in the early 1790s. The families of John and Josephte Allaire, of William and Marie Tourville, and of Catherine and Jacob Smith also settled there—no surprise here as several Germans were living in the parish, as evidenced by the Catholic records. William was said to be miller in the early years. The historical site of Île-des-Moulins includes the bakery’s original building from 1803.

The Bangle Files


The 2017 Challenge A to Z is proposed to the French community of bloggers by Sophie Boudarel of La Gazette des ancêtres

ChallengeAZ 2017—A Bangle Dictionary | S for Sorel

At the turn of the 19th century, John Bangle’s family and mother, and later on, sister Catherine and Jacob Smith’s family, settled in Sorel. The Seignory of Sorel was bought by Governor Frederick Haldimand in 1781 to accommodate loyalists who came to Canada from America after the Revolutionary War in 1777. Various military regiments were stationed in Sorel. There was also an Invalid Establishment, mainly for loyalists, veterans, and their family. The town was once known as William Henry from 1787 to 1860, after His Royal Highness’ visit to the town. Afterwards, the place changed its name back to Sorel.

The Bangle Files


The 2017 Challenge A to Z is proposed to the French community of bloggers by Sophie Boudarel of La Gazette des ancêtres

ChallengeAZ 2017—A Bangle Dictionary | R for Religion

As you know, the Bangles joined the Dutch Reformed Church of Stone Arabia in 1765 in today’s New York State. By settling in Terrebonne, Québec, Catherine Bangle and Jacob Smith had their children baptized in the Catholic Church, but they never abandoned their faith. Neither did John and William, although their children, born to a Catholic mother, were baptized according to the Roman Catholic rites as well. The absence of a Protestant Church in Terrebonne, the social pressure, and maybe the insistence of the priest might explain why these three couples chose to have their children joined the Catholic Church.

The Bangle Files


The 2017 Challenge A to Z is proposed to the French community of bloggers by Sophie Boudarel of La Gazette des ancêtres

ChallengeAZ 2017—A Bangle Dictionary | P for Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has been a major gateway for German immigrants during the 18th century. Adam Bangle and his wife Marie Davis (and probably their son John as well) arrived in Philadelphia in the fall of 1764 aboard the Jennefer to start a new life. For the most part, an immigrant would be indentured upon his arrival in order to pay for the trip. We know that about ten months later, the family was settled along the Mohawk River. Interestingly enough, John Bangle, who fought in the Revolutionary War for New York, also appears on a muster roll for Pennsylvania in 1777.

The Bangle Files


The 2017 Challenge A to Z is proposed to the French community of bloggers by Sophie Boudarel of La Gazette des ancêtres