WELCOME TO THE WEBSITE OF
THE PILET DIT JOLICOEUR ASSOCIATION

A little over three centuries ago on June 23, 1716, a young man barely 18 years old left the harbor of La Rochelle1 in France and sailed to the New France. He does not know what awaits him, except for a life that is much better than the one he had known on the streets of Paris and certainly, filled with adventure. Because Louis, the only known descendant of Jean Pilet and Marie Roussin of the parish of Saint-Étienne-du-Mont in Paris (the current 5th arrondissement), has just joined as a Soldier the Troupes de la Marine, units that ensure, among other things, the defense of the colonies (Canada, the Antilles and India).

This event, which was rather ordinary for the time, constitutes for us, the descendants of Louis Pilet and Thérèse Barbeau dit Boisdoré, his wife, the cornerstone of our family history, because it is here, on the North American continent, that we have forged our collective and individual identity in response to the various social, religious, political and economic constraints imposed by the course of history. From French, we became Canadians, then French-Canadians and finally Quebecers. For economic reasons, some have had to settle temporarily or permanently in other Canadian provinces or in the United States and learn English there. From Pilet, our original surname has transformed over the years into Pilet dit Jolicoeur and then to Jolicoeur. The Jolicoeur, who were soldiers or militiamen assigned to the defense of the colony in urban centers, later took part in the great wave of colonization of Québec and Canada territory to live on agricultural or forestry operations or to work in various trades. or commercial activities.

Thanks to their ingenuity, resourcefulness and tenacity at work, the Jolicoeur have been able to adapt to the different realities of life in their part of the country, mainly in Beauce, and to establish themselves in the local economy. All of these changes and adaptations are ingrained in our family subconscious and have helped make us who we are as a person and as a family in the broadest sense.

The Association des Pilet dit Jolicoeur was created for the very purpose of discovering and making known these strong moments of our family history and to highlight the witnesses and actors of what is called "the little story". The task is great because the information is scarce or difficult to find. In a well-structured group, however, we can pool our talents and achieve amazing results. Come and expand your knowledge of history, come and participate in the discovery of your family history and come to make it known.

Join the ranks of the Association des Pilet dit Jolicoeur.

Become part of a family within a family.