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Archiver > BELGIUM-ROOTS > 2001-05 > 0989428915


From: "Laura Edwards" <>
Subject: [BEL-R] Family Update & Question
Date: Wed, 9 May 2001 13:31:27 -0400
In-Reply-To: <1.5.4.32.20010501092710.0067b82c@pop.mindspring.com>


Hi everyone,

It's been sort of quiet on the list so I thought I would volunteer an update on my search for the
Family with the multiple french spellings!

My great grandmother's name was Justine Morinier (that is the spelling my grandmother used)
who was born in Belgium as well as her parents. Justine's family immigrated to France (?) and
then to Canada where she met up with my great grandfather, recently widowed. (It was
mentioned that Justine's family and Jules Nicolle's family knew each other in France). They were
married in 'Canada', which province, is still the mystery. In 1891, the family moved to Marquette
County, Michigan. From baptismal records, I know there was a Leopold Morinier and a Mathilde
Morinier. I wasn't sure what relationship they were to my great-grandmother. In my own search, I
couldn't find them anywhere in the 1900-1920 Federal census. I knew that Justine had a sister
and that she married a Borden.

(Does the mysteries of not knowing family names and where abouts keep anyone else from
sleeping?)

Anyway, I had all but exhausted very road to find them. My great grandfather's naturalization
records didn't provide any help. It's hard because of the different spellings. Legal documents
have Mourinier, Morinier, Mourineau, spellings. Other records have Marenior, Marenier,
Morignier. Nothing much of family history was passed down either in written or verbal form.

Just when I thought all was lost and dried up, I got an idea. I decided to hired a professional
genealogy researcher in Michigan for a couple of hours. Lo and behold, she found the sister of
my great grandmother!! Matilda married a Bourdon (not borden) in Delta county! Last known
residence was in Menonimee county. Also, a new spelling has been added to the family du jour,
Marinier. I'm wondering if I'll ever know the real spelling of my ancestors family name. So I'm
back on a new fresh trail. Since, the census states that Matilda was naturalized, I'm hoping to
find her naturalization records plus an obit and death record! My greatest discouragement would
be, after all the investment in time and money, is to find out "born in: Belgium, (or France)" with
no town name! That would be a nightmare!

Now, here is a question for all you Belgians. The French part of Belgium which is the Walloon
or Walloonia area: Was that ever part of France? And if so, when? What years?

thanks!

laura


laura of WV, USA
http://www.lauraloft.f2s.com

Researching my family:
France:NICOLLE,
Belgium: MORINIER, MOURINEAU, MOURINIER, MORIGNIER
Scotland: BROWN, GRAHAM, MATHEWS,GALBRAITH
Unknown:WINBIGLER, SIMPSON, CHILDERS

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