Terrien – Therrien – Thérien – Tarian – Pharmer – Farmer – Lander – Taylor

Book of Roger Therrien

I acquired the French biography written by Roger Therrien at the last ralliement in August 2011. The title is « Pierre Terrien et Gabrielle Mineau (Mignot) leur vie, leur famille et leur entourage ». It is at this rally, held in Saint-Eustache, that I became a member of the Board of Directors of the Association. In fact, it was a birthday gift, that I offered myself one month in advance. My father kept the book for a few months and he read it. Whenever he spoke to me and made me part of his reading, I did not say it, but I look forward that he finished and I can in turn discover the story of my ancestors who came in New France. What a pleasure to find this book I wanted so much to read indeed, you guess that I finally got my birthday gift late, but regardless, it was a great joy! Roger wrote me a short dedication wishing me a good reading, and well I can say that this was the case. This brief text attempts, in a simple way, to share with you my appreciation of the book.

Reading of the first few pages, my first impression was that this book was written with passion, rigor and methodology worthy of a renowned writer.

I have discovered among others the life of Pierre Terrien, his wife Gabrielle Mineau, their families and those of their children. Before learning about the beginning of their lives in New France, including their passage at Ile-aux-Grues and the continuation of the foundation of the family at Ile d’Orléans, I have learn many facts about the origin of our ancestors in France.

I have found of great interest, and a treat for the eyes to be able to view the contract of engagement, different deeds (concessions, acquisitions, exchange, succession, etc.), parish registers and certificates of births, deaths and burials of several ancestors. Paleographic texts, and in many cases the interpretation or summary of the documents, with appropriate details and a few historical notes allow to put everything in context.

I asked myself the question: what was the relationship between the different Terrien from France. Reading the book, I now know that there were some family ties, but I learned that links between neighbours were also of crucial importance for the development of individuals and families in New France.

If you are interested in genealogy, you will discover how Roger Therrien in some cases highlights the importance of knowing not only family relations, but also the neighbourhood relations that our ancestors had. It is a fact that he made me discover thanks to the rigour and research methodology that he used to write his book.

On several occasions, maps and inserts put in context the history described, which facilitates and enhances the understanding of the reading.

I discovered with great interest a family wealth, a large number of children whom some died in infancy, acquisitions of assets to increase the wealth of the family heritage, a way of life in the seigniorial system and the succession after the death of Pierre Terrien and Gabrielle Mineau.

If like me, you are interested in reading this book, even that I recommend it, you can get it either by contacting Roger Therrien at the following email address: rogertherrien4@videotron.ca or even by completing the order form located on the website of the Association at the following address.

My reading is not complete, in fact I have only read one-third. It remains the reading of the chapter on other Terrien came to New France as well as the chapter on the children of Pierre Terrien and Gabrielle Mineau.

It is to follow…

Sylvain Thérien