Alphonse
FONTENEAU dit DESMOULINS
Born: 9 September 1860 in Saint-Marcel-de-Richelieu, Canada East
Recorded occupation: Textile loom fixer/inventor
Georgiana FAVREAU 
Helpful background for understanding names and places that may appear in Alphonse's Québec records.
Québec has been described by several names during different periods of its history. Knowing the period name can make older records easier to recognize.
Thanks to Micheline Gadbois MacDonald for providing this information.
When the first settlers came to Québec from France, it was a custom to add a "dit" nickname to the surname. The English translation of "dit" is "said." Colonists of Nouvelle France used dit names as distinguishers. A settler might use one to differentiate a branch of the family from siblings, sometimes choosing a name connected with the place to which the family had relocated.
A dit name could also result from a casual adoption or from honoring the family that had raised someone. In other cases it identified the town or village in France from which the person originated. The custom ended around 1900, when people increasingly used only one name, either the dit nickname or the original surname.
Source: American-French Genealogical Society, Woonsocket, Rhode Island (www.afgs.org/ditnames/index1.html)
Photos, life events, and historical records for Alphonse FONTENEAU dit DESMOULINS.
Use these buttons to focus on the ancestor's own records or the wider historical context.
Birth — 1860
1868 - The typewriter is invented (Christopher Latham Sholes, United States)
1883 Marriage / Partner 1884 - Photographic film is invented (George Eastman, United States) 1891 - The zipper is invented (Whitcomb L. Judson, United States)1905 Birth of Child In 1906, Reginald Fessenden made the first AM radio broadcast on December 24th. This event marked a significant advancement in radio technology, paving the way for the modern broadcasting industry. 1913 - The assembly line is invented (Henry Ford, United States)1924 Marriage of Child 1934 - The metal beverage can is invented (American Can Co., United States) 1940 - April - 1st electron microscope demonstrated (RCA), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Death — 1942View charts and other tools for this ancestor and family.
Explore the birthplace and related genealogy.
Search for another person or explore genealogy by place.
Enter as much of the name as you know. Last name is required.
Enter a place and choose a match from the suggestions.
Search other genealogy websites using this ancestor's known name, dates, and places.
Sign in to open targeted searches for this ancestor on Find a Grave, FamilySearch, and other collections.
New to GreenerPasture? Joining is free.Explore local-history books, genealogy resources, and gifts connected with this ancestor's birthplace and family-history research.
Browse a few family-history favorites, or visit the shop to see the full collection.
Questions, Corrections & New Information
Ask a question or share a correction, source, or new detail about Alphonse FONTENEAU dit DESMOULINS.
When possible, include names, dates, places, and sources so the information is easier to verify.