Francois-Xavier  AUDET dit LAPOINTE

Occupation

Francois-Xavier AUDET dit LAPOINTE was a Pilote.
The pilote, an expert in navigation, was the person who maneuvered and guided a ship. He worked alongside the ship's captain, communicating the ship's position and possible dangers to navigation (currents, islands, reefs, shallow water, etc.). To do this, he used navigation instruments such as the compass or the sextant. He checked his instruments daily and noted any significant observations.
Source: tfcq.ca

Navigating the St. Lawrence: A Glimpse into the Life of a Pilote in 18th Century New France

Québec Généalogie - What is a 'dit/dite' name?  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'. The Colonists of Nouvelle France added 'dit' names as distinguishers. A settler might have wanted to differentiate their family from their siblings by taking a 'dit' name that described the locale to which they had relocated. The acquiring of a 'dit' name might also be the result of a casual adoption, whereby the person wanted to honor the family who had raised them. Another reason was also to distinguish themselves by taking as a 'dit' name the town or village in France from which they originated. This custom ended around 1900 when people began using only one name, either the 'dit' nickname or their original surname.

Source: American-French Genealogical Society, Woonsocket, Rhode Island (www.afgs.org/ditnames/index1.html)