Gilles  PINEL dit LAFRANCE

Occupation

Gilles PINEL dit LAFRANCE was a Tonnelier.
The tonnelier, or cooper, manufactured barrels (large wooden receptacles generally used for storing liquids) from timber that was usually heated or steamed to make it pliable. Barrels had to be made of quality wood, free of defects and vermin. They also had to respect official gauges and be able to contain the quantity of wine, beer or brandy expected. Coopers were frequently linked, by blood or marriage, with brewers, taverns and wine merchants.
Source: tfcq.ca


Source: Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge, Massachusetts

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)