Hello there,
I have an elusive relative, my husband's great grandfather, who is not French Canadian but did live in Quebec for some 30 years (1844 - 1874) and we can find next to no trace of him there. I am not sure if you can help.
William HARRIS was born in Buckingham, England in 1826. He became a stone mason and came to Canada, landing in Quebec, aboard the 'St. Anne' along with other poor people from his hometown. Then he disappears ... or at least I have not found him! He next reappears in March 1874 when he marries Maria Ann PIERCE in Fitzroy Twp., Carleton County, Ontario, just over the river from Quebec. He is nowhere to be found on any Ontario census before that, so I believe he was working somewhere in Quebec until a job took him to Ontario one day and he met his future wife and stayed.
One small clue - a cabin in Quebec! William's son, William John HARRIS (1879 - 1952) lived most of his life in Fitzroy Twp. but spent a good bit of time in a remote cabin in the small hamlet of Grove Creek, Quebec which is 18 km northeast of Otter Lake. He later brought his own children there at times. The family had no money so I am wondering how they bought a little cabin? It could be that they did not buy it but inherited it from the elder William HARRIS, as this was his home before he went to Ontario in 1874. I am not sure how to connect this to William HARRIS ... by land records perhaps?
I am very unfamiliar with Quebec research. Perhaps you could tell me where I might find some hints as to where William HARRIS was living in those missing 30 years (1844 - 1874) as I am clueless about where to look. Thank you!!
Mary
Ontario