Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Modern flag of Acadia, adopted 1884. The Acadians (French: Acadiens) are the descendants of 17th and 18th century French settlers in parts of Acadia (French: Acadie) in the northeastern region of North America comprising what is now the Canadian Maritime Provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, the Gaspé peninsula in eastern Québec, and the Kennebec River in southern ...
Acadia was located in what is now Eastern Canada's Maritime provinces, as well as parts of Quebec and present-day Maine to the Kennebec River. It was ethnically, geographically and administratively different from the other French colonies such as the French colony of Canada. As a result, the Acadians developed a distinct history and culture. [8]
Acadian history was shaped by six colonial wars during the 17th and 18th centuries, culminating in the French and Indian War. This conflict led to the British Expulsion of the Acadians, forcing many into hiding or exile. Some returned to Acadia post-war, while others settled in France or migrated to Louisiana, where they became known as Cajuns. [2]
The French claimed that the Kennebec River formed the border between Acadia and New England, seen here on a map of Maine. Explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano is credited for originating the designation Acadia on his 16th-century map, where he applied the ancient Greek name "Arcadia" to the entire Atlantic coast north of Virginia. [10] "
The ancestors of the Acadians primarily originated from western France, including regions such as Touraine, Aunis, Saintonge, Charente, and Bas-Poitou (later known as Vendée). They also came from areas like Burgundy , Upper Brittany , the Basque Country , and Paris , among others. [ 2 ]
In 1859, the French author François-Edme Rameau de Saint-Père published La France aux colonies: Acadiens et Canadiens, the first of its two parts focusing on the history of the Acadians. Through this work, the Acadians discover the story of their people in their language. [1] Rameau remained deeply interested in the Acadians until his death.
Get AOL Mail for FREE! Manage your email like never before with travel, photo & document views. Personalize your inbox with themes & tabs. You've Got Mail!
The practice of genealogy is regarded as a significant aspect [25] of Acadian culture, with the responsibility of maintaining lineage typically entrusted to the eldest family member. However, with the advent of archival centers, the preservation of records has become a more formalized process. [ 49 ]