In
1295, France and Scotland signed a joint alliance and established
a close international relationship, including the reciprocal
exchange of citizenship. This alliance has profoundly affected
the social, intellectual, ecclesiastic and military life in
the two countries, even to this day.
Consequently,
it is not surprising to find that a large number of French/Scottish
families were established in France through the centuries,
and that many Franco-Ecossais were part of the history of
New France from the time of Jacques Cartier and Samuel de
Champlain.
The
last census reveals that 45% of the Scots in Quebec have French
as their mother tongue, that more than 50% are Catholic, and
that more than 75% were born in Quebec. While two fraternal
associations exist in Scotland and France for the maintenance
and cultivation of the multiple facets of this "Auld
Alliance", each group in Canada has pursued its own culture,
traditions, genealogy and history. As a result, it was decided
to revive l'Association Franco-Ecossais, which had existed
in Montreal from 1929 to 1939, but which became inactive during
the war. The Association offers to all francophones with Scottish
roots the means to discover their genealogy, their traditions
and their past, and to meet with others of similar background.
French
is the language of communication in the Association. An extensive
programme of genealogical and historical research, conferences,
film presentations, newsletters and many other activities
are envisioned. The subscription fee is $20.00 per year and
all requests for registration and information should be addressed
to the Association at the address below:
CONTACT:
Association Franco-Ecossaise
Romeo Vezina, President
1032 Laurier Avenue West,
Suite 200
Outremont, Québec H2V 2K8
Tel: 514-287-1485
Fax: 514-287-7575
E-Mail: rvezina@bellnet.ca
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