2.Everette Pierre
3.Jennifer Fameree-Anderson
4.Adele Fammeree
May 2009
When Problems surround us, when skies all seem gray,
when sunlight is hidden and joy far away;
The rainbow of faith stretches over the sky,
A token of Sunshine when clouds have passed by.
Happy Spring!
Here’s a story to commemorate all moms on Mother’s Day!
5.Agnes Fameree (My Mom)
* My Mother, My Friend *
The young mother set her foot on the path of life.
"Is this the long way?" asked the young mother as she set her foot on the path of life. And the Guide said:
"Yes, and the way is hard, and you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning."
The young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, she fed them and bathed them, taught them how to tie their shoes and ride a bike, and reminded them to feed the dog and do their homework and brush their teeth. The sun shone on them and the young mother cried,
"Nothing will ever be lovelier than this."
Then the nights came, and the storms, and the path was sometimes dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her arms. The children said,
"Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come."
And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary. But at all times she said to the children,
"A little patience and we are there."
So the children climbed and as they climbed they learned to weather the storms. And with this, she gave them strength to face the world. Year after year she showed them compassion, understanding, hope, but most of all unconditional love. And when they reached the top they said,
"Mother, we could not have done it without you."
The days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years. The mother grew old and she became little and bent. But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And the mother, when she lay down at night, looked up at the stars and said:
"This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned so much and are now passing these traits on to their children."
And when the way became rough for her, they lifted her, and gave her strength, just as she had given them hers. One day they came to a hill, and beyond the hill they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And Mother said,
"I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk with dignity and pride, with their heads held high, and so can their children after them." And the children said,
"You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates."
And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said,
"We cannot see her, but she is with us still."
A mother is more than a memory. She is a living presence. Your Mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, she's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick and perfume that she wore, she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not feeling well, she's your breath in the air on a cold winters day.
She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a rainbow, she is your birthday morning. Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop.
A mother shows through in every emotion - happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy, sorrow - and all the while hoping and praying you will only know the good feelings in life.
She's the place you came from, your first home, and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you.
Not time, not space - not even death!
We have lost another Family member.
It is with sadness in my heart to share with all the passing of
Charles LeCaptain
I received the following email from Charlie’s Daughter,
Susan LeCaptain-Deering
Hello,
I came across your wonderful Fameree website today-it is great
I wanted to share the passing of a wonderful man Charles LeCaptain son of Joseph and Odile Fameree LeCaptain. He was a special man and so kind. We will miss him greatly and are lucky to have had him for almost 92 years. Ellen Naze is the only living sibling now.
Charles children are Mary, Susan and Scott.
Sincerely, Susan LeCaptain Deering
The young mother set her foot on the path of life.
"Is this the long way?" asked the young mother as she set her foot on the path of life. And the Guide said:
"Yes, and the way is hard, and you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning."
The young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, she fed them and bathed them, taught them how to tie their shoes and ride a bike, and reminded them to feed the dog and do their homework and brush their teeth. The sun shone on them and the young mother cried,
"Nothing will ever be lovelier than this."
Then the nights came, and the storms, and the path was sometimes dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her arms. The children said,
"Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come."
And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary. But at all times she said to the children,
"A little patience and we are there."
So the children climbed and as they climbed they learned to weather the storms. And with this, she gave them strength to face the world. Year after year she showed them compassion, understanding, hope, but most of all unconditional love. And when they reached the top they said,
"Mother, we could not have done it without you."
The days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years. The mother grew old and she became little and bent. But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And the mother, when she lay down at night, looked up at the stars and said:
"This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned so much and are now passing these traits on to their children."
And when the way became rough for her, they lifted her, and gave her strength, just as she had given them hers. One day they came to a hill, and beyond the hill they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And Mother said,
"I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk with dignity and pride, with their heads held high, and so can their children after them." And the children said,
"You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates."
And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said,
"We cannot see her, but she is with us still."
A mother is more than a memory. She is a living presence. Your Mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, she's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick and perfume that she wore, she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not feeling well, she's your breath in the air on a cold winters day.
She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a rainbow, she is your birthday morning. Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop.
A mother shows through in every emotion - happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy, sorrow - and all the while hoping and praying you will only know the good feelings in life.
She's the place you came from, your first home, and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you.
Not time, not space - not even death!
We have lost another Family member.
It is with sadness in my heart to share with all the passing of
Charles LeCaptain
I received the following email from Charlie’s Daughter,
Susan LeCaptain-Deering
Hello,
I came across your wonderful Fameree website today-it is great
I wanted to share the passing of a wonderful man Charles LeCaptain son of Joseph and Odile Fameree LeCaptain. He was a special man and so kind. We will miss him greatly and are lucky to have had him for almost 92 years. Ellen Naze is the only living sibling now.
Charles children are Mary, Susan and Scott.
Sincerely, Susan LeCaptain Deering
His Soul Shall Dwell At Ease
Psalms 25:13
LeCaptain, Charles C.
Charles C. LeCaptain, 91, Green Bay, passed away peacefully Saturday, May 2, 2009, at St. Vincent Hospital. He was born Aug. 5, 1917, in the Town of Red River, Kewaunee County, to Joseph and Odile (Fameree) LeCaptain. Charles served three years in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a Technical Sergeant in a weather reconnaissance squadron in the European Theatre during World War II. He was awarded the Air Medal for flying in extremely adverse weather conditions. After returning home, he married Grace Fabry on Nov. 28, 1946. He retired from Bay West Paper Company in 1984 after 36 years of service.
Charles was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. He was a charter member of St. Agnes Parish and devoutly religious. He was a member of the Green Bay Golden K, the Experienced Traffic Club and the Royal Order of Pine Snakes. He was active with the Boy Scouts. Charles loved to golf and golfed every day until stopping for health reasons. He was an avid Packers fan and sat through the Ice Bowl. He was the kindest man we have ever known and will be sadly missed.
Survivors include three children, Mary LeCaptain and her special friend, Monica Gilboa, Albuquerque, N.M.; Susan Deering and her husband, Scot, De Pere; Scott LeCaptain and his wife, Jeanice, Green Bay; three grandchildren, Tricia (Larry) Garrison, Michael "Scottie" Deering, Christopher Deering; a great-granddaughter, Cassandra Grace Garrison; one sister, Ellen Naze; two brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law, Bernie and Pearl Neville, Jerome Robson, Helen LeCaptain and Denise LeCaptain.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace; two brothers, James and Jules LeCaptain; and a sister, Florence Robson.
Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1484 Ninth St. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Richard Getchel officiating. Military Honors will follow the funeral services. Entombment will be in Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum.
Blaney Funeral Home is assisting the family. To send on-line condolences, please visit www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.
The LeCaptain family extends a special thank you to Dr. Richards and the Emergency Room and 7th Floor staff of St. Vincent Hospital for their support and care.
My Sincerest Sympathies go out to Susan, Mary, Scott, Ellen & all the Family!
“To Err is Human”
Correction for March Edition, Picture # 16 I had it labeled as Mary Fameree-Pierre & it was Evelyn Fameree-Prokash, Sorry for the mistake!
May Birthdays (in date order)
Special Birthdays 5/1 Mary Ann Pierre-Johnson, 5/8 Everette Pierre, 5/15 Jennifer Fameree-Anderson
1
Germaine Jacobs 1904
Mary Krumdick 1937
Mary Ann Pierre 1954
Catherine Lieben 1956
Allyson Bennett 1965
Tricia Deering 1971
Joshua Jeffrey Routhieaux 1985
Anthony John Fameree 1990
2
Cynthia Cathryn Krahn 1950
Nelda Roseanna Kuula 1955
Laura Jean Okray 1962
Carlean Ann Maedke 1962
Martin Ashley Milton 1971
Nathan John Jandrin 1981
Jaclyn Marie Lardinois 1990
3
Shaefer William Oshefsky 1980
Jason Richard Quarters 1986
Jessica Marie Lamirande 2003
4
René Vandenbroeck 1916
Kurtis Joseph Rollin 1966
Ryan Kenneth Ropson 1980
Wendy Lee Dorner 1980
Cathylee Louise Villers 1984
Stacie Kae Fameree 1987
5
Gabriel H J Stranart 1913
David Palmer 1946
Judy Margaret Fameree 1954
Diane Marie Collin 1956
Brian John Ropson 1960
Susan Marie Majeski 1966
Kelly Lawrence Rollin 1969
Andre Benjamin Velasco 1993
Jeoffroy x 1994
6
Sandy Keiler 1961
Ryan Paul Mleziva 1988
Cal Wickman 1988
Jacob Holtom 1992
7
Nancy Louise Bickel 1950
Joseph Francis III Vlies 1957
Craig E. Koch 1957
Dana Marie Wilcox 1975
Nickolas James Routhieaux 1990
Cerice Crystal Lu Maye 1998
8
Everett Gabriel Pierre 1930
Adam Joseph Calaway 1978
Rhea Marie Laurent 1981
Nicholas William Cochart 1981
Matthew Joseph Vargo 1985
Kristin Renee Pierre 1987
9
Clarence Edsel Wery 1926
Carol Jo Bourgignon 1949
Ellen Barbara Vlies 1952
Nadine Simonart 1966
Jared Shaw 1999
10
Honore John Fameree 1912
Steven Calaway 1951
Kevin Joseph Calaway 1981
Andrew Michael Fameree 1984
11
Jessica Rosemary Bader 1974
Katie Josephine Dethardt 1984
Nn. Lemens 1996
12
Katherin Mary Vanness 1960
Kelly Renee Preston 1975
Lance Joseph Vlies 1984
Kami Vlies 1997
13
Pamela Anne Clifford 1935
David Donald Zima 1955
Ashley Rose Kickbush 1994
O'Shea Sylvan Schroedl 1996
14
Lorraine Vlies 1946
Gary Roland Ziesmer 1956
Charles John Dison 1963
Clinton Charles Villers 1980
Kenneth Mark Lemens 1989
15
Sharon Ann Dalebroux 1953
Gary Gerard Vanness 1954
Kathy Lee Englebert 1963
Jennifer Ann Fameree 1978
Justin Le Roy 1986
Mathew Shaw 1991
Sydney Marie Dison 1995
16
Mary Ann Vanness 1956
Lori Lea Fameree 1961
17
Judith Ann Tormoen 1947
Janette Vlies 1955
Murray Lang 1955
Randall Arthur Platz 1962
Jérôme Paule Josine Rigot 1966
18
Cassandra Grace Garrison 2007
Michael Steven Derenne 1957
Greg Kenneth Dorner 1959
Jessica Le Roy 1977
John Paul Thomas Kloiber 1979
Andrew Henry 1979
Scott Vandermeuse 1985
Amy Marie Delahaut 1986
Molly Marie Vargo 1989
19
Ryan Joseph Van Pay 1977
Cindy Marie DeVillers 1980
Ryan Elliott 1981
Jessica Teres Laurent 1985
20
Joel Edward Krautkramer 1959
Gregory Dean Vlies 1963
Melissa Mae Mindak 1973
Valentine A. Y. de Wouters d'Oplinter 1978
Adam Michael Cochart 1983
21
Sharon Lou Collin 1958
Mary Elizabeth Fameree 1959
Christopher Vanness 1982
Micah Jean Seipel 1986
Adam Ervin Villers 1990
22
Mae Jane Collin 1935
Ardella Mary Lemens 1937
Miles Steven Shaw 1970
Nathan Mitchel Derenne 1987
Kimberly Hanna Vidler 1992
Tyler Marie Jandrin 1992
23
Doreen Vlies 1918
Stephen Philip Gengler 1988
24
Jill Marie DeGroot 1976
Amy Jandrin 1981
Cheyne Kitchen 1983
25
Andrew Francis Pabick 1979
26
John Pelishek 1962
Sandra Ruthann (Sandy) Laurent 1967
Jeri Lynn Lemens 1984
Theresa Marie Brownson 1985
Colten C. Kasbohm 1996
27
Norman David Vincent 1914
Kathleen Julia Vlies 1924
David Elmer Laurent 1952
Jillain Marie Collin 1952
Victor Lee Herrick 1982
Chris Joseph Skaletski 1983
Douglas Michael Darby 1985
28
Ann Louise Buhr 1956
Micheal Anthony Fameree 1957
Kevin Gerard Jandrin 1960
Ralph Fernandez 1962
Matthew Michael Gallagher 1972
Bobbie Jo Vlies 1982
Francis David Chaudoir 1987
Jean Claude Chaudoir 1987
Kylee Ann Fameree 2001
29
Maurice Jean-Baptiste De Decker 1925
Curtiss Bernard Fameree 1953
Jillaine Mary Buhr 1955
Michelle Therese Lemens 1961
Ann Marie Steede 1962
Jacob Abramson 1979
30
Karen Ann Soquet 1949
Joseph Schroedl 1958
Josephine Therese Wittlin 1961
Laurie Ann Pierre 1963
Brandon James Mindak 1974
Chad Wotachek 1979
31
Mary Ann Vlies 1937
Dennis Lee LaLuzerne 1950
Randolph Robert Klosterman 1951
John Thomas Fameree 1973
Anna Madeline Lamirande 2005
Happy Birthday / Bon Anniversaire to all
Richard's Thoughts
5.5.09
La fille de l'eau
La fille de l'eau, your petals are palest.
Here you are a chalice
and here a narrow sarcophagus diligently cut and dressed in frost,
vested in silk, pampered and pinned.
For the few months I was Vermeer,
your profile confused even the contentious God.
You wore orchids and chamomile. You chose afternoons.
Your tears found the font of my pillow.
After I wept at your knees, your taste was furtive and alluvial as rain.
Rain nourishes everything but history.
This is our secret, and the secret of trees.
Your poetess is Ophelia and your eyelids, her relic.
Le vent est de nouveau dans les arbres, et tu est inviolable.
La fille de l'eau [#32]
© 2009 Fammerée
Richard & Rachel have been very busy with their performances, teaching & raising little Miss Sunshine.
Richard would like all our Family to please visit the myspace link below to experience a great treat!!!
http://www.myspace.com/famereetree
PLEASE SEND PHOTOS TO EITHER RICHARD OR MYSELF SO WE CAN ATTACH THEM
Blessings to all our dear family, Adele, Rachel, Richard
http://fammeree.blogspot.com
Please visit Richards blogsite as well as ours, the only difference being the double M's
"The Responders"
I received a few emails this past month, I will share…
1st My Neice Jamie Fameree-Elliott wrote
LOVE the Belgian pie recipes!!!!! Now, will I ever make them?? That could be a goal of a fun bunco night that I have at my house this summer :)
By the way, I'm in a culture class, and I'm obviously going to do something about us Belgians...so I may need some help from you. I'll check the blog, but I'm not sure of what I'm expected to do yet (project is due in a couple weeks), so I might be contacting you with some questions :) Talk to you soon~Jamie
I replied
I'm glad you like the updates!
I thought we could all get together sometime & make some pies as well, carry on the tradition.
Maybe at thanksgiving time instead of cookie decorating...
I'm always available to talk heritage.
Jo-Anne used to have PaPa speaking Belgian & translations on tape; I will ask her if she still has it.
UWGB has a website & there is a whole section devoted to belgian heritage, there are pictures of some of the log structures by PaPa's in it.
& there is also the Belgian American club.
Here is some info that may come in handy for your research.
HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION
The earliest record of a Belgian coming to northeastern Wisconsin is that of Father Louis
Hennepin who came as a missionary travelling with LaSalle’s exploring expedition in
1678-1679.
Wisconsin became the thirtieth State in the Union with President Polk’s signature on May
29, 1848. Lead mining in the southwestern counties was then the major source of
livelihood in the state.
In the 1850s, Wisconsin maintained an “immigration official” in New York city. His job
was established to recruit settlers and to help new arrivals to their destination. He
advertised in the European press by sending them printed material such as pamphlets,
posters an booklets which gave information about the opportunities available in
Wisconsin. One poster read:
Come! In Wisconsin all men are free and equal before the law. Religion is free
and equal between church and state. Opportunities are unlimited for those who
want to work. Good land can be purchased from the generous American
government for $1.25 an acre. The soil is adapted to raising corn, wheat, rye,
oats, barley and vegetables.
Cheap land and freedom drew the small land holders from Europe to the New World. The
largest exodus of European emigrants to the United States occurred between the years
1853 and the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. The major ports of embarkation were
Antwerp, Belgium; LaHavre, France; and Bremen or Hamburg, Germany. The price of a
ticket from Antwerp to America was $35 for each person above twelve years of age.
Emigrants brought their own bedding and provisions to last for a minimum of six weeks.
Many landed at the ports of New York and/or Quebec.
The first group of ten Belgian families, fifty people, who came to northeastern Wisconsin
emigrated from the province of Brabant, Belgium. They left Antwerp for New York on a
three-masted schooner, the Quennebec, on May 18, 1853, along with other emigrants
from Holland. There were many storms and their voyage was a hard one. In one storm the
main mast snapped off and was carried away, but the old ship continued onward for
seven weeks, and arrived in New York on July 5. During the last week there was a
shortage of food and drinking water.
The ten Belgian families did not have a specific destination in mind when they left home
because the pamphlet they had read referred only to the cheap land and opportunities
available in “America”. On the ocean voyage they decided to accompany their new
friends, the Hollanders, to their destination in Wisconsin. From New York they traveled
on canal boats and lake steamers and eventually arrived in Milwaukee. The Hollanders
were headed for a Dutch settlement near Sheboygan and the Belgians went with them.
Here they found that they were unable to converse with the people and very little good
Historical and Genealogical Information on our Belgian Ancestors Page 7
land remained unclaimed. They met a French-Canadian who told them that in Green Bay,
nearly one-half of the population was French and that most of the land in the area had not
been claimed. Shortly thereafter, they left for Green Bay and upon their arrival in late
August they were pleased to find that they could communicate with many of the local
people and that land was readily available.
The men left their families in Green Bay while they went south looking for land. They
decided to settle along the Fox River near the present city of Kaukauna, and their claims
were entered in the government land office in Menasha. Then they returned to Green Bay
to get their families. Upon their arrival in Green Bay, they learned that a five-year-old
son of one of the immigrants had died the day before and they prepared for his burial. At
his funeral, the local priest was visited by his friend, Father Edward Daems, pastor of a
frontier parish at Bay Settlement. Father Daems was a young, friendly, energetic and
enthusiastic Belgian who spoke French and Belgian. The elated settlers flocked around
him. He said that they should come to his parish, that he would help them find good land
and that they could attend mass in their own language. This appealed to the wives as well
as the men so they cancelled their prior land claims, and with the help of Father Daems,
they staked out land claims about ten miles northeast of Bay Settlement (4 miles south of
Dykesville) in the area now known as Green Bay township in northeastern Brown
County. The Belgians called this area “Aux premier Belges”. The first winter was mild
and the hunting was excellent. Toward spring the friendly Indians taught them the
practice of tapping maple trees to make maple sugar. Their letters to Belgium were filled
with enthusiasm.
More Belgian emigrants left for northeastern Wisconsin in 1854 and 1855. Many had
been encouraged and recruited by the Antwerp ship owners who glowingly recommended
that area as one of the best localities suited for Belgian settlement. However, some of the
1854 group carried Cholera germs and that fall man of the cabins were filled with sick,
and dying people. Because of the large parish and the absence of roads, the priest could
attend only a few of the many burials, so most of the victims were attended by relatives
and buried in the woods without the rites of the church. It was a sad time for the Belgian
pioneers, but the news of this did not reach Belgium for some time. Meanwhile, many
poor villagers and small landholders living and working on large estates in Belgium
where trying to save enough money to emigrate. In Belgium, they worked for a few cents
a day. For cutting, binding and hauling grain for the estates they received every twentieth
shock, and for thrashing by hand with a flail they got every twentieth bushel.
In 1856, the year when the largest number emigrated, thousands of Belgians from the
province of Brabant left for Wisconsin and most of them settled in the present counties of
northeast Brown, Kewaunee and southern Door. It was a stormy spring. One vessel with
its cargo of emigrants was wrecked at sea and everyone aboard perished. Dysentery broke
out on the “David Otley” and sixty out of the two hundred on board died and were buried
at sea. Another ship, the “Lacedemon” was soon crippled and had to return to port for
repairs.
Historical and Genealogical Information on our Belgian Ancestors Page 8
Ferdinand Delveaux and his son, Constant, were passengers on the Lacedemon. Constant,
who died in 1923 at the age of 93, left a report of their trip. Information obtained from the
Constant Delveaux report follows.
They left Antwerp on March 18, 1856 after a two day wait in port. (The Pierre ancestors
left there on the “Julia Howard” in March of 1856). When about ten miles out, a savage
storm broke most of the three masts on their ship and they had to return to port for
repairs. The repairs took twenty-three days; then they started out again and had smooth
sailing to the port of Quebec, Canada. There they transferred to a boat that took them to
Toronto. At Toronto they boarded railroad cars which took them to Lake Michigan; then
they sailed to Green Bay.
When the Delveaux family arrived in Green Bay there were only a few houses. A priest
in Belgium had given them a letter for a lawyer named Houte who gave them a township
plot on the northern fringe of the Belgian Settlement, and who told them to contact a Mr.
Rickare (Rickard) for help in finding the location of their lands. Mr. Rickard lived near
Red River. With his compass he led them through the deep woods to the present township
of Brussels and found the corner of their land. Four Belgian families were in this group
and they were the first settlers in the present township of Brussels. Thirty other families
arrived to settle in the township later in 1856, followed by thirteen more in 1857, and
three in 1858 including Alexander Meunier, Alexander and Francois Pierre and their
mother.
Constant recalled that in 1867 the wife of a neighbor died and they carried her all the way
to Bay Settlement to be buried in the cemetery. However, in 1866, Father Curt buried the
first person from their area at Namur.
Historical and Genealogical Information on our Belgian Ancestors Page 9
HOW BELGIANS OBTAINED THEIR LAND
Belgians who came in 1855 and 1856 often went to the land office and asked to be
assigned land in the general area of the Belgian Settlement. After they paid a small
preemption claim entry fee, the clerk assigned them forties of land. This unusual
procedure was due to a great influx of immigrants who knew nothing about U.S. land
surveys. New groups, guided by an earlier immigrant, would walk away sixty or more
miles to Mehasha to get descriptions of the lands allotted them by a land agent. They
would then return to Bay Settlement and wait for land cruiser Rickard to locate their
lands. Armed with a compass he would walk into the deep woods, through swamps and
underbrush, with small groups of new arrivals and point out a tree that was the northwest
corner of each new owner’s land. Each settler would carry an ax, a gun, blankets and
food. After locating a land owner’s corner, they would mark it by chopping down trees at
that point so that the property owner could find it again.
The first settlers did not always get the best land because the land surveyors had done a
very poor job of describing the soil conditions. Many of the areas that were marked
“swamp land” and avoided by the land agents were actually some of the best farmlands.
For example, 120 acres of the Pierre home farm on the south side of the road was listed
as swamp land.
In 1857 and later, immigrants often went to see their friends who had arrived earlier.
Then they were able to select land and stay on it as squatters until they found it
convenient to go to the land office and file their claims.
Preemption lands bought before the Homestead Law of 1862 were supposed to be sold by
the government for $1.25 per acre. However, the surveyors who had erroneously shown
so much swamp land in the area also listed much of the remaining land as being of
inferior quality. Because of these errors, most of the early Belgian settlers were only
charged fifty or seventy-five cents an acre. After making their claim, they had only two
years in which to pay for the land, then they received their government deeds. The men
would walk to Menasha in groups to pay for their land and get their deeds. The largest
group of thirty-two men, including Francois Pierre, Gabriel DeKeyser and Alexander
Meunier (our ancestors) marched off to Menasha to get their deeds on May 2, 1859. The
trip took close to a week, but most of the men enjoyed the companionship, the lunches
and the beers along the way. At Green Bay, they crossed the Fox River on a ferry. The
first bridge was built there, near the present Walnut Street bridge, in 1862.
Among the records in the office of Register of Deeds for Door County, the following
early preemptions of land are of special interest
Jamie then replied
I think that would be a great idea;)
This is awesome information...I'll have to have my project by next week Wednesday, so you may be hearing from me.
Hey Jeanne,
Where'd this information come from?? It's so interesting...I can't believe I hadn't read about it before! I want to use some of this information, but I have to know where to reference it to. I think my professor will be really interested...and I'm pretty sure I'm the only Belgian in the class:) Awesome!
I responded
Hope This Helps!!
J
Historical and Genealogical Information on our Belgian Ancestors
By Joseph J. Pierre and Mary A. Pierre
Second Edition 1976
Historical and Genealogical Information on our Belgian Ancestors Page 2
INTRODUCTION
My name is Scott Crevier (b.07-Nov-1962). As the title page shows, this book was
written by Joseph J. Pierre and Mary A. Pierre. Mary is the daughter of Joseph and his
wife Odile Le Grave. Odile is my first cousin twice removed. I have decided to convert
this volume into electronic format so that all members of my family tree can benefit from the hard work and information gathered by Joseph and Mary Pierre in the 1970s
Then Came an email from Karen Kaczmarek-Lamirande
Hey Jean:
Thanks for keeping me in the loop. I really enjoy reading this info. If you ever come across some pictures of my mom, feel free to share. Here is some information on my family. Let me know what else you want me to share.
Patrick Edward Lamirande (11/11/70)
Karen Marie Kaczmarek Lamirande (12/18/69)
Pat and I were married on 10/2/99
Our kids are:
Jessica Marie Lamirande (5/3/03)
Anna Madeline Lamirande (5/31/05)
Natalie Claire Lamirande (7/3/06)
Ever wonder what your mom and dad are doing now that they are together again?? Doesn’t it just make you smile?? Hope things are going well! Karen
I replied
Hey Karen,
I’m so glad you enjoy the blog & that you wrote to me.
It was very nice to see you & your whole family at Dad's wake & funeral.
It had been so long since I had seen you guys.
Thanks for updating me on your family.
I would love to see pictures!!!& maybe a little get to know your cousin paragraph.
What you do for a living & you can keep it vague if you wish, like I work for a steel company in credit & collections, or I travel for work alot,
I like to do crafting, making cards & bracelets & paper boxes.
My children are so talented they do this...
We love to go on Family trips to Disney...
Things like that.
Mom & Dad, I wonder all the time, He couldn't wait to meet up with her again! It consumed his living thoughts, since Mom died!!!
I often wonder if it is as they say it is that we go thru our whole lives as if in a review format & when we arrive at this higher level, are we greeted by all our past loved ones & it's this huge reunion...
I don't know Karen, I always wished that Mom & now Dad come to me in my dreams & give me a clue about it all.
Well, I'm going to try & send you pictures of your Mom & hopefully you can share with the rest of your Family.
PS, I'm not sure if Tom or Chris get the email notifications any longer.
Maybe you can encourage them to snd the little synopsis of their life as well...Take good Care. Sincerely, Jeanne
Next Nicole Fameree-Gall Wrote
I just want to tell you how much I appreciate your site and how you keep us all up-to-date on events, birthdays, losing loved ones, and just general information. Thanks! :)
I then wrote
I'm so glad you like the Family site,
The last 2 have been very difficult for me, so I'm very grateful when cousins like yourself participate & help me with information to input.
Hey, aren't you expecting a baby within a couple months?, It would be real cool if I could publish a pic of your ultrasound???
I wanted to separate Kalix & Deziah so they had there own picture for their birthday, but I was not certain who was who & ran short of time to put it in for the April, so I played it safe & input your whole family.
I hope all is well with you with your husband so far away; it has to be extremely difficult, especially being pregnant with all the emotions running ammuck...
Write back anytime, I truly love to hear from you & appreciate your feedback.
Sincerely, Jeanne
Nicole’s response
Our baby girl is actually due mid-May (although I'm hoping she will make her grand appearance sometime towards the end of this month...I'm so tired of being pregnant). It has been a bit of a difficult pregnancy and as you stated my "emotions running a muck" and Jeff being gone hasn't made it any easier. Fortunately my love will be coming home for a visit next month, so Kalix and I are definitely looking forward to that.
...it would be nice to meet you. If not, maybe our paths will cross at a family gathering in Wisconsin. :)
I hope that you will have a Happy Easter and that your family is doing well. Take care!
Next from Mary Ann Pierre-Johnson
Jeanne
I wanted to tell you the photo on the family blog site #16 that you have labeled as Mary Famaree Pierre is really my auntie Evelyn Famaree Prokash--Mary's sister.
Have a happy Easter. Mary Ann
I replied
Oh, I'm so sorry!!! That was a cropped picture. & the original was with your Dad & all the Pierre brothers & my Dad, I have seen Evelyn many times & I thought for sure this was Mary... sorry Maybe you could scan one of Mary & i'll put in next months as a retraction.. MY BAD. Happy Easter to you & yours. Jeanne
Then Harriet Collin-Ducat sent the next email
Happy Easter to all the relatives, enjoy your day with family and friends
Then Kathy Ducat wrote
Hope you are doing well.
We have a new member in our family - Evelyn Rose Ducat was born 3/30/09
to Phil and Deanna Ducat. Evelyn shares my dad's birthday. No greater
birthday gift than that of a new grandchild! Much happy, Kathy
I then wrote a note to Richard,Rachel & Adele
Just got back from Ohio, sorry I didn't get back to you sooner but phone was off the whole time.
Hope your Dad is doing well & I'm glad we got a frontal view of Adele this time she is SO Beautiful ...Sincerely, Jeanne
Richard responded
Thank you, dearest Jeanne. We love and miss you and Dan! My Dad is hanging in there. Love, R R A
Next is my response to Susan LeCaptain-Deering’s email regarding the passing of her Father.
I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to you & your Family!
I just returned from a vacation & received the sad news while I was leaving.
I will definitely be including the Obituary in my next posting in our Family Blogsite, That's if I can retrieve it from the GB Press.
I am so glad that you found the site & reached out to me.
I remember your Dad, Jule, Norris & Florence visiting with my Dad, Most vivid in my mind was when Jule would visit from Florida & my Dad would drop everything to play as they liked to refer to as "cut put" which in Belgian meant 4 pots ( of the favorite Belgian card game called Qu-yo (spelled phonetically)?
I really feel bad that I never made contact with you nor your siblings. I contacted Ellen & have been sending her the snail mail version of the Virtual Family Reunion as we have titled our Blogsite. She mentioned that she lived in the same complex as Charlie & I had asked her to share the newsletter with him, however she never mentioned his Children nor Grandchildren...
She came to my Dad's funeral this past March with Florence's Daughter Jane ( who brought me a couple pictures to scan & then I returned them to her.
I will include you in my list to notify of our blog updates & of Family events.
Please feel free to share a little of you & your family(siblings,spouses,children & grandchildren.
I am always so happy to meet new family members & to share this link with all.
Take care Susan & if their are any Family members in your address book you think may want to be included send the list to me or forward my email to them.
The blogsite link is http://fameree.blogspot.com Sincerely, Jean Fameree-Miller
Susan then replied
Hello Jean,
Thank you for responding so quickly!
I did not realize your Dad was Jule-my condolences to you and your family. He was such an interesting man. We took my Dad on rides in the country and always had to stop to say hi to him! My Dad felt really badly he could not attend the funeral. I am so glad Ellen and Jane went-they are such lovely people
(of course they are Famerees!!)
I will forward your blog site to my Sister Mary and Brother Scott.
I live near GreenBay with my husband Scot. We have been married since just out of high school for 40 years this December. We have 3 children:Tricia dob 5-1-1970/her husband Larry Garrison and our only grandchild so far-Cassandra Grace Garrison dob 5-18-2007, 2 sons Scott dob 3-23-1982 and Christopher 6-10-1985. Our son Christopher is back from Iraq after serving 2 tours in Iraq with the Marines. He is out now and will be starting college this fall.
Again thank you for this great site! Sue Deering(LeCaptain)
Psalms 25:13
LeCaptain, Charles C.
Charles C. LeCaptain, 91, Green Bay, passed away peacefully Saturday, May 2, 2009, at St. Vincent Hospital. He was born Aug. 5, 1917, in the Town of Red River, Kewaunee County, to Joseph and Odile (Fameree) LeCaptain. Charles served three years in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a Technical Sergeant in a weather reconnaissance squadron in the European Theatre during World War II. He was awarded the Air Medal for flying in extremely adverse weather conditions. After returning home, he married Grace Fabry on Nov. 28, 1946. He retired from Bay West Paper Company in 1984 after 36 years of service.
Charles was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend. He was a charter member of St. Agnes Parish and devoutly religious. He was a member of the Green Bay Golden K, the Experienced Traffic Club and the Royal Order of Pine Snakes. He was active with the Boy Scouts. Charles loved to golf and golfed every day until stopping for health reasons. He was an avid Packers fan and sat through the Ice Bowl. He was the kindest man we have ever known and will be sadly missed.
Survivors include three children, Mary LeCaptain and her special friend, Monica Gilboa, Albuquerque, N.M.; Susan Deering and her husband, Scot, De Pere; Scott LeCaptain and his wife, Jeanice, Green Bay; three grandchildren, Tricia (Larry) Garrison, Michael "Scottie" Deering, Christopher Deering; a great-granddaughter, Cassandra Grace Garrison; one sister, Ellen Naze; two brothers-in-law and three sisters-in-law, Bernie and Pearl Neville, Jerome Robson, Helen LeCaptain and Denise LeCaptain.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace; two brothers, James and Jules LeCaptain; and a sister, Florence Robson.
Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1484 Ninth St. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Richard Getchel officiating. Military Honors will follow the funeral services. Entombment will be in Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum.
Blaney Funeral Home is assisting the family. To send on-line condolences, please visit www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com.
The LeCaptain family extends a special thank you to Dr. Richards and the Emergency Room and 7th Floor staff of St. Vincent Hospital for their support and care.
My Sincerest Sympathies go out to Susan, Mary, Scott, Ellen & all the Family!
“To Err is Human”
Correction for March Edition, Picture # 16 I had it labeled as Mary Fameree-Pierre & it was Evelyn Fameree-Prokash, Sorry for the mistake!
May Birthdays (in date order)
Special Birthdays 5/1 Mary Ann Pierre-Johnson, 5/8 Everette Pierre, 5/15 Jennifer Fameree-Anderson
1
Germaine Jacobs 1904
Mary Krumdick 1937
Mary Ann Pierre 1954
Catherine Lieben 1956
Allyson Bennett 1965
Tricia Deering 1971
Joshua Jeffrey Routhieaux 1985
Anthony John Fameree 1990
2
Cynthia Cathryn Krahn 1950
Nelda Roseanna Kuula 1955
Laura Jean Okray 1962
Carlean Ann Maedke 1962
Martin Ashley Milton 1971
Nathan John Jandrin 1981
Jaclyn Marie Lardinois 1990
3
Shaefer William Oshefsky 1980
Jason Richard Quarters 1986
Jessica Marie Lamirande 2003
4
René Vandenbroeck 1916
Kurtis Joseph Rollin 1966
Ryan Kenneth Ropson 1980
Wendy Lee Dorner 1980
Cathylee Louise Villers 1984
Stacie Kae Fameree 1987
5
Gabriel H J Stranart 1913
David Palmer 1946
Judy Margaret Fameree 1954
Diane Marie Collin 1956
Brian John Ropson 1960
Susan Marie Majeski 1966
Kelly Lawrence Rollin 1969
Andre Benjamin Velasco 1993
Jeoffroy x 1994
6
Sandy Keiler 1961
Ryan Paul Mleziva 1988
Cal Wickman 1988
Jacob Holtom 1992
7
Nancy Louise Bickel 1950
Joseph Francis III Vlies 1957
Craig E. Koch 1957
Dana Marie Wilcox 1975
Nickolas James Routhieaux 1990
Cerice Crystal Lu Maye 1998
8
Everett Gabriel Pierre 1930
Adam Joseph Calaway 1978
Rhea Marie Laurent 1981
Nicholas William Cochart 1981
Matthew Joseph Vargo 1985
Kristin Renee Pierre 1987
9
Clarence Edsel Wery 1926
Carol Jo Bourgignon 1949
Ellen Barbara Vlies 1952
Nadine Simonart 1966
Jared Shaw 1999
10
Honore John Fameree 1912
Steven Calaway 1951
Kevin Joseph Calaway 1981
Andrew Michael Fameree 1984
11
Jessica Rosemary Bader 1974
Katie Josephine Dethardt 1984
Nn. Lemens 1996
12
Katherin Mary Vanness 1960
Kelly Renee Preston 1975
Lance Joseph Vlies 1984
Kami Vlies 1997
13
Pamela Anne Clifford 1935
David Donald Zima 1955
Ashley Rose Kickbush 1994
O'Shea Sylvan Schroedl 1996
14
Lorraine Vlies 1946
Gary Roland Ziesmer 1956
Charles John Dison 1963
Clinton Charles Villers 1980
Kenneth Mark Lemens 1989
15
Sharon Ann Dalebroux 1953
Gary Gerard Vanness 1954
Kathy Lee Englebert 1963
Jennifer Ann Fameree 1978
Justin Le Roy 1986
Mathew Shaw 1991
Sydney Marie Dison 1995
16
Mary Ann Vanness 1956
Lori Lea Fameree 1961
17
Judith Ann Tormoen 1947
Janette Vlies 1955
Murray Lang 1955
Randall Arthur Platz 1962
Jérôme Paule Josine Rigot 1966
18
Cassandra Grace Garrison 2007
Michael Steven Derenne 1957
Greg Kenneth Dorner 1959
Jessica Le Roy 1977
John Paul Thomas Kloiber 1979
Andrew Henry 1979
Scott Vandermeuse 1985
Amy Marie Delahaut 1986
Molly Marie Vargo 1989
19
Ryan Joseph Van Pay 1977
Cindy Marie DeVillers 1980
Ryan Elliott 1981
Jessica Teres Laurent 1985
20
Joel Edward Krautkramer 1959
Gregory Dean Vlies 1963
Melissa Mae Mindak 1973
Valentine A. Y. de Wouters d'Oplinter 1978
Adam Michael Cochart 1983
21
Sharon Lou Collin 1958
Mary Elizabeth Fameree 1959
Christopher Vanness 1982
Micah Jean Seipel 1986
Adam Ervin Villers 1990
22
Mae Jane Collin 1935
Ardella Mary Lemens 1937
Miles Steven Shaw 1970
Nathan Mitchel Derenne 1987
Kimberly Hanna Vidler 1992
Tyler Marie Jandrin 1992
23
Doreen Vlies 1918
Stephen Philip Gengler 1988
24
Jill Marie DeGroot 1976
Amy Jandrin 1981
Cheyne Kitchen 1983
25
Andrew Francis Pabick 1979
26
John Pelishek 1962
Sandra Ruthann (Sandy) Laurent 1967
Jeri Lynn Lemens 1984
Theresa Marie Brownson 1985
Colten C. Kasbohm 1996
27
Norman David Vincent 1914
Kathleen Julia Vlies 1924
David Elmer Laurent 1952
Jillain Marie Collin 1952
Victor Lee Herrick 1982
Chris Joseph Skaletski 1983
Douglas Michael Darby 1985
28
Ann Louise Buhr 1956
Micheal Anthony Fameree 1957
Kevin Gerard Jandrin 1960
Ralph Fernandez 1962
Matthew Michael Gallagher 1972
Bobbie Jo Vlies 1982
Francis David Chaudoir 1987
Jean Claude Chaudoir 1987
Kylee Ann Fameree 2001
29
Maurice Jean-Baptiste De Decker 1925
Curtiss Bernard Fameree 1953
Jillaine Mary Buhr 1955
Michelle Therese Lemens 1961
Ann Marie Steede 1962
Jacob Abramson 1979
30
Karen Ann Soquet 1949
Joseph Schroedl 1958
Josephine Therese Wittlin 1961
Laurie Ann Pierre 1963
Brandon James Mindak 1974
Chad Wotachek 1979
31
Mary Ann Vlies 1937
Dennis Lee LaLuzerne 1950
Randolph Robert Klosterman 1951
John Thomas Fameree 1973
Anna Madeline Lamirande 2005
Happy Birthday / Bon Anniversaire to all
Richard's Thoughts
5.5.09
La fille de l'eau
La fille de l'eau, your petals are palest.
Here you are a chalice
and here a narrow sarcophagus diligently cut and dressed in frost,
vested in silk, pampered and pinned.
For the few months I was Vermeer,
your profile confused even the contentious God.
You wore orchids and chamomile. You chose afternoons.
Your tears found the font of my pillow.
After I wept at your knees, your taste was furtive and alluvial as rain.
Rain nourishes everything but history.
This is our secret, and the secret of trees.
Your poetess is Ophelia and your eyelids, her relic.
Le vent est de nouveau dans les arbres, et tu est inviolable.
La fille de l'eau [#32]
© 2009 Fammerée
Richard & Rachel have been very busy with their performances, teaching & raising little Miss Sunshine.
Richard would like all our Family to please visit the myspace link below to experience a great treat!!!
http://www.myspace.com/famereetree
PLEASE SEND PHOTOS TO EITHER RICHARD OR MYSELF SO WE CAN ATTACH THEM
Blessings to all our dear family, Adele, Rachel, Richard
http://fammeree.blogspot.com
Please visit Richards blogsite as well as ours, the only difference being the double M's
"The Responders"
I received a few emails this past month, I will share…
1st My Neice Jamie Fameree-Elliott wrote
LOVE the Belgian pie recipes!!!!! Now, will I ever make them?? That could be a goal of a fun bunco night that I have at my house this summer :)
By the way, I'm in a culture class, and I'm obviously going to do something about us Belgians...so I may need some help from you. I'll check the blog, but I'm not sure of what I'm expected to do yet (project is due in a couple weeks), so I might be contacting you with some questions :) Talk to you soon~Jamie
I replied
I'm glad you like the updates!
I thought we could all get together sometime & make some pies as well, carry on the tradition.
Maybe at thanksgiving time instead of cookie decorating...
I'm always available to talk heritage.
Jo-Anne used to have PaPa speaking Belgian & translations on tape; I will ask her if she still has it.
UWGB has a website & there is a whole section devoted to belgian heritage, there are pictures of some of the log structures by PaPa's in it.
& there is also the Belgian American club.
Here is some info that may come in handy for your research.
HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION
The earliest record of a Belgian coming to northeastern Wisconsin is that of Father Louis
Hennepin who came as a missionary travelling with LaSalle’s exploring expedition in
1678-1679.
Wisconsin became the thirtieth State in the Union with President Polk’s signature on May
29, 1848. Lead mining in the southwestern counties was then the major source of
livelihood in the state.
In the 1850s, Wisconsin maintained an “immigration official” in New York city. His job
was established to recruit settlers and to help new arrivals to their destination. He
advertised in the European press by sending them printed material such as pamphlets,
posters an booklets which gave information about the opportunities available in
Wisconsin. One poster read:
Come! In Wisconsin all men are free and equal before the law. Religion is free
and equal between church and state. Opportunities are unlimited for those who
want to work. Good land can be purchased from the generous American
government for $1.25 an acre. The soil is adapted to raising corn, wheat, rye,
oats, barley and vegetables.
Cheap land and freedom drew the small land holders from Europe to the New World. The
largest exodus of European emigrants to the United States occurred between the years
1853 and the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861. The major ports of embarkation were
Antwerp, Belgium; LaHavre, France; and Bremen or Hamburg, Germany. The price of a
ticket from Antwerp to America was $35 for each person above twelve years of age.
Emigrants brought their own bedding and provisions to last for a minimum of six weeks.
Many landed at the ports of New York and/or Quebec.
The first group of ten Belgian families, fifty people, who came to northeastern Wisconsin
emigrated from the province of Brabant, Belgium. They left Antwerp for New York on a
three-masted schooner, the Quennebec, on May 18, 1853, along with other emigrants
from Holland. There were many storms and their voyage was a hard one. In one storm the
main mast snapped off and was carried away, but the old ship continued onward for
seven weeks, and arrived in New York on July 5. During the last week there was a
shortage of food and drinking water.
The ten Belgian families did not have a specific destination in mind when they left home
because the pamphlet they had read referred only to the cheap land and opportunities
available in “America”. On the ocean voyage they decided to accompany their new
friends, the Hollanders, to their destination in Wisconsin. From New York they traveled
on canal boats and lake steamers and eventually arrived in Milwaukee. The Hollanders
were headed for a Dutch settlement near Sheboygan and the Belgians went with them.
Here they found that they were unable to converse with the people and very little good
Historical and Genealogical Information on our Belgian Ancestors Page 7
land remained unclaimed. They met a French-Canadian who told them that in Green Bay,
nearly one-half of the population was French and that most of the land in the area had not
been claimed. Shortly thereafter, they left for Green Bay and upon their arrival in late
August they were pleased to find that they could communicate with many of the local
people and that land was readily available.
The men left their families in Green Bay while they went south looking for land. They
decided to settle along the Fox River near the present city of Kaukauna, and their claims
were entered in the government land office in Menasha. Then they returned to Green Bay
to get their families. Upon their arrival in Green Bay, they learned that a five-year-old
son of one of the immigrants had died the day before and they prepared for his burial. At
his funeral, the local priest was visited by his friend, Father Edward Daems, pastor of a
frontier parish at Bay Settlement. Father Daems was a young, friendly, energetic and
enthusiastic Belgian who spoke French and Belgian. The elated settlers flocked around
him. He said that they should come to his parish, that he would help them find good land
and that they could attend mass in their own language. This appealed to the wives as well
as the men so they cancelled their prior land claims, and with the help of Father Daems,
they staked out land claims about ten miles northeast of Bay Settlement (4 miles south of
Dykesville) in the area now known as Green Bay township in northeastern Brown
County. The Belgians called this area “Aux premier Belges”. The first winter was mild
and the hunting was excellent. Toward spring the friendly Indians taught them the
practice of tapping maple trees to make maple sugar. Their letters to Belgium were filled
with enthusiasm.
More Belgian emigrants left for northeastern Wisconsin in 1854 and 1855. Many had
been encouraged and recruited by the Antwerp ship owners who glowingly recommended
that area as one of the best localities suited for Belgian settlement. However, some of the
1854 group carried Cholera germs and that fall man of the cabins were filled with sick,
and dying people. Because of the large parish and the absence of roads, the priest could
attend only a few of the many burials, so most of the victims were attended by relatives
and buried in the woods without the rites of the church. It was a sad time for the Belgian
pioneers, but the news of this did not reach Belgium for some time. Meanwhile, many
poor villagers and small landholders living and working on large estates in Belgium
where trying to save enough money to emigrate. In Belgium, they worked for a few cents
a day. For cutting, binding and hauling grain for the estates they received every twentieth
shock, and for thrashing by hand with a flail they got every twentieth bushel.
In 1856, the year when the largest number emigrated, thousands of Belgians from the
province of Brabant left for Wisconsin and most of them settled in the present counties of
northeast Brown, Kewaunee and southern Door. It was a stormy spring. One vessel with
its cargo of emigrants was wrecked at sea and everyone aboard perished. Dysentery broke
out on the “David Otley” and sixty out of the two hundred on board died and were buried
at sea. Another ship, the “Lacedemon” was soon crippled and had to return to port for
repairs.
Historical and Genealogical Information on our Belgian Ancestors Page 8
Ferdinand Delveaux and his son, Constant, were passengers on the Lacedemon. Constant,
who died in 1923 at the age of 93, left a report of their trip. Information obtained from the
Constant Delveaux report follows.
They left Antwerp on March 18, 1856 after a two day wait in port. (The Pierre ancestors
left there on the “Julia Howard” in March of 1856). When about ten miles out, a savage
storm broke most of the three masts on their ship and they had to return to port for
repairs. The repairs took twenty-three days; then they started out again and had smooth
sailing to the port of Quebec, Canada. There they transferred to a boat that took them to
Toronto. At Toronto they boarded railroad cars which took them to Lake Michigan; then
they sailed to Green Bay.
When the Delveaux family arrived in Green Bay there were only a few houses. A priest
in Belgium had given them a letter for a lawyer named Houte who gave them a township
plot on the northern fringe of the Belgian Settlement, and who told them to contact a Mr.
Rickare (Rickard) for help in finding the location of their lands. Mr. Rickard lived near
Red River. With his compass he led them through the deep woods to the present township
of Brussels and found the corner of their land. Four Belgian families were in this group
and they were the first settlers in the present township of Brussels. Thirty other families
arrived to settle in the township later in 1856, followed by thirteen more in 1857, and
three in 1858 including Alexander Meunier, Alexander and Francois Pierre and their
mother.
Constant recalled that in 1867 the wife of a neighbor died and they carried her all the way
to Bay Settlement to be buried in the cemetery. However, in 1866, Father Curt buried the
first person from their area at Namur.
Historical and Genealogical Information on our Belgian Ancestors Page 9
HOW BELGIANS OBTAINED THEIR LAND
Belgians who came in 1855 and 1856 often went to the land office and asked to be
assigned land in the general area of the Belgian Settlement. After they paid a small
preemption claim entry fee, the clerk assigned them forties of land. This unusual
procedure was due to a great influx of immigrants who knew nothing about U.S. land
surveys. New groups, guided by an earlier immigrant, would walk away sixty or more
miles to Mehasha to get descriptions of the lands allotted them by a land agent. They
would then return to Bay Settlement and wait for land cruiser Rickard to locate their
lands. Armed with a compass he would walk into the deep woods, through swamps and
underbrush, with small groups of new arrivals and point out a tree that was the northwest
corner of each new owner’s land. Each settler would carry an ax, a gun, blankets and
food. After locating a land owner’s corner, they would mark it by chopping down trees at
that point so that the property owner could find it again.
The first settlers did not always get the best land because the land surveyors had done a
very poor job of describing the soil conditions. Many of the areas that were marked
“swamp land” and avoided by the land agents were actually some of the best farmlands.
For example, 120 acres of the Pierre home farm on the south side of the road was listed
as swamp land.
In 1857 and later, immigrants often went to see their friends who had arrived earlier.
Then they were able to select land and stay on it as squatters until they found it
convenient to go to the land office and file their claims.
Preemption lands bought before the Homestead Law of 1862 were supposed to be sold by
the government for $1.25 per acre. However, the surveyors who had erroneously shown
so much swamp land in the area also listed much of the remaining land as being of
inferior quality. Because of these errors, most of the early Belgian settlers were only
charged fifty or seventy-five cents an acre. After making their claim, they had only two
years in which to pay for the land, then they received their government deeds. The men
would walk to Menasha in groups to pay for their land and get their deeds. The largest
group of thirty-two men, including Francois Pierre, Gabriel DeKeyser and Alexander
Meunier (our ancestors) marched off to Menasha to get their deeds on May 2, 1859. The
trip took close to a week, but most of the men enjoyed the companionship, the lunches
and the beers along the way. At Green Bay, they crossed the Fox River on a ferry. The
first bridge was built there, near the present Walnut Street bridge, in 1862.
Among the records in the office of Register of Deeds for Door County, the following
early preemptions of land are of special interest
Jamie then replied
I think that would be a great idea;)
This is awesome information...I'll have to have my project by next week Wednesday, so you may be hearing from me.
Hey Jeanne,
Where'd this information come from?? It's so interesting...I can't believe I hadn't read about it before! I want to use some of this information, but I have to know where to reference it to. I think my professor will be really interested...and I'm pretty sure I'm the only Belgian in the class:) Awesome!
I responded
Hope This Helps!!
J
Historical and Genealogical Information on our Belgian Ancestors
By Joseph J. Pierre and Mary A. Pierre
Second Edition 1976
Historical and Genealogical Information on our Belgian Ancestors Page 2
INTRODUCTION
My name is Scott Crevier (b.07-Nov-1962). As the title page shows, this book was
written by Joseph J. Pierre and Mary A. Pierre. Mary is the daughter of Joseph and his
wife Odile Le Grave. Odile is my first cousin twice removed. I have decided to convert
this volume into electronic format so that all members of my family tree can benefit from the hard work and information gathered by Joseph and Mary Pierre in the 1970s
Then Came an email from Karen Kaczmarek-Lamirande
Hey Jean:
Thanks for keeping me in the loop. I really enjoy reading this info. If you ever come across some pictures of my mom, feel free to share. Here is some information on my family. Let me know what else you want me to share.
Patrick Edward Lamirande (11/11/70)
Karen Marie Kaczmarek Lamirande (12/18/69)
Pat and I were married on 10/2/99
Our kids are:
Jessica Marie Lamirande (5/3/03)
Anna Madeline Lamirande (5/31/05)
Natalie Claire Lamirande (7/3/06)
Ever wonder what your mom and dad are doing now that they are together again?? Doesn’t it just make you smile?? Hope things are going well! Karen
I replied
Hey Karen,
I’m so glad you enjoy the blog & that you wrote to me.
It was very nice to see you & your whole family at Dad's wake & funeral.
It had been so long since I had seen you guys.
Thanks for updating me on your family.
I would love to see pictures!!!& maybe a little get to know your cousin paragraph.
What you do for a living & you can keep it vague if you wish, like I work for a steel company in credit & collections, or I travel for work alot,
I like to do crafting, making cards & bracelets & paper boxes.
My children are so talented they do this...
We love to go on Family trips to Disney...
Things like that.
Mom & Dad, I wonder all the time, He couldn't wait to meet up with her again! It consumed his living thoughts, since Mom died!!!
I often wonder if it is as they say it is that we go thru our whole lives as if in a review format & when we arrive at this higher level, are we greeted by all our past loved ones & it's this huge reunion...
I don't know Karen, I always wished that Mom & now Dad come to me in my dreams & give me a clue about it all.
Well, I'm going to try & send you pictures of your Mom & hopefully you can share with the rest of your Family.
PS, I'm not sure if Tom or Chris get the email notifications any longer.
Maybe you can encourage them to snd the little synopsis of their life as well...Take good Care. Sincerely, Jeanne
Next Nicole Fameree-Gall Wrote
I just want to tell you how much I appreciate your site and how you keep us all up-to-date on events, birthdays, losing loved ones, and just general information. Thanks! :)
I then wrote
I'm so glad you like the Family site,
The last 2 have been very difficult for me, so I'm very grateful when cousins like yourself participate & help me with information to input.
Hey, aren't you expecting a baby within a couple months?, It would be real cool if I could publish a pic of your ultrasound???
I wanted to separate Kalix & Deziah so they had there own picture for their birthday, but I was not certain who was who & ran short of time to put it in for the April, so I played it safe & input your whole family.
I hope all is well with you with your husband so far away; it has to be extremely difficult, especially being pregnant with all the emotions running ammuck...
Write back anytime, I truly love to hear from you & appreciate your feedback.
Sincerely, Jeanne
Nicole’s response
Our baby girl is actually due mid-May (although I'm hoping she will make her grand appearance sometime towards the end of this month...I'm so tired of being pregnant). It has been a bit of a difficult pregnancy and as you stated my "emotions running a muck" and Jeff being gone hasn't made it any easier. Fortunately my love will be coming home for a visit next month, so Kalix and I are definitely looking forward to that.
...it would be nice to meet you. If not, maybe our paths will cross at a family gathering in Wisconsin. :)
I hope that you will have a Happy Easter and that your family is doing well. Take care!
Next from Mary Ann Pierre-Johnson
Jeanne
I wanted to tell you the photo on the family blog site #16 that you have labeled as Mary Famaree Pierre is really my auntie Evelyn Famaree Prokash--Mary's sister.
Have a happy Easter. Mary Ann
I replied
Oh, I'm so sorry!!! That was a cropped picture. & the original was with your Dad & all the Pierre brothers & my Dad, I have seen Evelyn many times & I thought for sure this was Mary... sorry Maybe you could scan one of Mary & i'll put in next months as a retraction.. MY BAD. Happy Easter to you & yours. Jeanne
Then Harriet Collin-Ducat sent the next email
Happy Easter to all the relatives, enjoy your day with family and friends
Then Kathy Ducat wrote
Hope you are doing well.
We have a new member in our family - Evelyn Rose Ducat was born 3/30/09
to Phil and Deanna Ducat. Evelyn shares my dad's birthday. No greater
birthday gift than that of a new grandchild! Much happy, Kathy
I then wrote a note to Richard,Rachel & Adele
Just got back from Ohio, sorry I didn't get back to you sooner but phone was off the whole time.
Hope your Dad is doing well & I'm glad we got a frontal view of Adele this time she is SO Beautiful ...Sincerely, Jeanne
Richard responded
Thank you, dearest Jeanne. We love and miss you and Dan! My Dad is hanging in there. Love, R R A
Next is my response to Susan LeCaptain-Deering’s email regarding the passing of her Father.
I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to you & your Family!
I just returned from a vacation & received the sad news while I was leaving.
I will definitely be including the Obituary in my next posting in our Family Blogsite, That's if I can retrieve it from the GB Press.
I am so glad that you found the site & reached out to me.
I remember your Dad, Jule, Norris & Florence visiting with my Dad, Most vivid in my mind was when Jule would visit from Florida & my Dad would drop everything to play as they liked to refer to as "cut put" which in Belgian meant 4 pots ( of the favorite Belgian card game called Qu-yo (spelled phonetically)?
I really feel bad that I never made contact with you nor your siblings. I contacted Ellen & have been sending her the snail mail version of the Virtual Family Reunion as we have titled our Blogsite. She mentioned that she lived in the same complex as Charlie & I had asked her to share the newsletter with him, however she never mentioned his Children nor Grandchildren...
She came to my Dad's funeral this past March with Florence's Daughter Jane ( who brought me a couple pictures to scan & then I returned them to her.
I will include you in my list to notify of our blog updates & of Family events.
Please feel free to share a little of you & your family(siblings,spouses,children & grandchildren.
I am always so happy to meet new family members & to share this link with all.
Take care Susan & if their are any Family members in your address book you think may want to be included send the list to me or forward my email to them.
The blogsite link is http://fameree.blogspot.com Sincerely, Jean Fameree-Miller
Susan then replied
Hello Jean,
Thank you for responding so quickly!
I did not realize your Dad was Jule-my condolences to you and your family. He was such an interesting man. We took my Dad on rides in the country and always had to stop to say hi to him! My Dad felt really badly he could not attend the funeral. I am so glad Ellen and Jane went-they are such lovely people
(of course they are Famerees!!)
I will forward your blog site to my Sister Mary and Brother Scott.
I live near GreenBay with my husband Scot. We have been married since just out of high school for 40 years this December. We have 3 children:Tricia dob 5-1-1970/her husband Larry Garrison and our only grandchild so far-Cassandra Grace Garrison dob 5-18-2007, 2 sons Scott dob 3-23-1982 and Christopher 6-10-1985. Our son Christopher is back from Iraq after serving 2 tours in Iraq with the Marines. He is out now and will be starting college this fall.
Again thank you for this great site! Sue Deering(LeCaptain)
