September 4, 2009 (picture of a canot de maitre):

Image Source: A Historical Atlas of Canada, Edited by D.G.G. Kerr,
University of Western Ontario, Thomas Nelson and Sons, Second Edition, 1966, page 44


Map Source: Preface to the book The Voyageur, by Grace Lee Nute, Minnesota Historical 
Society Press, 1931, ISBN 0-87351-213-8



May 10, 2002:
Lawrence Burns
(Larry the Trapper)
my Grandfather's brother
married to Bridget McCabe

See the following references at our bibliography:

There is an excellent account of the fur trade in the Bytown area in the article
Bytown and the Fur Trade by Michael Newton.
The Fur Trade in Canada, by Harold Innis, is a must for every history library.
Since Time Immemorial by Stephen McGregor has a lot of information regarding
the Algonquin Nation's role in the fur trade of the Ottawa River Valley Watershed.

August 18, 2004:

In August 2004 I made a trip to Minnesota, USA to do historical research on 
the substantial migration from the Ottawa area to Minnesota during the 1880's.

We ended up finding out mostly about the French Canadian voyageurs who were active
in the Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan areas long before the emigration of farmers
from the Ottawa area.

The great fur trade route started at Montreal and followed the Ottawa River past the
Chaudiere Falls, the Chats Falls, Allumette and Calumet Islands and Fort Coulonge.
The Mattawa River was followed, upstream to North Bay and Lake Nipissing. From 
there it was downriver along the French River to the north shore of Lake Superior. 
We visited Grand Portage at the head of Lake Superior where we
set new records in an all-you-can-eat walleye restaurant in Grand Marais. Many
of the towns have French names -- called after the voyageurs.

The records of Notre Dame in Bytown prior to 1855 list the occupation of many
French Canadians as "voyageur".
The books, The Voyageur, by Grace Lee Nute of Minnesota and Freshwater Saga
by Eric Morse (deceased) of Ottawa, are two excellent works regarding the canoe
routes and the fur trade. See bibliography (link above).
... Al
August 22, 2004:
Hi Al
 
Here's a picture of the Ottawa River, 1 1/2 hour East of North Bay, in Stonecliffe.  
On the right is Quebec, and these lands have been untouched for 200 years. What we 
see today, is what the Fur Taders and Settlers saw back then. If you land on the 
Quebec side and start walking inland, the first road is 45 miles in. Quebec has 
reserved this land, and has stayed that way this long. What I found interesting, 
was the depth. The deepest part of the Ottawa River is over 200 feet. Thought it 
would add a view to your Fur Trade story, but like I stated, what you see in this 
picture is the view our ancestors had 200 years ago.
 
Take care

Bye for now
Taylor
___________________
And here's one of the north shore of Lake Superior (Old Woman Bay).



The wind was called "La Vieille", or the Old Woman. La Vieille led to
layovers of up to a week until she subsided. This is a very powerful lake
which can turn from flat calm to six foot rollers in an hour.
Eric Morse and his wife canoed from Thunder Bay to Sault Ste. Marie
in a 17 foot Grumman canoe.
... Al
February 2, 2005:

See also the lumber industry.

February 12, 2005:

Friday afternoon. February 11, 2005. Sun shining. Winds light. Playing hookey.

Following the trail


A modern day voyageur






Islands in a bay along the Ottawa River, west of the city

February 23, 2005:

Hi Al 
I snapped this picture on my way back from Stonecliffe. It is a Jesuit burial 
site, and was possibly used as a landmark during the Fur trade. It is situated 
directly across from the mouth of the Mattawa River coming unto the Ottawa River. 
Located high on the Quebec mountain. On the attached map, the {Tree Symbol} 
shows the approximate location of the Three Crosses.
Take care
Taylor



There is a village named Bonfield on the above map. James Bonfield migrated
from Huntley Township to Renfrew County c. 1850.
... Al
August 12, 2006:


February 8, 2009:
Andre St. Amours' Fur Dealer Sign, painted by Henri Dufour
Thanks to Denise who is researching her Payette dit St. Amour and Dufour ancestors
Maniwaki, Quebec



Andre St. Amour, Fur Dealer Sign in French, painted by Henri Dufour
Maniwaki, Quebec
(this picture includes a beaver)


September 6, 2009:

Later in September, I'll be travelling from Kanata, Ontario (Ottawa), to Thunder Bay, Ontario.
My tickets on Greyhound Bus Lines are in the mail. Since ordering the tickets, I've learned
that Greyhound plans to soon cease providing bus service from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario to my 
destination, formerly called Fort Kaministiquia -- Fort William / Port Arthur / Thunder Bay.

This will be a tremendous loss to folks who live in Northern Ontario and who travel the route
along the North Shore of Lake Superior. See the newspaper article on our Fort William web page.


Map Source: A Historical Atlas of Canada, Edited by D.G.G. Kerr,
University of Western Ontario, Thomas Nelson and Sons, 
Second Edition, 1966, page 20

September 13, 2009:

The Museum of Civilization is beginning a one-year exhibit called "Profit and Ambition: The Canadian Fur Trade, 1779-1821"
The exhibit will run until September 12, 2010. Information can be found at the Museum of Civilization web site.

Here is an article by Steven Mazey which ran in yesterday's Ottawa Citizen:

  
October 19, 2009:

Hi Al:

I've transcribed the 1847 Diary of Hugh Falls, a Provincial Land Surveyor with
his survey of Bennett's & Bissett's creeks.  He refers to a few men he hired
as well as a few he encountered during the survey.  I thought these names
might be of interest to anyone researching these families.  Feel free to
post any of the diary that might be of interest.  I'm not certain that I've
transcribed all of the place names correctly as I'm not too familiar with
the geography of the area.  Perhaps you can correct any mistakes I've made
if you notice any.  I was surprised that it only took Hugh Falls one day to
travel from Bytown to Montreal-thought it would take longer than that. I
think he was paid 114 pounds for this survey.

Linda Falls
 November 23, 2009:

This map shows the original fur trade post called "Chats House" manned by Mr. Mondion of the Hudson's Bay Company c. 1810.
Also shown are the route of the Horse Railway built c. 1850 to take steamboat passengers around the
Chats Rapids. Map Source: The Upper Ottawa Valley, by Clyde C. Kennedy, page 141.

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