Fur Trade in the Ottawa Valley

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:
E-mail Taylor Kennedy and Al Lewis
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