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BELGIANS IN AMERICA: Belgian settlements by State
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Belgians Settlements in New York at the time of the Civil War
As early as 1830, Belgians settled in the northeastern part of New York State along the Erie Canal between Buffalo and Rochester. Originating from Guirsch and Messancy, they were followed by Fouche families who settled in Sheldon. This town attracted many Belgians, so much so that in 1855 it included about a hundred Luxembourgish families, most of them from Wallonia. |
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Erie County
SISTERS OF ST. MARY
In August, 1863, Bishop Timon secured four Sisters of Mary from Belgium to
establish an academy for young girls. Lockport offered a good field for the
enterprise, and, shortly after their arrival they started their school in the
basement of St. John's Church under the direction of the Rev. William Gleason.
Two years later they moved near the new St. Patrick's Church where they utilized
two cottages and a barn for their work. In March, 1866, they laid the foundation
of the present St. Joseph's Academy. They teach in all the parochial schools in
Lockport. In 1886 the Rev. Edward Kelly induced them to open a school for the
Annunciation parish, Buffalo. In 1906 the sisters purchased property on Walden
Avenue to establish there the provincialate of the order but it was sold in 1925
as unsuitable, and more desirable property was secured in Kenmore where they
have erected their mother house.
Source : Donohue, Thomas. : History of the diocese of Buffalo; Buffalo, N.Y.:
Buffalo Catholic Publications, 1929, 403 pgs.
New York County
Biographies : George BARDIN