Voyageurs came to the colony, known as New France, having traveled by sea from the country of France in Europe. They made good money as a voyageur . They learned quickly about the First Nation tribes and their unique cultures and languages. There are many challenges that shared in this wild rugged country with other voyageurs, the coureurs de bois, First Nation tribes, and the English, Scottish and French explorers. Co-operating, they created new trails in the wilderness that lead to all corners of this new land called Canada.

In the late 1700's, over 54 percent of the male population of Trois Rivieres was, or had been, a voyageur. Most of the voyageurs were either young single men from France or were born in New France. Being a voyageur was an honourable job. They were from families of craftsmen, military background, and farmers. The coureurs de bois, on the other hand, are mostly young jobless men who were either soldiers or hired men.

As a voyageur, they had to be a skilled navigator and have a curious, risk-taking nature. They were brave but, at the same time, respectful of nature's power in the wild frontier. At the beginning of their trips on the Great Lakes they would throw little trinkets into the waters out of respect for the power of nature. Tobacco, beads, or brass buttons were offered to Old Lady Wind, known as La Vielle, as they asked for safe passage. Many canoes, their cargo, and their crew were lost to sudden storms.

To learn more about Voyageurs visit this website:

http://www.l2ed.com/new/v_ger/indexE.htm

These records were discovered in the Hudson Bay Trading Company Files. All of these men have been linked to the Mate tree.