Smith and Young Families of northern Rhode Island
Laramee Family
Thanks to my cousin Tom and Mr. Simoneau for researching much of the early history of this French
Canadian Family. Like so many other French Canadian families, the Laramee Family immigrated to
New England in the mid to late 1800's for primarily economic reasons. They seem to have concentrated
in northern Rhode Island first before spreading to Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Laramee's
often anglicized their last name after immigration to America, so some of the variations in the
spelling of their last name include: "Laramie", "Larmie", "Laramey". Despite the various name
spellings, the genealogical records clearly indicate a French Canadian origin for this family.
What follows here is a rough outline of this particular Laramee family, although it is far from
complete. Some of the Laramee Family remained in Quebec, and there are probably some Laramee
cousins alive and well in the St. Louis de Bonsecours area in the Yamaska River Valley of Quebec.
Greetings to the Laramees in Quebec from your American cousins!
I visited Quebec for the first time in July 2005. It was an interesting experience to say the least.
The Yamaska River Valley is fairly flat and dominated by corn fields. A couple of mountain massifs
loom on the horizon to the south. The largest cities in the area are St. Hyacinth (39,000 people)
to the south and Sorel-Tracy to the north. This region is the heart of French-speaking Quebec, and
as mon Francais is not particularly good, it was difficult for me to communicate at times. The
younger generation tend to be bilingual, but the older generation of the area tend to be strictly
French-speaking. The older Quebecois can be somewhat snooty to us Americans, but when you communicate
that your ancestors came from the area, they turn out to be very friendly people. There are a lot of
Laramee families still living in the St. Hyacinth area (as evidenced by viewing the local phone books).
For genealogists who hope to visit the gravesites of your 18th and 19th century ancestors in Quebec, you
will be mostly disappointed. I found out about the peculiar Quebec practice of "graveyard recycling"
firsthand. When you visit the church cemeteries in Quebec, you will begin to notice that most of the
gravestones are fairly modern-looking. Some of the church parishes in the Yamaska River Valley date
well back to the early 1700's and 1800's. After looking up the death and burial records, I know that
several of my ancestors are buried at the church cemeteries that I visited. However, the gravestones
do not exist anymore because the cemeteries of Quebec are "recycled". Legally, when a person buys a
cemetery lot, that person gets to use that plot for 100 years. After 100 years, the old remains in the
grave plot are dug up and buried deeper in the grave plot. Then the grave plot is leased to someone
else for another 100 years. The old gravestones from the grave plot are discarded. It was really
amazing to me that there were no old gravestones in some towns in Quebec that date from the 1600's,
including Quebec City itself. The oldest gravestone that I saw in my trip dated from the 1880's.
In New England, there are several gravestones that date from the early 1700's and a few that date from
the 1600's.
***Nicolas1 Dehornay Dit Laramee
b. Abt. 1710 in Banan, Normandie, France
m. Abt. 1734 Catherine Delestre b. ? in France d. ?
d. ?
children:
***Joseph2 Dehornay Dit Laramee
***Joseph2 Dehornay Dit Laramee (Nicolas1)
b. 1735 Banan, Normandie, France
m. February 2, 1761 in L'Ancienne Lorette, Quebec, Canada Genevieve Tardif b. 1740 d. Aft. 1778
d. May 9, 1788 in Quebec, Canada
Joseph was living in the Quebec City area by 1761. He apparently moved to the Yamaska River Valley later in his life.
children:
Jean Baptiste3 Laramee (? - 1787)
***Joseph3 Duharnais Dit Laramee
Angelique3 Laramee (1767 - Aft. 1786)
Marie3 Antoine Laramee (1775 - ?)
Pierre3 Jean Guillaume Laramee (1778 - 1779)
***Joseph3 Duharnais Dit Laramee (Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. 1760 in Quebec
m1. February 20, 1786 in St. Michel de Yamaska, Quebec Amable Badayac Lapointe d. Bef. 1816?
m2. January 15, 1816 in St. Michel de Yamaska, Quebec Josette Lambert
d. Aft. 1816
children1:
Gabriel4 Laramee (? - Aft. 1826)
Joseph4 Laramee (1789 - ?)
Catherine4 Laramee (Abt. 1790 - ?)
Genevieve4 Laramee (Abt. 1790 - ?)
Louis4 Michel Laramee (1791 - ?)
***Pierre4 Duharnois Laramee (1792 - ?)
Francois4 Laramee (1797 - 1797)
Francois II4 Laramee (1798 - ?)
***Pierre4 Duharnois Laramee (Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. July 25, 1792 in St. Michel de Yamaska, Quebec
m. October 30, 1815 in St. Michel de Yamaska, Quebec Genevieve Lamontagne
d. ? in Quebec?
children:
***Pierre5 Daunais Dit Laramee
Gedeon5 Laramee
Antoine5 Duharnais Dit Laramee
Rose5 De Lima Laramee
Joseph5 Laramee
Michel5 Laramee
View of the town sign for Yamaska Town near the St. Lawrence River.
This town was where Joseph3 Duharnais Dit Laramee's descendants first lived
at before later spreading down the river towards St. Hyacinth.
View across the Yamaska River of the old town of Yamaska with the church of St. Michel
visible in the center.
View of the Saint Michel Church in downtown Yamaska. The church cemetery is to the rear.
Sign near the front entrance of the Saint Michel (St. Michael) Church. As the sign states,
“Parish of St. Michel de Yamaska established in 1727.”
***Pierre5 Daunais Dit Laramee (Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. Abt. 1817 in Quebec
m. August 17, 1841 in St. Aime, Quebec Magdalene (Madeliene) Brouillard b. June 15, 1820 in Quebec d. After 1901 in Quebec?
d. November 10, 1900 in St. Louis de Bonsecours, Quebec
burial: St. Louis de Bonsecours, Quebec?
children:
Pierre6 Diarnois Dit Laramee
Joseph6 Laramee
***Antoine John 6 Laramee
Celina6 Laramee
Marie6 Laramee
Michel6 Laramee
Eusebe6 Laramee
Marie6 B. Laramee (1870 - Aft. 1901)
Township sign for Saint Aime in the middle part of the Yamaska River Valley.
Note the corn fields in the background.
Town sign for the old Saint Aime, now called Massueville, near the Yamaska River.
View of the front of Saint Aime Church in downtown Massueville (old St. Aime).
Sign for the Saint Aime Church, the parish of which was founded in 1834.
Gedeon5 Laramee (Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. May 9, 1824 in Quebec
m1. Before 1849 in St. Aime, Quebec Ursule Varieur b. ? in Quebec d. ?
m2. April 19, 1897 in St. Louis de Bonsecours Catherine Chauvin b. January 9, 1825 in Quebec d. ?
d. July 25, 1915 in St. Louis de Bonsecours, Quebec
burial: St. Louis de Bonsecours, Quebec?
children1:
Genevieve6 Laramee (1848 - 1893)
Marie6 Laramee (1853 - ?)
Joseph6 Laramee (1854 - 1894)
Catherine6 Laramee (1861 - 1938)
Antoine6 Laramee (Abt. 1865 - ?)
Aime6 Laramee (1865 - 1947)
Adelard6 Diarnois-Laramee (1866 - ?)
Misael6 Laramee (Abt. 1867 - ?)
Alelard6 Laramee (Abt. 1869 - ?)
Julie6 Laramee (Abt. 1871 - ?)
View of the main street into Saint Louis in the Yamaska Valley of Quebec.
View of the modern church in St. Louis, Quebec which was built in the 1960’s.
The old parish church of St. Louis de Bonsecours from the 1800’s was torn down.
The church cemetery is off to the left in this photo.
Antoine5 Duharnais Dit Laramee (Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. February 12, 1825 in Quebec
m. September 16, 1844 in St. Aime, Quebec Marie Girard b. ? in Quebec d. ?
d. August 25, 1908 in St. Louis de Bonsecours, Quebec
burial: St. Louis de Bonsecours, Quebec?
children:
Marie6 Diarnois Laramee
Antoine6 Laramee
Theodule6 Laramee
Rosalie6 Laramee
Emerance6 Laramee
Florida6 Laramee (1904 - 1904)
Joseph5 Laramee (Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. 1832 in Saint Aime?, Quebec
m. March 31, 1856 in St. Aime, Quebec Zoe Chauvin b. Abt. 1841 in Quebec d. June 8, 1907 in Saint Edwidge-de-Clifton, Quebec, Canada (aged 66 years and 1 month)
d. June 13, 1902 in Saint Edwidge-de-Clifton, Quebec, Canada (aged 70 years and 3 months)
burial: St. Edwidge Catholic Cemetery, Quebec, Canada
children:
John6 Laramee (1860 - ?)
Mike6 Laramee (1864 - ?)
Peter6 Laramee (1868 - ?)
Mary6 Laramee (1869 - ?)
Michel6 Laramee (1870 - ?)
Theodule6 Laramee (1874 - ?)
Willie6 Laramee (1876 - ?)
The Joseph Laramee family was in Smithfield, Rhode Island during the 1880 U.S. Census working in a cotton mill.
Joseph and Zoe (Chauvin) Laramee then moved to Saint_Edwidge-de-Clifton near the small city of Coaticook,
Quebec, Canada and lived out their lives there. Thanks to my cousin Lise in Coaticook, Quebec for the
family information.
A view of the main street in the farming village of Saint Edwidge-de-Clifton, Quebec, Canada,
not far from the Vermont border.
Saint Edwidge monument "1865-1965" at a crossroads in the village.
"Hotel de ville" in Saint Edwidge, Quebec.
Front of the Catholic Church in Saint Edwidge-de-Clifton, Quebec, Canada.
A cemetery is in the rear of the church.
Side view of the Catholic Church in Saint Edwidge, Quebec. The
cemetery is to the left in this photo.
Gravestone of Joseph5 Laramee in the cemetery to the rear of the
Catholic church in Saint Edwidge, Quebec. The oldest graves in the cemetery
are to the rear, and these old graves fortunately were not "recycled".
Gravestone of Zoe (Chauvin) Laramee opposite of Joseph Laramee's grave.
Gravestone of Francois Laramee (1888-1969) and wife Marie-Anne Lamontagne (1887-1962)
in the church cemetery at Saint Edwidge, Quebec. Francois may be "Frank L. Laramee", son
of Michel6 Laramee of Joseph5 Laramee, but this is speculation.
A gravestone of Joseph Laramee (1910 - 1982) and wife Leona Peloquin (1914 - 2005), and
a stone of Marie Anne Laramee (1903 - 1979), wife of Olivier Peloquin (1898 - 1949) lie
nearby. The relationships of these Laramee members have not been determined yet.
Michel5 Laramee (Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. March 29, 1831? in Quebec
m. April 17, 1855 in St. Aime, Quebec Celina Provencal b. May 28, 1838? in Quebec d. ?
d. Quebec?
children:
Mary6 Laramee (1858 - ?)
James6 Laramee (1859 - ?)
Alphonse6 Laramee (1860 - ?)
Michel6 Laramee (Abt. 1860 - ?)
Celina6 Laramee (1863 - ?)
Denis6 Laramee (1865 - ?)
Joseph6 Livernois Dit Laramee (1866 - ?)
Vero6 Laramee (1867 - ?)
Peter6 Laramee (1870 - ?)
Exurie6 Laramee (Abt. 1872 - ?)
Zero6 Laramee (1872 - ?)
Stanislaus6 Laramee (? - ?)
Louis6 Laramee (1876 - Bef. 1880?)
Willie6 Laramee (1876 - Bef. 1880?)
Theodule6 Laramee (1877 - ?)
The Michel Laramee Family was in Smithfield, R.I. during the 1880 U.S. Census working in a cotton mill.
There are only a few records of them after 1880 in R.I. Michel is listed with his wife Celina and son
Theodule in St. Louis-de-Bonsecours, Quebec in 1901 (1901 Canadian Census).
Pierre6 Diarnois Dit Laramee (Pierre5, Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. Abt. 1842 in Quebec
m. June 30, 1866 in St. Jude, Quebec Marie Fontaine b. ? d. ?
d. United States?
children:
unknown
View of the town sign for St. Jude, Quebec in the southern Yamaska Valley.
St. Jude has the distinction of being the town where the modern Quebec Flag was designed.
View of the St. Jude church in downtown St. Jude, Quebec.
Close up view of the statue in front of St. Jude church.
Joseph6 Laramee (Pierre5, Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. Abt. 1843 in Quebec
m1. ? Catherine ? b. ? d. ?
d. ?
children:
Eusebe7 Laramee (1866 - 1924)
A few birth records in Smithfield, R.I. suggest the existence of this Joseph Laramee. To date, no other
records have been found for him.
***Antoine6 John Laramee (Pierre5, Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. March 1, 1851 in Quebec
m. February 2, 1875 in Providence, R.I. Ruth Ella Kettell b. June 5, 1854 in Stillwater, R.I. d. September 28, 1923 in Spragueville, R.I.
d. September 2, 1916 in Spragueville, R.I.
burial: Harrisville, Burrillville, R.I.? (unable to locate burial location to date)
children:
Anthony7 Larmie
Ruth7 Frances Larmie
***Sarah7 Jeanne Madeline Larmie
Charles7 Albert Larmie
John anglicized his last name to "Larmie". The surname is also spelled "Laramy", "Laramey", "Laramie" in
various records. John immigrated to Smithfield, R.I. in 1859 to 1860 and returned to Quebec in the
1880's. Two of his children, Sarah and Charles, were born in St. Louis de Bonsecours, Quebec. John
returned to Smithfield, R.I. in 1890 and lived out his life in Spragueville, R.I. as a farmer.
On the back of this picture only Ruth E. Kettell (1854 - 1923) is identified as the woman on the far left.
Based on appearances, I believe the woman in the center is Sarah J.M. Larmie (1885 - 1961), and the man
on the left is Antoine John Laramee (Larmie) (1851 - 1916). The man on the right is probably a brother of
John's, perhaps Michel or Eusebe Laramee. Based on clothing styles, this picture was taken about 1905 to
1910 probably in Smithfield, R.I. (Picture from George N. Young Collection).
Celina6 Laramee (Pierre5, Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. Abt. 1853 in Quebec
m. May 19, 1876 William Kelley b. Abt. 1838 in Louisiana d. April 26, 1899? in Smithfield, R.I.?
d. ?
children:
unknown
Marie6 Laramee (Pierre5, Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. Abt. 1855 in Quebec
m. May 10, 1875 in Woonsocket, R.I. Pierre Fauteux b. ? d. ?
d. ?
children:
unknown
Michel6 Laramee (Pierre5, Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. January 10, 1856 in Quebec
m. September 22, 1878 in Smithfield, R.I. Catherine L. Crepeau b. August 6, 1854 in Sorel, Quebec d. February 6, 1953
d. August 24, 1920 in Connecticut
burial: St. Joseph Cemetery, Willimantic, Connecticut
children:
Unknown7 Laramee (Abt. 1879 - ?)
Mitchell7 (Michael) Laramee (1880 - ?)
Pierre7 (Peter) Laramee (1882 - ?)
Catharine7 Laramee (1883 - 1969)
Rose7 Anna Laramee (1884 - 1945)
Leon7 Joseph Laramee (1886 - 1957)
George7 Laramee (1887 - 1966)
Yvonne7 Laramee (1890 - 1982)
Eusebe6 Michel? Laramee (Pierre5, Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. April 1, 1857 in Quebec
m. September 22, 1878 in Smithfield, R.I. Elise Bergeron b. ? d. ?
d. April 11, 1944 in Georgiaville, Rhode Island
burial: St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket, R.I.
children:
unknown
Marie6 Diarnois Laramee (Antoine5, Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. Abt. 1846 in St. Louis de Bonsecours, Quebec?
m. April 23, 1866 in St. Jude?, Quebec Theodule St.-Francis Messier b. ? d. ?
d. September 3, 1927 in St. Louis de Bonsecours, Quebec
burial: St. Louis de Bonsecours, Quebec?
children:
unknown
Antoine6 Laramee (Antoine5, Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. October 15, 1862 in St. Louis de Bonsecours, Quebec?
m. ? Celina Theroux b. December 11, 1869 in Quebec d. ?
d. January 6, 1946 in St. Louis de Bonsecours, Quebec
burial: St. Louis de Bonsecours, Quebec?
children:
Antoine7 Laramee (1890 - ?)
Celina7 Marie Laramee (1895 - 1986)
Eva7 Marie Laramee (1898 - 1967)
Theodule6 Laramee (Antoine5, Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. August 27, 1866 in St. Jude, Quebec
m. July 7, 1890 in St. Marcel, Quebec Delia Cloutier b. May 7, 1873 in Quebec d. ?
d. ? in Quebec?
children:
Joseph7 Laramee (1891 - Bef. 1901?)
Aldort7 Laramee (1891 - ?)
Avila7 Laramee (1894 - ?)
Joseph7 Laramee (1896 - ?)
Aurore7 Laramee (Abt. 1901 - ?)
Theodule and his family were living in St. Marcel, Quebec in 1901 (1901 Canadian Census).
View of the town of St. Marcel in the Yamaska Valley of Quebec. Corn fields to the right
and the church steeple of St. Marcel to the left.
View of the St. Marcel Church in downtown St. Marcel, Quebec.
Rosalie6 Laramee (Antoine5, Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. Abt. 1869 in Quebec
m. March 8, 1886 in St. Louis de Bonsecours Pierre Daigle b. ? d. ?
d. April 10, 1896 in St. Louis de Bonsecours, Quebec
burial: St. Louis de Bonsecours, Quebec?
children:
unknown
Emerance6 Laramee (Antoine5, Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. ? in Quebec
m. May 8, 1894 in St. Louis de Bonsecours, Quebec Isidore Laperle b. ? d. ?
d. ? in Quebec?
children:
unknown
Michel6 Laramee (Joseph5, Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. August 6, 1870? in Quebec
m. ? Mary Ann Cunningham b. ? in Vermont d. ?
d. ?
children:
Frank7 L. Laramee (1890 - ?)
Joseph7 Laramee (1892 - ?)
John7 Laramee (1896 - ?)
Albert7 Anthony Laramee (1891 - 1950)
Mary7 A. Laramee (1901 - ?)
Ruth7 Laramee (1905 - ?)
Eusebe7 Laramee (Joseph6, Pierre5, Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. February 25, 1866 in Quebec
m. ? in Smithfield, R.I. Exyria Ricard b. ? d. ?
d. April 16, 1924 in Greenville, R.I.
burial: Burrillville, R.I.?
children:
Elise8 Mari Laramee (1895 - ?)
Anthony7 Larmie (Antoine John6, Pierre5, Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. December 18, 1875 in Smithfield, R.I.
m. July 29, 1895 in Smithfield, R.I. Sarah Pickford b. May 25, 1872 in Georgiaville, R.I. d. August 20, 1933 in Smithfield, R.I.
d. March 30, 1933 in Providence, R.I.
burial: Pascoag Cemetery, Burrillville, R.I.
children:
Male8 Laramee
Female8 Laramee
Female8 Laramee
Anthony Larmie and some of his Grandchildren (Picture from George N. Young Collection).
Ruth7 Frances Larmie (Antoine John6, Pierre5, Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. September 5, 1879 in Smithfield, R.I.
m. April 11, 1898 in Smithfield, R.I. Thomas Joseph Capron b. February 1874 in R.I. d. ?
d. ?
children:
Male8 Capron
Female8 Capron
Ruth F. Larmie and her nephew (Picture from George N. Young Collection).
***Sarah7 Jeanne Madeline Larmie (Antoine John6, Pierre5, Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. July 26, 1885 in St. Louis de Bonsecours, Quebec
m. November 11, 1904 in Smithfield, R.I. George Nelson Young b. March 22, 1879 in Providence, R.I. d. December 27, 1957 in Spragueville, R.I.
d. January 29, 1961 in Smithfield, R.I.
children:
Male8 Young
Female8 Young
Female8 Young
Female8 Young
Female8 Young
Male8 Young
Male8 Young
Charles7 Albert Larmie (Antoine John6, Pierre5, Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. February 4, 1888 in St. Louis de Bonsecours, Quebec
m. December 18, 1918 in Smithfield, R.I. Clara Wilding b. July 17, 1891 in England d. December 15, 1991 in Smithfield, R.I.
d. September 11, 1962 in Smithfield, R.I.
children:
Male8 Larmie
Female8 Larmie
Female8 Larmie
Female8 Larmie
Pierre7 (Peter) J. Laramee (Michel6, Pierre5, Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. May 13, 1882 in Georgiaville, R.I.
m. May 1, 1905 in St. Mary's Church, Willimantic, Connecticut Emma Martin b. 1882 in Willimantic, CT? d. 1974 in Willimantic, CT?
d. 1960 in Willimantic, CT
burial: St. Joseph Cemetery, Willimantic, Connecticut
children:
Female8 Laramee
Pierre grew up in Rhode Island and moved to Willimantic, CT with his family in 1894. He worked in
cotton mills and learned to be a machinist. Later he worked as a grocery clerk and became a proprietor
of a grocery store in Willimantic which he grew into a successful large grocery store. As a self-made
businessman, Pierre turned to politics as well. He served as the first Frenchman to represent Willimantic
in the Connecticut State House of Representatives from 1917-1918, and 1923-1924. He also served as a
Connecticut State Senator from 1937 to 1940. Pierre Laramee served as the mayor of Willimantic in 1937
and from 1940 - 1941. Information from "A Modern History of Windham County Connecticut", Vol. II,
Allen B. Lincoln, Editor, 1920.
Picture of Pierre J. Laramee from "A Modern History of Windham County
Connecticut", Vol. II. Thanks to my cousin Tom for supplying a copy
of the picture.
Leon7 Joseph Laramee (Michel6, Pierre5, Pierre4, Joseph3, Joseph2, Nicolas1)
b. May 9, 1886 in Arctic, R.I.
m. March 24, 1913 in St. Jean the Baptist Church, Ludlow, Massachusetts Regina Dutilly b. November 24, 1894 in Springfield, Mass. d. February 11, 1977 in Springfield, Mass.
d. August 6, 1957 in Springfield, Mass.
burial: St. Aloysius Cemetery, Springfield, Mass.
children:
Male8 Laramee
Male8 Laramee
Female8 Laramee
Male8 Laramee
Female8 Laramee
Female8 Laramee
Female8 Laramee
Female8 Laramee
Female8 Laramee
Female8 Laramee
Male8 Laramee
Leon was a meat cutter and clerk in Springfield, Mass.
These web pages are currently under construction, so please be patient.
If you are a relative or are interested in obtaining or providing additional information
on these families, then please send me an email.