Gagnier (Gagne) History Web Site
by Rev. John F. Gagnier
Section One: Origins of the Family
in
After
reading this section,
click on the blue link at the bottom of the page to go to
Section Two: Settlement in
THE SURNAME
The original spelling of the name used in
This name, in its various spellings, is the tenth most common name in the
The most common spelling is Gagne.
Some have tried to interpret a "meaning" to the name. I was
told by a high school French teacher that the name meant "winner."
Linguistically, this is a bit of a stretch.
The French verb "gagner" means "to win" or "to
earn." Therefore, the derived noun "gagnier" could mean a
"winner" or "earner." However, the correct word for
"winner" in French is "gagnant."
THE FIRST GENERATION
Below appears in italics a translation of the marriage contract of
Louis Gasnier (1612-1661) and Marie Michel (1620-1687),
who were the first of the family to emigrate from
The contract was signed on June 11, 1638 and the wedding was on June 11, 1638
at the
The translation below was done by Peter J. Gagne, whose web site link can be
found on the home page of this site.
Marriage Contract of Louis Gasnier and Marie Michel.
Passed before notary Regnard 11 June 1638.
"On the 11th day of June one thousand six hundred thirty-eight
were present in their persons Loys Gasnier, miller,
residing at the Courtoulin mill, parish of Saint-Côme-de-Vair, accompanied by
Jean Dubois, his uncle and Pierre Gasnier, his brother residing in said parish,
on one side.
And Marye Michel, daughter of the deceased Pierre Michel and Loyse Gory, in life
her father and mother residing in Saint-Martin-du-vieux-Bellême, accompanied
and escorted by René Michel, her brother and Pierre Guene, her brother-in-law
living in said parish of Saint-Martin, accompanied as well by Julien
Guillochon, her first cousin,
on the other side,
both of whom promised to take one another faithfully in loyal marriage, if God
and Our Holy Mother Church give their consent and accord, and to be married
before this latter, as soon as doing so is possible or should one by the other
be required.
In contemplation of which marriage said Gasnier has endowed and does endow by
these presents said Michel with the customary dower; promising, etc.
Passed in the town of
Signatories: L. Gasnier, R. Michel, J. Guillochon, Regnard.
Below is a photo
(left) and drawing (center) of the ninth century
where Pierre (1610-1656) and his brother Louis (1612-1661) were both baptized,
and a photo of the church at Saint-Martin-du-vieux-Belleme where Louis &
Marie were married 11 June 1638. (right)
Both photos were taken by Father Gagnier on October 11, 1999.
Churches attended
by Gasnier families in
Below at left is a
photo of the Water Mill in
lived and worked for several years before emigrating to
The photo at the right shows the coach house.
The property is now a working farm.
These two digital photos were taken by Father Gagnier on October 11, 1999.
The Water Mill of
Guemancais in
Interior View of Moulin de (Mill of) Guemancais
The Water-Mill of Guemancais is situated at the boundary
of St. Cosme-en-Vairais Commune (Sarthe) in
located near the
The date is uncertain but this mill would have been built in the 15th or 16th
century.
Louis Gasnier (1612-1661), the first ancestor, had first used it together with
his father,
then by himself until his departure for
In recent years, the mill has been restored, without changing the outside
appearance.
An extension has been added (not appearing in this photo.) It blends very well
with the old section.
The map below shows the location of the ancestral towns of Ige and St. Cosme in relation to Bonnetable.
Section Two: Settlement in New France
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Gagnier
(Gagne) History Web Site
by Rev. John F. Gagnier
Last
modified on Thursday December 3, 2009