I am looking for any information on the parents of Joseph Fortier who was born in Quebec,Canada on July 19, 1854. He graduated from Nicollet College at 18 years old. He spent 2 more years there with theological courses. He went on to the Grand Seminary of Three Rivers for one year. He stayed as an assistant there until 1879. In 1880 he was in charge of the Church of The Holy Family in Little Falls, Minnesota.
All of this information was found in a family bio by my Great grandmother Mary Lavina/Melvina Forcier DeChaine in 1938. She references the book "The History of The Upper Mississippi Valley". I found this book in it's entirety on Google Books for free and that is how I found Joseph Fortier's correct birth date.
What I am really seeking is info on the brothers of Joseph Fortier's father so I can find the parents of his uncle Damase/Demas(Thomas)Forcier who was either born in Canada or Vermont in 1843. He lived in Vermont until around 1876 then he moved with his family and wife Melvina Rondo to Minnesota. They lived there until approx. 1890 when part of the family moved to Washington state. He died in Seattle in 1929.
I cannot read the French in the Canadian church records. I can make out the names most of the time. Are exact dates even included? I found several Joseph Fortier's born in 1854 but have no idea which one is him.
Any help would be greatly appreciated as Joseph is the only clue I have to solve this family mystery. Thank you! Kitty
kittyphillips@comcast.net