https://youtu.be/CfAKFMVM0_M The audio book "The Acadians" was produced in collaboration with the Canadian Historical Association. This book is booklet #33 of the CHA’s Immigration and Ethnicity in Canada booklet series. Founded in 1922, the Canadian Historical Association / La Société historique du Canada is a bilingual not-for-profit and charitable association devoted to fostering the scholarly … Continue reading FULL AUDIOBOOK – The Acadians, by Caroline-Isabelle Caron (Narrated by J.R. Bourgeois)
Acadian history
Falling Through the Cracks: An 18th Century Acadian Village on the Bras d’Or Lakes?
The years leading up to the second siege of Louisbourg were some of the most tumultuous and uncertain that the island of Cape Breton had ever seen. Despite the apprehension, however, people living on the island were making plans for their future. In the 1750s, the French Governor, the Count de Raymond, ordered three roads … Continue reading Falling Through the Cracks: An 18th Century Acadian Village on the Bras d’Or Lakes?
Podcast Episode 07a – The Chevalier de Johnstone: From Culloden to Cape Breton
The Chevalier de Johnstone is one of the most colourful personalities to have come through Cape Breton in the 18th century. A Scottish exile who was involved in the 1746 Jacobite Rebellion, Johnstone was likely one of the only - if not the only - Scotsmen in Cape Breton during the time of Louisbourg. He … Continue reading Podcast Episode 07a – The Chevalier de Johnstone: From Culloden to Cape Breton
Remarkable Stories From the Lost Settlements of 18th Century Cape Breton
Figure 1.1 - "A plan of the island of Cape Britain reduced from the large survey made by the orders and instructions of the right honorable the Lords Commissioners for Trade and Plantations" by Samuel Holland, April 1767. To view a larger version, click here. The settlements of St. Esprit, Allemands, Rouillé and Espagnole no … Continue reading Remarkable Stories From the Lost Settlements of 18th Century Cape Breton
Podcast Episode 04 – Explorers La Pérouse and Cook Converge on Cape Breton, 1758
In the age of Pacific exploration, two men spearheaded expeditions to parts of globe previously uncharted by Europeans - Jean François de La Pérouse and James Cook. Although La Pérouse and Cook would never meet, both men would converge on Cape Breton Island in the year 1758, near the beginning of their careers. This episode … Continue reading Podcast Episode 04 – Explorers La Pérouse and Cook Converge on Cape Breton, 1758
The Lost Settlements of 18th Century Cape Breton – St. Esprit, Allemands, Rouillé and Espagnole
Figure 1.1 - Map of Isle Royale, 1749 by Robert de Vaugondy. This map of Cape Breton Island is recognizable to us today, but a closer look helps us to appreciate just how different Île Royale was from the Cape Breton Island that emerged during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Certain French place … Continue reading The Lost Settlements of 18th Century Cape Breton – St. Esprit, Allemands, Rouillé and Espagnole
Podcast Episode 02c – Helen Creighton and the Mystery of “Louisbourg’s Lament”
Note - Since the publishing of this podcast, historian Éva Guillorel from the University of Rennes in France has done significant research into the origins of “La Complainte de Louisbourg.” She has uncovered evidence that this Acadian folksong is based on an older French song written about one of the sieges of Philippsburg. Her findings … Continue reading Podcast Episode 02c – Helen Creighton and the Mystery of “Louisbourg’s Lament”
Podcast Episode 03 – French Explorer La Pérouse and the Shores of Cape Breton, 1757
Jean-François de La Pérouse was one of the most renowned mariners and explorers of the 18th century, but in 1788 he and his expedition disappeared without a trace, leaving behind a mystery that would take decades to unravel. La Pérouse visited Cape Breton Island several times during his early years at sea - this episode … Continue reading Podcast Episode 03 – French Explorer La Pérouse and the Shores of Cape Breton, 1757
Podcast Episode 02b – Helen Creighton and the Mystery of “Louisbourg’s Lament”
The second part of episode 2 analyzes the lyrics of “Louisbourg’s Lament” in order to see how it holds up against the historical record of the fall of Louisbourg in 1745. Note - Since the publishing of this podcast, historian Éva Guillorel from the University of Rennes in France has done significant research into the … Continue reading Podcast Episode 02b – Helen Creighton and the Mystery of “Louisbourg’s Lament”
Podcast Episode 02a – Helen Creighton and the Mystery of “Louisbourg’s Lament”
In the first part of our second episode, we examine the traditional Acadian song “La Complainte de Louisbourg”, or “Louisbourg’s Lament”, a song believed to have originated with an eye-witness to the 1745 Siege of Louisbourg. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iPMhPJ1kD0&t=12s Video credit: - Songs of Nova Scotia - Producing Agency: National Film Board of Canada Photo credit: - … Continue reading Podcast Episode 02a – Helen Creighton and the Mystery of “Louisbourg’s Lament”
The Lost World of Cape Breton Island 