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The Blais d’Amérique wanted to retrace the ancestor’s voyage. A dream since 2006, it was first a team collaboration with about 30 participants. It was also decided that a commemorative plaque would be installed in Hanc, in Deux-Sèvres. It is in place at the crossroads leading to Hanc, greeting visitors since June 5, 2010.

In order to make this trip a success, the Blais had several French accomplices. They also realized that they should honor not only Pierre Blais but also all the forebears who are part of our genealogical tree. From the Salpêtrière, in Paris, form where left Anne Perrot, first wife of our ancestor, the participants went to the Tourouvre and Perche regions. In Saint-Cosme-en-Vairais, they thought of Jean Royer, father of Élisabeth Royer, 2nd wife of our Pierre. We were greeted warmly, cordially and with enthusiasm everywhere. We also went to La Rochelle, the port from which many ships sailed for New France. A cruise was arranged to Fort Boyard and the Île de Ré where lived the Beaudoin, the parents of Françoise, the wife of second-generation Pierre.

The highpoint of the trip was undoubtedly the two days in Pierre’s region, Hanc and Melleran. We were awaited! The red carpet was laid out: speeches, meals, toasts, certificates of honorary citizens, unveiling of a magnificent plaque designed by a Quebec graphic artisan, sculpted by a French marble worker and installed by a Hanc mason. Nothing was missing! Sadly we had to leave after a too short time! However it was on to the Loire valley and its castles and back to Paris and home. …“Yet longing comes upon him to fare forth on the water“ [Ezra Pound]

Lucille Blais M-215

Last update for this page: December 14, 2011

Do you remember the photo taken on June 5, 2010; it was published on the cover of the 2010 autumn-winter edition of the Journal des Blais? 

During the unveiling ceremony of the commemorative plaque honoring our ancestor Pierre Blais in Hanc, we launched balloons to which were tied a note. On it we asked anyone finding one of these notes to send it back, indicating where it was found.

During the months following our trip, we received two letters informing of found notes.

About two years after our trip, in a letter dated July 24, 2012, that we received a few days later (July 30, 2012), Mr. Jean-Pierre Forgeot from Roôcourt, France, told us he found the note (see above) in the Bologne, Haute-Marne region.

READ JEAN-PIERRE FORGEOT'S LETTER

(in French) 

According to our estimations, the note travelled about 370 miles (591 km) from Hanc. 

Thank you Mr. Forgeot for taking the time to write. 

Last update for this page: July 27, 2020