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New information found in the Louisiana Historical Quarterly, Volume 28, has revealed that Antoine Gonzales Trauna Morin was born around 1702 in the city of Conde, Parish of St. Jacques, diocese of the Archbishop of Draguer, in Portugal. This information has been translated to Portugese for me by a fellow researcher who I am in contact with via the Portugal Mailing list to read: �City of Conde, Parish of Sao Tiago, Diocese of Braga, in Portugal.� Fellow Portuguese researchers have located one village of Conde near Braga, and also a village called Vila do Conde, which is on the coast near Braga. Both are part of the Diocese of Braga. However, I have been unable to locate a parish of Sao Tiago in either village. Regardless, the records received from the Louisiana Historical Quarterly includes a translation of the marriage contract of Antoine (Antonio) Morin and Francois Valleran. On this marriage contract it states that Antonio�s was the legitimate son of Jean Pierre Trouna Morin and Angelique de Silva. It states this his parents were both born in Portugal also! The de Silva name in Portugal is very common, much like Smith or Jones in the USA. Francoise�s parents were listed as Jacques Valleran and Jeanne Landron. I hope to get copies of the New Orleans Sacremental records in the next few weeks so that I can begin tracing Francoise�s family lines. Antoine died on 23 April, 1785 and the New Orleans Sacremental records indicate that he was 83 years old at the time of death, which would make his year of birth in 1702. It also states that Antoine was married a second time to a Francisca Leonar with whom he had one son who died at age two. No name is given for this son, nor do I yet have a date of marriage or birth for Francisca or their son. I am hoping that the New Orleans Sacremental records will also yield more information on this second marriage. The records contained in the LA Hist Quarterly is a translation of the �Succession of Antoinio Morin, called �The Portuguese� and contains an English translation of the entire probate or succession record of Antonio (Antoine). It includes a certification of death, apoinment of Francisco Morin as guardian (executor) of the estate, the property (real and personal), Antoine�s will, Antoine�s marriage contract, settling of debts, funeral, etc. I am axiously awaiting a copy of these records and will post further information regarding the contents when I receive the copies. The above information has been provided by fellow Morin family researchers, Sylvia DeGruy and John Gaudin, both of whom I am in touch with regarding ongoing Morin research. Until further research can be conducted in the Portuguese records, we will be unable to determine whether Antoine�s father was Portuguese or French. His mother, Angelique de Silva was most certainly Portuguese, evidenced by the fact that her surname is very common in Portugal even today. On the other hand, research indicates that the surname Morin was in fact a relatively common name in the French records. However, it was also found in Italy and Spain. It will be interesting to see where this research leads us... The New Orleans Sacremental records indicate that Antoine was a �native of Lisbon,� so it will be interesting to see if he actually lived in Lisbon or not. Perhaps, as is often the case, Lisbon was notated as the place of origin as it was a familiar place known to most people, whereas the village of Conde was not. Another interesting thing will be to find out if Antoine was actually married before migrating to the US, and if he has other children. He was born in 1702, which means that he was already 51 years old at the time of his marriage to Francois Valleran! I have done some tentative research into the country of Portugal which has an area of 34,254 square miles and is watered by many small rivers and three large ones, including the Tagus River which flows into the harbor at Lisbon. Luxurious vegitation grows in almost all of Portugal, watered by clouds blown inland from the Atlantic Ocean. Tropical plants grow side by side with pines, palms, cactuses, and chestnut trees. Red-purple grapes are grown and have allowed Portugal to become an important wine producing country. In the early days of Portugals history, the women did most of the heavy labor. They worked the fields, drove the clumsy oxen hitched to crude farm machinery. They filled water jars at the town fountains, which were often located in the center of the village and had to be carried to their individual homes. The cooked, looked after the children, and took care of the various household duties after their labors in the fields were done. Portugal was orginally occupied by the Iberians and later immigrants included the Carthaginians and Greeks, Romans, Visigoths, and Moors. Portugal was a part of Spain until the 12th century, when it became an independent country. The famous explorer, Vasco da Gama sailed the open seas under the flag of Portugal, and became world famous for his exploration trip which took him around the Cape of Good Hope, reaching India. In 1755, an earthquake shook the capital city of Lisbon, killing over 40,000 people. Most of the city of Lisbon sits on the surrounding hills, and during this earthquake, huge sections of the residential districts of the city tumbled down the hillsides into the lower lying business districts. Only one section of the old city of Lisbon survived the devastating earthquake, and is called the Alfama. It is unknown at this time whether any pertinent vital records that will allow us to trace this family further survived the earthquake. Antoine Morin himself had fortunately left Lisbon before the devastating earthquake occured. His eldest son that has been traced, Francoise Gonzales Morin, was christened on 1 Jan, 1752 in the village of St. Charles Barromeo, Destrehan, St. Charles Parish, Louisiana. Thus far, only 3 children have been found to be born to Antoine and his unknown wife. It is also unknown whether any children were born in Portugal, or exactly where and when Antoine was married to his first wife. A marriage record was found in the old sacremental records of St. Louise Cathedral indicating that Antoine married a Francoise Valleran on 18 Aug, 1758, which is after all of the children were born. Therefore, it is unlikely that she is the mother of the children listed below. The children are:
- Francoise Gonzales Morin, christened 1 Jan, 1752 at St. Charles Barromeo Church, Destrehan, St. Charles Parish, La (no further information)
- Antoine Gregoire Morin, christened on 7 Apr., 1754 at St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, LA (no further information)
- Francois Gonzales �Portugese� Morin, born 25 Jan, 1756 in New Orleans, christened at St Louis Cathedral, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, LA. Married Bridget Duvernay on 28 Apr, 1783 at St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, LA.
The second son, Antoine Gregoire was baptized in St. Louis Cathedral, in New Orleans, so it appears by 1754, the Morin family was already living in New Orleans. When they moved there from Destrehan, St. Charles Parish where their first son was baptized is unknown at this time. (An site of interest here is a web site of the plantation home of the D�estrehan family which was built in 1787 and is the oldest plantation home still standing in St. Charles Parish). It is through the third son, Francois, that our line of the Morin�s descends. He was born in New Orleans, and also christened in St. Louis Cathedral. Francois married Bridget Duvernay on 28 Apr, 1783 at St. Louis Cathedral. It is presumed that Francois died in New Orleans as did his wife Bridget. An attempt to trace this family line back to Portugal is underway. Results of this search will be posted as found. Last updated: Apr. 1999 |
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