Hillary Clinton’s Quebec ancestry dates back to New France

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's maternal roots date back to New France.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s maternal roots date back to New France.

With Canadian and American media’s almost constant focus on tomorrow’s US election, I guess it should come as no surprise the Canadian Press has published about Hillary Clinton’s family ties to Canada that stretch back to New France.

Secretary Clinton’s French Canadian roots make her a distant relative of many prominent Quebecers, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Celine Dion.

Filles du roi
Gail Moreau-Desharnais of the French-Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan has traced a branch of Secretary Clinton’s family tree back to the filles du roi, the young women who were sent from France in the 17th century to help populate the colony.

The Secretary’s Quebec roots are traced through her mother Dorothy Howell’s side of the family.

Ms. Moreau-Deshairnais said in an interview with Canadian Press, “She really has a good French-Canadian line. And when you trace her matrilineal line, or female to female to female, her ultimate female ancestor is Jeanne Ducorps, one of the filles du roi.”

According to author and genealogist Irène Belleau, the presidential candidate also traces her ancestry back to filles du roi Madeleine Niel, Madeleine Plouard and Catherine Paulo.

You can read more about Secretary Clinton’s Quebec ancestry and the filles du roi in the Canadian Press article.

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