Research Outline- James Catlin Jr. and His 1730 Journey to Canada
1. Understanding James Jr.’s Mission
Key Questions:
Why did James Jr. decide to go to Canada in 1730? Was it a personal mission or part of a larger military operation?
Who accompanied him? Were they soldiers from a local militia or part of a broader military effort?
What was his relationship with his sister like before and after the Deerfield Massacre?
Potential Sources:
Massachusetts Archives or colonial military records.
Family letters or diaries.
French Canadian records mentioning Marie-Elisabeth-Isabelle.
2. The Journey to Canada
Key Questions:
What route did James Jr. take to Canada? Was it by land, water, or both?
What challenges did he face (e.g., weather, terrain, conflicts)?
How long did the journey take?
Potential Sources:
Travel accounts or diaries from others who made similar journeys.
Historical maps of the region.
Colonial records detailing travel routes.
3. The Reunion with Marie-Elisabeth-Isabelle
Key Questions:
How did Marie-Elisabeth-Isabelle react to her brother’s arrival? Did she want to return to New England?
What was her life like in Quebec by 1730? How had she assimilated into French Canadian culture?
Did James Jr. and his sister maintain contact after his visit?
Potential Sources:
French Canadian church records (baptismal, marriage, burial).
Letters or diaries from James Jr. or Marie-Elisabeth-Isabelle.
Local histories of Quebec and Deerfield.
4. The Broader Context
Key Questions:
What was the political situation between England and France in 1730? Were there ongoing tensions after Queen Anne’s War?
How common were family reunions like this? Did other captives choose to stay in Canada?
What role did Indigenous groups play in these conflicts?
Potential Sources:
English and French colonial records.
Indigenous perspectives (oral histories or accounts).
Histories of Queen Anne’s War and its aftermath.
Next Steps for Research
Search for Military Records:
Look for James Jr.’s service records or mentions of his 1730 expedition in Massachusetts Archives or colonial military records.
Use genealogical databases like Ancestry or FamilySearch to search for James Catlin Jr. in military records.
Explore French Canadian Records:
Search for Marie-Elisabeth-Isabelle Lacasse dit Corse in Quebec church records.
Look for any mention of James Jr.’s visit in French colonial archives.
Look for Travel Accounts:
Search for diaries or letters from other travelers who made similar journeys between New England and Quebec in the early 18th century.
Check Local Histories:
Look for histories of Deerfield, Massachusetts, and the region where Marie-Elisabeth-Isabelle lived in Quebec.
Maps: Show the route James Jr. likely took to Canada and the location of Deerfield and Quebec.
Role-Playing: Have your grandsons imagine they are James Jr. or Marie-Elisabeth-Isabelle. What would they have done in their situation?
Timeline: Create a timeline of events from the Deerfield Massacre (1704) to James Jr.’s journey (1730).
Letters or Diaries: Share any surviving documents to make the history feel more personal.