April 20, 7:30 p.m.

Please join us as we welcome Carol Ufford and Dawn Kelly – “The Bachelorette New France” – intriguing stories of New France.

In 1630 New France was populated mainly by men. France recognized that there were threats to its economy from the British in the south, and set out to grow the colony by encouraging young women to immigrate, marry and populate the young colony.

Between 1634 and 1663 the Company of 100 Associates sponsored 260 young women who are now known as Les Filles à Marier or The Marriageable Girls. In 1663 the French king took over governing the colony. Louis XIV established a program to bring young female immigrants to New France. These 768 women are now known as Les Filles du Roi or The King’s Daughters.

Contrary to popular belief, these women were not prostitutes. Many were orphans or from poor families. These young women were able to choose their husbands, and because men far outnumbered them, they had plenty of choices. They led fascinating lives in the wilderness of New France and left behind stories of bigamy, incest, witchcraft, and murder!