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Nelly & the Mother LIne
Writer travels maritime Canada in search of matrilineal roots.
Paperback
Published January 1, 2019
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June 20, 2021
I stumbled upon this book quite by accident and am so grateful I did!
This is a charming book which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Perhaps because it is a topic near and dear to me, having worked on the Mothers of Acadia project for a number of years; perhaps because it takes me on a journey I also have taken: discovering my matrilineal line which is a totally different way of undertaking genealogical research. This focuses on "the women who birthed, mothered, and sustained a vibrant culture that Nancy Boudrot Spear portrays with elan and deep respect" to quote author Harry Thurston.
The nine-word description on Goodreads does not do it justice. Here is the text from the book jacket which I couldn't express better myself:
"...Enlivened by warm childhood memories of her much loved Acadian grandmother, the writer travels maritime Canada in search of her matrilineal roots - following nine generations of women, back to the 1600s, when Jeanne Chebrat left France and arrived in present day Nova Scotia.
While discovering her foremothers, the author explores social history, the ordeals of the deportation era, and the strengths of those who kept themselves and their Acadian culture alive. The story is a travelogue of regional locations, spotlighting the hospitality of present-day Maritimers, and the memorable adventures and genealogical advice they gave. Along with the author's captivating journey, this book holds universal values for us all..."
This is a charming book which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Perhaps because it is a topic near and dear to me, having worked on the Mothers of Acadia project for a number of years; perhaps because it takes me on a journey I also have taken: discovering my matrilineal line which is a totally different way of undertaking genealogical research. This focuses on "the women who birthed, mothered, and sustained a vibrant culture that Nancy Boudrot Spear portrays with elan and deep respect" to quote author Harry Thurston.
The nine-word description on Goodreads does not do it justice. Here is the text from the book jacket which I couldn't express better myself:
"...Enlivened by warm childhood memories of her much loved Acadian grandmother, the writer travels maritime Canada in search of her matrilineal roots - following nine generations of women, back to the 1600s, when Jeanne Chebrat left France and arrived in present day Nova Scotia.
While discovering her foremothers, the author explores social history, the ordeals of the deportation era, and the strengths of those who kept themselves and their Acadian culture alive. The story is a travelogue of regional locations, spotlighting the hospitality of present-day Maritimers, and the memorable adventures and genealogical advice they gave. Along with the author's captivating journey, this book holds universal values for us all..."
Displaying 1 of 1 review