Very good to hear from you. I have little information on your family down to today, but I think I have the same ancestral family in my data base. I have an Isaiah Vigneux (I think this is your John) born 1816 in St. Jacques, Montcalm Co, Quebec, died 1855 in Monroe. He is my great grandfather's older brother. Isaiah was married to Mary Louise Senever in 1838 in St. Ambroise, Joliette Co, Quebec. I have identified nine children, most of whom died as children in Monroe. The three for whom I don't have a childhood death record are: (1) Godfrey, born 6 August 1842 in St. Ambroise, Joliette Co, Quebec, married Marcelline Gagne, and these two are the ancestors of all the Venias I know about, (2) Francois, born 24 July 1844, St. Patrice, Rawdon, Joliette Co, Quebec, on whom I have no further information, and (3) Joseph, born 16 November 1852, on whom I also have no further information. I think you are descended from this Francois. My data comes primarily from the various parish registries in Canada and the marriage records put out by the Monroe County Genealogical Society I would be very interested in comparing notes further, and if the connection is valid, I have the ancestors all the way back to France in the late 1600s. I live in Texas but get to Michigan (Detroit) pretty regularly. Are you close by? Marchi1856@aol.com wrote: This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Venia, Montri, Shinaver, Boimier, Johnston, McCready, Light Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/UGB.2ACI/10.247.263.1340 Message Board Post: I am very interested in your research and specifically Godfrey Venia. In a biography written on my 2nd Great Grandfather Francis Venia of Wood county, it states his parents are John Venia born in Canada and Mary Shinavar also born in Candada. Frank is listed as one of ten children who migrated to Michigan at an early date. John died in 1852. What is most interesting is that a sibling named Godfrey Venia is listed as living in Whiteford twp Michigan. I found a death record for a Ralph Venia (spelled that way) in Whiteford who was the son of Godfrey and Marcelline Venia. In addition the 1900 census records have the name spelled as Venia. I have not found a Godfrey in Whiteford spelled differently. I recently contacted a Venia family member who gave some history on his line as he descended from Oscar Venia. Oscar was the son of William Venia and his father was Godfrey Venia. While speaking to him he recalled his fathers aunt Lyda Venia who was the wife of Harvey Venia. Harvey was the son of my 2nd great Grandfather Francis Venia who I believe is the brother to Godfrey. In addition Robert Venia who is the son of Oscar recalled Cecille Venia who had taken his wedding photo's. Cecille was an award winning photographer and the daughter of Lyda Montri Venia and Harvey Venia. I have spoke to Mary Clark who is the daughter of Margaret Venia. (Daughter of Lyda and Harvey Venia) she recalls meeting Oscar and William as a young child. We were never able to tie them into the family prior to now. I am leary about confirming this relationship because of the data you have here. Can you advise your sources for data or help me out here? Francis Harvey Venia was born in Michigan July 17, 1845 Godfrey Venia was born in Michigan/Canada? August 1843 Their father John Venia died in 1852 Their Mother Mary Shiniver remarried and was living in Monroe County to a John Boimier. The following statement is directly from the Wood County Biography written on Francis. He was born at Monroe, Michigan July 27, 1845, and is a son of John and Mary (Shinaver) Venia, natives of Canada, who at an early day located upon a farm in Michigan, where the father died in 1852. The mother still resides near Monroe, that State, and is now the wife of John Boimier. By her first union she had ten children, two of whom are now living Godfrey, who resided at Whiteford Center, Michigan, and Frank H. ==== MIMONROE Mailing List ==== Monroe County, Michigan site is at http://www.geocities.com/Athens/4105