And "dit" is the third person singular (present tense) of the French verb dire ("to say") (ie. Il dit - he says) , so "dit" often translated into "called", such as Pierre dit Lombard (Pierre "called himself" Lombard, to perhaps differentiate himself from other) Maybe another tiny hint. Jane Nicholson On 8-Jul-08, at 8:39 PM, Laurie wrote: > An arpent is a French way of measuring land. It's equal to 100 square > perches (A perche is a French equivalent of the English rod). A > square > perche is 368 square feet, so calculated out one square arpent would > be .84 > of an acre. > > "Dit" names are complicated. It seems the French liked to add onto > family > names to identify one family from another. The "dit" name can > represent any > number of things, most often the area from where they came (usually in > France). It was also used to recognize ownership of land passed down > through the family, or to recognize ancient family names. Sometimes > it was > used to keep the existing French name while standardizing the name to > something more local. I believe there is also some military > attachment to > some of the names. > > Briard, I believe, tells you the area of France from where they > came, and > there are several "Brie" towns near Larochelle which might seem > likely for > the Lejeune name. > > Hope that helps, > Laurie > > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: ns-cape-breton-bounces@rootsweb.com > [mailto:ns-cape-breton-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Karen M > Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 5:15 PM > To: NS-CAPE-BRETON@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [NS-CB] translation question > > I've been doing some research on the french side of my family and > have a > question. In the records I've found and on Lark's LeJeune page > items are > listed as follows: > > > A. Pierre LeJeune dit Briars/Briard #2, > > > > What does the dit Briars/Briard#2 mean. Also while reading Lark's > page it > states the family had 1 arpent of land, is that an acre? > > > > Thanks > > Karen > > Searching for Edwards, husband of Mary Paulina Jessome, Almon, > MacNeil, > MacDougall in CB and Mullen, Savage and Sullivan in Boston > > visit my pond at > www.karenspond.com > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Carol MacLean" <ritam@axion.net> > To: <NS-CAPE-BRETON@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 12:21 AM > Subject: [NS-CB] Cape Breton Deaths July 08, 2008 Tuesday > > >> Cape Breton Deaths July 08, 2008 Tuesday >> >> Lawrence Nearing 75, Glace Bay - It is with great sadness that we, >> the >> family, announce the passing of Lawrence Ronald Nearing on Sunday >> July 6, >> 2008, at the Glace Bay Health Care Facility, with his family by his >> side. >> Born in Glace Bay, he was the son of the late James and Margaret >> Nearing. >> Lawrence was an avid Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Blue Jays fan. >> He >> truly loved to go fishing and hunting. He was well known for his >> great >> apple pie. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Audley >> (Appleton); five sons, Lawrence (Debbie), Fabian (Joan), Danny, >> Michael, >> Brian (Cindy); his only daughter, Darlene; grandchildren, Lawrence, >> Robert >> (Melanie), Cheryl (Warrick), Neil, Michelle, Joshua, Morgan; >> great-grandchildren, Caleigh, Lawrence Michael, Ethan, Adam; his best >> friend and brother, Jim (Annie); beloved sister, Joan (Dave Fowler). >> Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers, Charles >> and Joe, >> sisters, Viola and Bridget. By request there will be no visitation. A >> funeral mass will be celebrated Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at 11 a.m. >> in St. >> John's Church, New Aberdeen, with Fr. John MacIntyre officiating. >> For >> those who wish, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society. >> Online condolences may be sent to the Nearing family at >> www.vjmcgillivray.ca. >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Barbara Mary Blanche Carey April 1, 1922-July 6, 2008 Mill Creek - >> It is >> with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our dear mother, >> grandmother, sister and aunt, Barbara Mary Blanche Carey, 86, of >> 158 Point >> Aconi Rd., Mill Creek. >> Barbara, our loving mother, died Sunday, July 6, 2008, in the >> Northside >> General Hospital, North Sydney. Born April 1, 1922, in Sydney >> Mines, she >> was the daughter of the late Henry and Maisie (Davis) Sexton. >> Barbara is >> survived by son, Glenn and wife, Marlene, Florence; daughter, >> Melanie, >> Mill >> Creek; son-in-law, Gerald Bragg, Howie Centre; grandchildren, Justin >> Bragg, >> Halifax, and Jenna Bragg, Howie Centre; brothers and sister, Howard >> (Margaret), North Sydney, Eleanor Marks, Sydney Mines, Orville >> (Martha), >> Sydney Mines, and Glenn (Brenda), Georges River; sisters-in-law, >> Ellen >> Regis Whryn, Sydney Mines, Catherine Carey, Sydney Mines, and Marie >> Carey, >> St. Catharines, Ont. Barbara will be deeply missed by her nieces and >> nephews and her many close friends and dear neighbours. Besides her >> parents, she was predeceased by husband, Mark in 1994. There will no >> visitation. Cremation has taken place under the care and direction of >> Francis Funeral Home, Sydney Mines. A memorial service will be held >> at >> 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 12 in St. Joseph's Church, Bras d'Or, >> with Fr. >> Peter McLeod and family friend, Fr. Jake Andrea officiating. Burial >> will >> be >> in the parish cemetery. A reception will follow in the Bras d'Or >> Seniors >> and Pensioners Hall, Main Street, Bras d'Or. Memorial donations may >> be >> made >> to the Canadian Cancer Society, St. Joseph's Cemetery Fund, Bras >> d'Or, or >> any charity of choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at: >> gcarey@ns.sympatico.ca. >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> >> Alice Margaret Fisher Nov. 18, 1908-July 6, 2008 Annapolis Royal/New >> Waterford >> - With gratitude for her long, active life sadly the family >> announces the >> death of Alice Margaret Fisher at the Annapolis Royal Nursing Home >> in her >> 100th year. >> Born in Louisbourg, Cape Breton on Nov. 18,1908, she was the fourth >> child >> of Douglas W. and Katherine (Boutilier) Ley. Alice attended school in >> Louisbourg, graduated from Sydney Academy and the Nova Scotia Normal >> School, Truro. Always interested in children and learning, >> supportive and >> generous with her time, she taught elementary and high school >> grades in >> various communities, including Louisbourg and New Waterford. Many >> of her >> students became lifelong friends. >> Her marriage to Victor A. Fisher in 1936 brought Alice to New >> Waterford >> where she taught at Central School and actively participated in many >> aspects of community life. She was a life-member of the United >> Church >> Women at Calvin United Church, a charter and life-member of King >> Edward >> VIII IODE and keen bridge player. She was an avid reader and enjoyed >> travelling all her life. >> For 70 years, Alice supported the work of the Rotary Club of New >> Waterford >> and was a Paul Harris Fellow. Efficient, loyal, enthusiastic with a >> great >> sense of humour, Alice enjoyed entertaining, readily and happily. The >> beautiful articles she knitted, crocheted or quilted were much >> admired and >> appreciated. Alice is survived by her daughter, Katherine (John) >> Nickerson, >> Annapolis Royal; sons, Lorne, British Columbia; and Ralph (Louise), >> New >> Glasgow; four grandchildren, Tanya (Michael) Tuckman, Florida, >> Geoffrey >> (Kelly) Fisher, New Zealand, Amy Fisher, Minneapolis and New Glasgow, >> Aaron >> Fisher, Sydney; along with two great-grandchildren and two >> step-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. >> Alice was predeceased by her husband, Victor A. Fisher, brothers, >> Marshall, >> Albert, Warren and sisters, Florrie MacQueen and Edith Nicholson as >> well >> as >> a granddaughter, Nadine Nickerson. The family would like to thank all >> those >> who assisted with Alice's care during her last three years, >> especially >> Colleen and Gordon Bragg and the staff of the Annapolis Royal >> Nursing Home >> as well as all those who visited her in person, by letter or phone >> calls. >> Visitation will be held Tuesday evening, July 8, 2008, from 7-9 >> p.m. in >> the >> V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith St., New Waterford, N.S. >> (902-862-6439). A funeral service to celebrate Alice's life will be >> held >> Wednesday, July 9, 2008, at 2 p.m. in Calvin United Church, New >> Waterford, >> with Rev. Duncan Roach officiating. A reception will be held >> immediately >> after the service in the church hall followed by interment in >> Forest Haven >> Memorial Gardens. As an expression of sympathy for Alice, donations >> in her >> memory may be made to Calvin United Church, Canadian Diabetes >> Association >> or a charity of one's choice. Condolences to the family can be >> expressed >> through the funeral home at: >> www.vjmcgillivray.ca. >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Sharon Anne (McGuire) MacQueen 66, Sydney, N.S. - It is with heavy >> hearts >> and great sadness that we, the children announce the passing of our >> dear >> mother and best friend, Sharon Anne MacQueen. She passed away >> peacefully >> in >> her home surrounded by her family on Monday July 7, 2008, following a >> courageous battle with cancer. Sharon was born Oct. 24, 1941, in >> Sydney, >> to >> the late James Henry and Mary Jovita (Sampson) McGuire. Sharon >> attended >> St. >> Joseph's School and then graduated from Holy Angels High School in >> 1960. >> In >> April 1961, she was united in marriage to Bruce MacQueen who passed >> away >> in >> 1984. In 1990, Sharon met her common-law partner, Douglas Ritchie who >> passed away in the summer of 2007. >> Sharon was employed with Sydco Fuels Ltd. for 23 years until her >> retirement >> in 2005. Sharon is survived by her six loving children and 13 >> wonderful >> grandchildren. Her eldest son, Todd and his wife, Lisa and two sons, >> Matthew and Tyler, Saint John, N.B.; son, Bruce and his two sons, >> Brandon >> and Logan, Miramichi, N.B.; daughter, Deborah Muldoon and her >> husband, >> Daniel, and their son, Ryan and daughter, Sarah, Sydney, N.S.; >> daughter, >> Jody Butterworth and her husband, Ken and their three sons, Kenneth, >> Jonathan and Jeremy, Tampa Bay, Fla.; son, James and his wife, >> Rachel and >> their two daughters, Stella and Audrey, Toronto, Ont.; and youngest >> daughter, Karen Pace and her husband, Michael and two sons, Kyle and >> Justin, Sydney, N.S. Sharon's sister, Donna Vail and her husband, >> Douglas >> reside in Moncton, N.B. She is further survived by one niece, two >> nephews, >> as well as her aunt and uncles, many cousins, friends and her >> mother-in-law, Katherine Arlene MacQueen (MacGillivary Guest Home). >> Sharon's dedication to her children and grandchildren was nothing >> short of >> inspirational. Her boundless love and pride was evident every time >> she >> spoke of them. She touched the hearts of many with her warm smile and >> genuine concern for others. We are all better people because of >> her. She >> will be forever in our hearts. Cremation has taken place. There >> will be >> no visitation. Funeral services for Sharon will be held at 11 a.m., >> Thursday, July 10, 2008, at St. Anthony Daniel Church with Fr. Donald >> MacGillivary officiating. Reception to follow at S.W. Chant & Son >> Funeral >> Home reception area. Interment to take place in Resurrection >> Cemetery, >> Sydney Forks. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cape >> Breton >> Palliative Care Society or the VON. The family would like to extend >> a very >> special thank you to Cape Breton Palliative Care and Victoria Order >> of >> Nurses, homemakers for their incredible care and support. Online >> condolences may be sent to our webpage at >> www.chantfuneralhome.com. >> Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Chant's Funeral >> Home, 564 >> Alexandra St. >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Bernice MacIntyre - It is with deep sadness that we announce the >> passing >> of >> Bernice MacIntyre on Monday, July 7, 2008, at the Cape Breton >> Regional >> Hospital, Sydney. Funeral arrangements, under the direction of T.W. >> Curry >> Parkview Chapel, are incomplete at this time. >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Mamie Kathleen MacLennan - Mamie Kathleen MacLennan, RN, 91, passed >> away >> on >> July 6, 2008, in the Northside General Hospital, North Sydney. Born >> in >> Elemsdale, N.S., she was the daughter of the late Samuel Paley and >> Caroline >> (Isenor) Paley. >> She graduated from Nova Scotia and Victoria General Hospital in >> 1940 and >> became an RN in 1941. She nursed for many years at the Toronto >> General >> Hospital. >> She and her husband, 'MJ' resided in Toronto for 35 years, then >> moved to >> North River, Victoria County, N.S., in 1982. She is survived by her >> husband >> of 55 years, Murdock J. MacLennan and many nieces and nephews. >> Besides >> her >> parents, she was also predeceased by six sisters and two brothers. >> Visitation will be Wednesday evening, July 9, 7-9 p.m. Funeral >> service >> will >> be held at St. Ann's Bay United Church, Thursday, July 10 at 2 p.m. >> with >> Rev. Diane Kempt officiating, followed by interment in Goose Cove >> Cemetery. >> Donations in Mamie's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Society or >> charity of one's choice. >> Arrangements are under the direction of MacAskill Funeral Home, >> Baddeck. >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Georgina Ann (Bishop) Denette - Georgina Ann (Bishop) Denette, >> formerly of >> Sydney, N.S., and Florida and Connecticut, U.S.A., passed away >> Sunday, >> July >> 6, 2008, in her 64th year. Georgie leaves behind her husband, David, >> daughter, Ruth and four grandsons. She was predeceased by her >> parents, >> Robert and Annie Bishop and siblings, Craig, Joan, Walter and >> Robert. She >> will be lovingly remembered by those who are left behind, sisters, >> Thelma, >> Vancouver, Carmillus, Antigonish, Grace (Wayne) Dartmouth; brothers, >> Douglas, Winnipeg, Charles, Vancouver, Frederick, Dartmouth; and >> several >> cousins, nieces and nephews. >> Cremation has taken place. A memorial and internment plan are yet >> to be >> finalized. >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Maxine (Freid) Dwyer 61, Sydney - Maxine (Freid) Dwyer passed away >> peacefully at home with her mother by her side on Saturday, July 5, >> 2008, >> after a short illness. Born in Newfoundland, Maxine was the >> daughter of >> Mary (Fitzgerald) Freid and the late Jerry Freid. At one time, >> Maxine was >> an interior decorator and her article was published in the Cape >> Breton >> Post >> weekly. She is survived by her mother and best friend, Mrs. Mary >> Freid, >> Sydney; and son, Jerry Dwyer, Newfoundland. Maxine was predeceased >> by her >> father, Jerry Freid and brother, Melvin. Cremation has taken place >> and >> burial will be held in Newfoundland at a later date. Condolences >> may be >> sent to the family at >> sydneymemorialchapel@ns.sympatico.ca. >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Donald Gerard (Archie) McIsaac Funeral Notice - Donald Gerard >> (Archie) >> McIsaac passed away May 19, 2008, in Trenton, Ont. Born in Glace >> Bay, May >> 26, 1935, son of the late Duncan and Sadie MacIsaac. Predeceased by >> brother, Joseph (Doady). >> Brother of Margaret, Marilyn, Lionel, Ronald, Dorita and Loretta. >> Father >> of >> Alan and Gregory. Grandfather of Keith. Will be missed by all >> family and >> many friends. Service at St. Anne's Church, Glace Bay, Wednesday, >> July 9, >> 2008, at 10 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations kindly accepted to MS >> Society >> > **************************************************************************** > *** >> >> Cape Breton Deaths courtesy of CBGHA http://www.cbgha.org >> >> >> >> ------------------------------- >> To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to >> NS-CAPE-BRETON-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' >> without >> the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > NS-CAPE-BRETON-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' > without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to NS-CAPE-BRETON-request@rootsweb.com > with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and > the body of the message

Think of dit names much like the naming system the Scots and/or the early Cape Bretoners. First, in the old days families were large and people did not move far away from their ancestral home. A single couple could easily have as many as 80 - 100 grandchildren. If the original parents were John and Mary, probably only two of their offspring would be named John and Mary, but the next generation would have ten Johns and ten Marys. If you are a grandparent and have ten grandsons named John, how do you differentiate? Likewise, how would the grandchildren identify each other? So you get big John, little John, old John, red John, John Alex (alex's son), Michael John (Michael's son), John the Post, etc. Over the years these become formalized. Now if an unrelated family with the same surname suddenly appears how would their son John be identified? John the stranger? John from away? John dit carpenter? John fitz Henry? Just a thought