To Roberta and the others asking about this subject, The area at the south end of Lake Winnipeg, where the Red River flows in to the lake, was known as the Lower Red River Valley in Hudson Bay Company days. I think the Bas de la Riviere name probably refers to this area. The HBC freed some of its fur trade workers from their five year contracts if they would settle in this area to farm, and produce food for the Company Posts. Lower Fort Garry was the post in this area, which is still maintained as a historical attraction by Parks Canada. My great grandfather and two brothers came over from Scotland in 1820 on such a contract, and I have copies of their contracts from the HBC archives which are now housed in the Manitoba Archives in Winnipeg. They were paid 15 Pounds Sterling for the five years, to be paid at the end of the term, and any damage to company property or furs would be deducted. If they defected, possibly to marry a native woman, they forfeited their payment. They were stationed at Cumberland House near the Manitoba - Saskatchewan border south of Flin Flon. Half way through the contract, one brother was made a freeman, and we believe he may have been settled in the Lower Red River area, but have not been able to find any more record of him. The other two, were later posted to the Great Slave Lake area, and eventually returned to Scotland in 1825. My g-grandfather emigrated back to Argenteuil Co., Quebec, in 1833. Bill Brady, Ottawa, ON