Auprix dit Laramee Information Request
My grandfather Francois Xavier Auprix dit Laramee was born August 18, 1863 in Montreal He died in 1936 in Lawrence Mass.He was baptized at Notre Dame de Grace in Montreal.He married Marie Emilie Houle on December 28, 1885 at Cunegonde in Montreal.Marie was born October 21, 1867 in Laurierville Megantic and was baptized at Saint Julie de Somerset church in Laurierville. She died in 1950 in Weymouth, Mass. They applied for citizenship in 1892 and became citizens on October 9, 1897.It was in becoming a citizen that Francois declared his name as Frank and the given name of Auprix was dropped in favor of the taken name Laramee.Frank entered the US for the first time through Ausable Forks, NY in 1866 and originally settled in RI before coming to Lawrence.
His children were Henry,Wilfred,Oscar,Margaret,John,Amelia and Peter.
I am an amateur who went on his own to Montreal and to Salt Lake City to research my ancestry. In the process I was given to understand that my ancestors, Aupry dit Laramee, who dropped the Aupry when they immigrated to the US. In addition, I was told that the two names practice "x dit y", was introduced by the Canadian military who could not deal with the frenchis because they had too many names that were the same. So they required them on entry into the military to add an additional name. This is similar to many smiths being required to add Smith from Brooklyn or Smith from the Outskirts or some other way of distinguishing themselves from others. Now, in addition, I was led to believe that it was the second name that was added, not the first name.... This would mean that the only related Laramees are the ones with the same double name, if true. Does anyone have information on this?
Also, I found it impossible to read many of the birth certificates precisely because those signing did so in writing and there was no printed interpretation. So there could be many people related who have varying names that could look alike with a scribbled handwritten signature... For me that reresents Aupry, Auprix, Aupris, Auprie, Aupri and potentially Aubry and its variations. The same could be said of Laramee, Laramie, Larmie, Larramie, Larrabee etc.
I also was told that the French had trouble with non-french names and more often than not would change the pronunciation which in turn changed the ultimate spelling. A possible example of this is the origin of Aupry, which I was told came from O'Brennan. This over time became Aubrie or Aubry and ultimately Aupry.
Lastly, I was told that it was normal for Indians to marry white French Canadians and change their name to a french name.
I would love to know if anyone has confirmation or different understandings...
Art Laramee [email protected]