Discover the Family and Stories Behind Our Ancestry
This website explores the history of the Grozelle, Brown, Farrell, and Armstrong families through photographs, family memories, historical records, and stories passed down through generations.
the Mystery That Started It All
My journey began with an old family photograph album and a question we were asked as children: Could we be descendants of Médard des Groseilliers, the French explorer and fur trader?
The Four Family Names
The story of our family begins with four interconnected family lines: Grozelle, Brown, Farrell, and Armstrong.
As these families grew and joined through marriage, their stories became part of one shared history. Each family contributed its own people, places, traditions, photographs, and memories. By following these connections across generations, through photographs, movies and stories, we can better understand how our family developed and how the past continues to shape the present.
This section explores the ancestors and relationships that connect the four family lines. It also looks at the different surnames, name changes, and marriages that help explain how these families became one.
why a website
The Historic Photo Album
This family story began with an old photo album given to me by Sophia McLean, a cousin of my mother. Inside were black-and-white photographs of members of the Brown, Farrell, and Armstrong families.
The album inspired me to learn more about the people in these photographs and the family connections linking them across generations. Each image offers a glimpse into the lives, clothing, relationships, and traditions of our ancestors.
As you explore the photographs, you will meet family members such as John Brown, John Eades, and Francis Farrell. Some images have also been carefully enhanced or colourized to help bring these historic family stories to life.
WAS AN INSPIRATION FOR THIS WEBSITE
SNEAK A PEAK
pictures from the album
Because of the album you will get to meet John Brown (seated) with John Eades his son -in-law (standing with hand on John’s shoulder).
Black and White Video
Using the pictures in the album, I scanned and produced this black and white video. I wanted to show just a few of our ancestors as they posed for their portraits. A couple of pictures are tin type.
I also made a video in colour which you will see on “The Family Page” you will see all the relatives represented in colour.
You will enjoy seeing the fashions of the 1800s and the serious looks on the faces of the subjects. There are no smiles.
tHE FAMILY STORY
Family stories told us that we were descendants of Médard des Groseilliers, the French explorer and fur trader. To explore this possibility, I examined family photographs, names, marriages, historical records, and the connections between generations.
The Family Story Starts With A drawing of Medard de Groseilliers
Why a Drawing
No authentic contemporary portraits of the 17th-century explorer Médard Chouart des Groseilliers (1618–1696) exist, as photography had not been invented and no verified-life paintings of him were ever produced. [1]
What I Discovered
The research revealed important links between the Grozelle, Brown, Farrell, and Armstrong families. It also helped explain how surnames and family relationships changed over time. These discoveries gave new meaning to the stories preserved in our photographs and family memories.>
Family Stories
The research supports a connection between our Grozelle family and Médard des Groseilliers. However, family history is an ongoing investigation. New records may add detail, clarify relationships, or change what we currently understand.
This section shares the evidence, the reasoning behind the conclusions, and the questions that remain open for further research.
Explore the present-day Family
As I want to share the many pictures I have of our generation you will be able to see them here as well. This aspect of the website will introduce you to the families of today’s generation.
These families are a talented group. You will be able to view them in videos and photographs. They will be singing, playing the guitar, dancing, skiing or playing basket ball. We even have a writer in the family.
Because, there are videos of these talented people you will be able to decide for yourself if they are talented.
Clicking on the buttons below will take you to the videos featuring our young talented people.
FEED BACK PLEASE!
Your feedback is invaluable. It will help me put together a picture of our family history. I would really love to have pictures or texts showing the unique experiences in your family.
I know that each family has talented members. Please send me videos, texts and or pictures featuring their talents.
I look forward to hearing from you.
