The word Acadia has been interpreted by many historians to mean "fertile land, or rich pastures". This first settlement was established on the Isle-of-St.-Croix, at St. Croix River near Calais Maine. These people, who were selected by the French authorities, are said to have been highly skilled craftsmen and farmers. This choice was made in an effort to make the colony as self-sufficient as possible, thus ensuring the success of the settlement. After experiencing harsh winters and extreme cold on this small island, they moved their settlement into the rich agricultural area of the Bay of Fundy, which subsequently became known as Acadia.
The area comprising today's New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, was once known as "ACADIA". The first Frenchmen arrived at Port Royal (present-day Annapolis Royal), in 1605. Settlement continued until the early 1700's when, in 1713, ACADIA was given to the British. Although a large majority of Acadians were exiled from Nova Scotia between 1755 and 1759 (Le Grand Derangement), many escaped to New Brunswick and remained in the more remote areas of that part of ACADIA. Many traveled back to France, or settled in Quebec. In 1785, many ACADIANS immigrated to Louisiana where they became known as CAJUNS.
For additional information, read "The Acadians of Atlantic Canada" and "The Acadian Diaspora" by E.B. Lapointe.
You can now order "Acadian-Cajun Family Genealogy" CD-ROM's for the specific family you are researching, for just $26.95 each (USA Funds).
Each CD-ROM includes lineage-linked genealogical information on between 1,000+ to 25,000+ individuals, along with pertinent Acadian-Cajun historical texts and a bunch of Acadian songs (with lyrics).
Available Acadian Genealogies
Of course it will be noted that, while French-Canadian, some of the above-noted families are not Acadian. These 'specific family' CD-ROMs are offered to assist your research, given the fact that there were/are numerous inter-marriages between French-Canadians and Acadians.
Acadian-Cajun Family Trees and SAR Patriot Index
Canadian Government Increases Funding of Acadian Heritage Center
Acadian-Cajun Family Trees
ACADIAN GenWeb Site
Acadian and French-Canadian Genealogy: Acadian and French-Canadian Style
ACADIAN - CAJUN Genealogy & History
Acadian Genealogy Exchange
Acadian Cultural Society
Acadia and the Acadians
The Acadian Flags
Acadian History and related Links
Acadian-Cajun Genealogy: Step by Step
Genealogist's Handbook for Atlantic Canada Research
Acadian descendants
Acadian to Cajun: Transformation of a People
