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Phaneuf/Fannaff/Faneuf...and variations

Phaneuf/Fannaff/Faneuf...and variations

Posted: 29 Jun 2010 12:39PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Phaneuf/Fannaff/Faneuf
My maternal great-great grandfather was Alexander Benjamin Fannaff, born in 1841, Vermont. He enlisted in the Union army in New York, and ended up settling down in Grand Rapids, Michigan, after the war. On the census, he appears as 'Alexander B.' or 'Benjamin A.' His parents are listed as born in "Canada, French." His mother was named Arcene. (I did find her living next door to him in GR sometime in the 1890s), and I have his father down as William (but I'm doubting that.)

I can't find anything prior to the war; but there are two other Fannaff's showing up in GR around this period: Maxim and Joseph. Both born in the early 1840s in Vermont. Joseph enlisted in the Union army in New York, as well... and I do find him boarding with Benjamin at one point. There is also a Mary Freeman, listed as the widowed sister of Benjamin, living with him in 1910; and a Louis Faneuf (b. Vermont in the same period) living in the Detroit area after the war;

Since Fannaff - - in _any_ of its variations - - is an unusual name, I am going on the assumption that these men are related. If not brothers, then cousins at the very least. But I just cannot crack that 1860 wall and get back to Vermont, or check the relationships in any substantial way.

Has anyone come across this Vermont - Michigan connection?

- Alison

Re: Phaneuf/Fannaff/Faneuf...and variations

Posted: 14 Jul 2010 1:05AM GMT
Classification: Query
I have done some looking for you. Arcene/Arsene is a very unusual first name for a woman. It is usually a man's name.
I found:

BENONI PHANEUF
Père: PIERRE PHANEUF
Mère: ROSALIE GIRARD
Gedcom de Henry, Pierrette (316): Hamel, Henry, Bouthillier, Carrier, Archambault (08-2007)
Date de mariage: 21 OCT 1834 Lieu: ST PIE
ARSENE HAMEL
Père: MICHEL HAMEL
Mère: BRIGITTE BOUDREAU

Note this daughter and the spelling of the surname:
Groom's Name: John St. Clair
Groom's Birth Date: 1838
Groom's Birthplace: Canada
Groom's Age: 25
Bride's Name: Praxade Fannaff
Bride's Birth Date: 1841
Bride's Birthplace: Canada
Bride's Age: 22
Marriage Date: 10 Nov 1863
Marriage Place: Chicopee, Hampden Co, Massachusetts
Groom's Father's Name: John St. Clair
Groom's Mother's Name: Emily Richards
Bride's Father's Name: Beloney Fannaff
Bride's Mother's Name: Arcen Hamelle
Groom's Race:
Groom's Marital Status: Single
Groom's Previous Wife's Name:
Bride's Race:
Bride's Marital Status:
Bride's Previous Husband's Name:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M00885-4
System Origin: Massachusetts-EASy
Source Film Number: 2027069
Reference Number: Item 3 p7 rn3064
Collection: Massachusetts Marriages, 1695-1910

It looks like Praxade was Alexander's sister and that she later married a Freeman. Her age is estimated in the death record and is off the age in the marriage record.
Michigan death records for the two:
http://seekingmichigan.org/u?/p129401coll7,687580

http://seekingmichigan.org/u?/p129401coll7,398698

The father is listed as William or Benjamin. I do not know about the William. I have, however, seen many cases were the name Benoni/Beloni wass changed to Benjamin in the States.

Chris

Re: Phaneuf/Fannaff/Faneuf...and variations

Posted: 14 Jul 2010 12:49PM GMT
Classification: Query

!!!!!!!WOW!!!!!
Thank you, Chris!! This is huge!!

alix

Re: Phaneuf/Fannaff/Faneuf...and variations

Posted: 14 Jul 2010 6:41PM GMT
Classification: Query
Email me at joyness@optonline.net if you want further info.
Chris
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