I'm reaching out to all Brick Wall Busters~~ I've got a 20 year brick wall challenge for you!
My 2nd great grandfather is Charles Rousseau born about 1830 in Canada. The earliest I can find him in is:
1860 Mackinac, St Ignace, Michigan with his father in law, Solomon Martin, living next door.
Charles' family is with him~~ Last name is spelled "Rousseaux":
Charlott Martin listed as Indian, her son Antoine Babineaux and her son, Macala. This is the only census and record I can find for Macala~~ Possibly died?? Antoine stays with the family but his last name continuously changes. I think Charlotte may have been married before Charles and had these 2 kids but I've found no record of it.
1870 Mackinac, St Ignace, Michigan Census:
Charles Rousseau (listed as a US citizen)
Charlotte (wife)
Joseph M. (son)
Charlotte J (daughter)~~ Only record I have found for her (died???)
Antoine Delosier (like I said, his name changes) listed as Indian.
1880 Hendricks, Mackinac, Michigan Census
Reso Charles
Reso Charlotte
Reso Antoine (now he's taken on their name)
Reso Joseph
Reso Charles
Reso John (this is my great grandfather)
This 1880 Census is the last I can find for everyone except my great grandfather. I have found several possibles but nothing seems to match. Everyone else I've talked to who is researching this same Rousseau family is stuck in the same place I am!
Family story that was passed down to me was John Jonas Rousseau (my ggrandfather) was raised on the Red Cliff Reservation in an orphanage. There are many families named Babineau(x) there and my grandmother told me about her cousin named Charlie Babineau....so I believe this Antoine and Macala Babineau have some connection to my family. The son Charles went to Duluth, Minnesota to work for the Salvation Army and because of that the entire family disowned him. I have contacted the Salvation Army but they have no record of a Charles Rousseau. I have check with several organizations but have come up empty on locating the orphanage my ggrandfather was in. Could he have been raised by a Babineau family???
I have found a lot of information on Charlotte Martin and her father but I really, really dream of someday knowing who Charles Rousseau's parents were, his DOB and where he was born.
Please, if you can help me knock this wall down or even take a few bricks out I would be so grateful!!!!