Genealogy serendipity seems to be quite common, almost everyone has a story to tell. Although not the first time I have had this sensation and probably not the last, I had one of those moments today that could be described as coincidental or maybe something more.
Recently I have been getting assistance with my Quebec research from a kind and patient soul. This has me reviewing and reading through my research, exploring my records and assessing what I have and what I am missing. I also have been going through Quebec City Directories looking at addresses for my ancestors. Once I have located the addresses I have also been getting familiar with the maps of old Quebec, located also on the BAnQ website. This process is what I was working on when I realized that I had recently walked by a location of a relative’s restaurant.
Samuel Laprise married my three times great grandmother’s sister Elizabeth Jeffery at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Quebec City on March 17, 1853. Elizabeth was the widow of George Robertson and already had a daughter Elizabeth.
Samuel was running the British American Hotel and later the London Coffee House on the Cul de Sac in old Quebec City. These were located in Directories Marcotte of Quebec and their predecessors, 1822-1976.
Discovering these locations I next went to Google Earth to see where it was and found them on the street below that I highlighted in orange.
Cul de Sac found on Google Earth.
Once I saw this location on Google Earth I was instantly reminded of the trip I had recently taken to Quebec City in June and a very particular picture that I took.
16 cul de sac was the location of the British American Hotel in 1864 and is now the Fudgerie a chocolate shop.
I had walked this street many times during my vacation and had been drawn to this location. I had photographed the street and added it as my Facebook cover picture. When you think about how many pictures I took during the trip of countless locations and monuments the fact that I selected this one to represent my trip on Facebook has some significance to me.
Information the London Coffee House that was owned by George Pozer. This information was found on the website.
Samuel and his wife along with their three children left Quebec City in 1868, relocating to Chicago, Illinois. Samuel had his fill of restaurants, once in his new home he worked as a cooper. They did not return to Quebec City and they are buried together in Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago.
With help from my friend I hope to learn more about Samuel and Elizabeth’s business located on the Cul de Sac in Quebec City.
My Genealogy Life 
Awesome – very interesting !!!!!Good luck in your research. Namaste Yvonne
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Thanks Yvonne.
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Hello – also have a Jeffreys from Argenteuil or Grenville, Quebec. She was my GG grandmother b. in 1824 d. 1903, Buried in Westbourne Cemetery, Westbourne, Manitoba. She married George Nelson Albright and they came west via ox cart to Manitoba in the 1870’s. They had several children and I have most of them. Are we somehow related? Have been searching for years trying to find this Jeffrey family.
Lauraine Syrnoick
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I am not sure if our Jeffrey families connect but it would be worthwhile to investigate. Do you know anything more about your gg grandmother?
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Very cool you got to go to Quebec City to see those locations 🙂 Thanks for sharing the story!
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Thank you for reading my blog and for commenting. I look forward to traveling to Quebec City again soon
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Good idea to use google earth
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