Upcoming Events and Activities

Saturday, January 25, at 2:30 p.m.

Most historians have heard of the “Auld “alliance between France and Scotland dating back to the early 13th century. Others are familiar with the Scottish settlement of the New World after the Seven Years’ Years’ and Irish immigration during the potato famine in the mid-19^th century. This presentation is groundbreaking in that it identifies new and essential points of Scottish immigration to the New World, primarily to what is present-day Quebec.

Nova Scotia claims the home of the first Scottish immigration to Canada, with the arrival of the ship The Hector in 1773. This presentation dispels this myth, based on nine years of research and genealogy. The music of Quebec, the place names, and the history of many French Canadian families are intertwined with the Scottish immigrants who settled in Quebec, helping to make the province what it is today. This presentation offers a different perspective on our history and explains many things hidden in time that are only now being uncovered; it is only the tip of the iceberg.

Ewen Booth “Le Chardon et la Fleur de Lys”

Ewen Booth is a historical researcher who uses genealogy as a tool to explore areas uncommonly ventured into by others. He and his wife, Kathleen McKen, have lived in Montmagny since relocating in 2017. Ewen is a former police officer and museum volunteer who is passionate about history. He uses his experience to unfold history that was never discovered by others previously. With over 140 active family trees, Ewen’s work continues to grow. Intending to put these stories on paper and develop mini videos for a YouTube audience, Ewen has also created a Scottish history tour of Quebec City and the south shore of the St. Lawrence River based out of Montmagny.

Ewen was the recipient of the 2020 Gordon Atkinson Memorial Prize in Highlander Military History by the Quebec Thistle Council and is the owner of “Le Ch “rdon et la Fleur de Lys,” a history project that turned into a business which captures all that he does: research, genealogy, history tours, public presentations, YouTube videos and written short stories. In addition, Ewen and Kathleen are restoring their 1767 home while researching previous homeowners, many of whom are relatives of Kathleen. Kathleen is a French-Canadian descendant of a Scottish soldier who remained in Quebec after 1763 and is the Quebec Commissioner for the Clan MacKinnon Society. Join us on our journey!