Category: Notre 5¢

Franco-Americans all around Maine may have different tastes in music, but certain melodies connect friends and families. The past and present come together through  Franco-American and French-Canadian folk music and dance. Folkmusic and folkdance originating from the medieval era were brought to New France with the early settlers. These were intermingled with newer songs and … Continue reading La Musique Franco-Américaine

Many Franco-American families, as well as many other cultures, share a history of canning. Though the popularity of food preservation and it’s various usages has spread worldwide, to many Franco-Americans it holds a special meaning, as it is a part of their past dating back to its invention in France in the late 1700s. In … Continue reading Preserving Culture

A brief look into the naming conventions of the French Canadian and Franco-American communities. Continue reading Franco-American Naming Conventions

World War I shook people in many ways, yet certain aspects of the aftermath are seldom talked about. The desire to disaffiliate with our wartime adversaries pushed many people of the United States toward a more nationalistic idea of ‘Americanism.’ It was considered by many that speaking languages other than English was un-American and unpatriotic.  … Continue reading I Will Not Speak French

An important subject to study, but a difficult one—this post examines the role of the Ku Klux Klan in Maine politics in the early 1920s and how it affected Franco-American communities. Continue reading Francos, Maine, & Klan Politics in the 1920s

In the early 1800s, agriculture and family-life were very interwoven—this article takes a brief look into the historical roles of women in Lower Canada. Continue reading A Farm & Family — The Lives of Women in Lower Canada

What are some of the customs of French speakers in North America? The traditions go back further than you might think. Continue reading Le Réveillon — A Look Back at Franco Holiday Celebrations

What is the difference between “frette” and “froide”? Student Dylan Smart-Pelletier takes a look at the history of the French language in North America. Continue reading Quelque Chose ou Amanchure? — A Short Look into the Roots of French in North America

As with all cultures, there were many traditions involved in a wedding. Two traditions of note in French-Canadian and Franco-American weddings are the “Sock Dance” and/or the “Trough Dance.” Continue reading Everyone’s Invited — A Few Franco Wedding Traditions