Antoine Cyrille Theodore Marotte

More known as "Theodore Marotte" in his life, he was born on 1 February, 1854 in Richelieu, Quebec, Canada to Isaie-Gedeon Marotte and Josephte Bourgeois. Eight children were born to this couple, the first seven were born in Canada and Theodore was the seventh, with the eigth child, a sister, being born in Burlington, Vermont in 1860.

The first US Census we find Theodore was taken on 18 July 1860 and he is living with his family in Burlington, Vermont. This fits right in with the immigration information listed on his application; it states he immigrated in November, 1855 through St. Albans, Vermont which was the port of entry from Quebec into the United States at this time. He was naturalized on 2 November 1888.

The census records states his father was a tin smith. He is listed as a 'car builder' in the 1880 census but other censuses list him as a carpenter. He was someone who had multiple talents with his hands. His family stayed in Burlington, Vermont for the 1870 census also, but by the 1880 census he was in Pawtucket, Rhode Island living with his wife, Eliza Audette and their first child, Albena F. Marotte. Cora Anne, Alphonse, Alma and Alfred Eugene came along quickly and by 1885 they were expecting their sixth child.

Henry was born on 13 Feb 1888 and lived for 15 days, however, his mother died 8 days after his birth which was devasting to Theodore. It was a very difficult time in his life as he had five children to take care of and yet he had to work to support them. Family members helped out during this diffcult time and he remarried on 30 Jan 1889 to Adeline Ratte.

The family moved to Central Falls where he stayed for a number of years and changed his trade to being a carpenter as listed in the 1900 US Census. He had two more children with Adeline, George and Flora Bell. Eventually he moved back to Burlington, Vermont with his family and stayed there till his death on 31 March 1921. He continued his carpentry work in Burlington designing all different types of kitchen cabinets and any other household item made of wood. He built a large clientele and was very successful in his trade. He is buried in Vermont with Adeline.

His remaining five children with Eliza all migrated back to Pawtucket, Rhode Island where they stayed, married and had their families. The two children he had with Adeline stayed in Burlington, Vermont. George never married but Flora Bell did and her descendants are scattered throughout New England as have the descendants of the other five children. Each of them have varying talents and if he were to look down he would be pleased at the many accomplishment of them all.

His grave and photo are posted at FindAGrave: http://tinyurl.com/4fcsul2


Theodore Marotte: 1854-1921

Picture was updated and colorized from tools available at MyHeritage.com

Updated 1 Feb. 2025

Aunt Ozina

On January 25, 1995, I interviewed my Aunt Ozina to learn more about her. Ozina Cora Marotte was born on August 15, 1908, to Alphonse Arthur Marotte and Lovina Theroux on Aug. 15, 1908, she was the oldest of 9 children, with my mother, Claire Virginie Marotte Brisson, being the youngest with almost 19 years apart. 

She spent most of her life helping others and became a Registered Nurse in 1934. She also helped the Red Cross as a nurse.

Her father, had the first Model T that did not need to be cranked, and she learned to drive in it. 

She shared with me about her mother Lovina Theroux, and how she played the piano and had a green thumb. She would see a plant along a path that looked like it was dying, bring it home and nurse it to good health. When she got too old to have any more children she was very upset. Unfortunately, her mother passed away in 1945, Ozina had just turned 37 and had been married for five years to Eugene Baron, they were married 20 June 1940 in Mansfield, Massachusetts where they lived for many years.

Ozina was an accomplished organist, and in June, 1979 she became Grand Organist of the Eastern Star. 

Not having any children of her own, she was like our grandmother as Lovina had passed away before we were born. She outlived two husbands, Eugene Baron and Dexter Stripp.

She taught me how to knit, and crochet using string, and sew my own clothes by helping me make my high school prom dress. She made many sweaters and gloves for us over the years. Whenever possible, we would play cribbage and Scrabble together, go blue berry picking at her summer home, made the best blue berry muffins. We learned much about life from her as she shared of her own life experiences. Whenever we play either game, we always think of her and Uncle Gene. Eugene died in 1969, and she remarried Dexter G. Stripp on 16 September 1975, he died 22 January 1984.

She is missed very much and were blessed to have had her in our lives. She is buried at Spring Brook Cemetery in Mansfield, Massachusetts with her first husband, Eugene Arthur Lewis Baron, and her mother-in-law, Annie Baron Slater.

Remembered: Ozina C. M. B. Stripp 1908-1997   

Updated: 15 Aug 2021

James Arthur Haigh: 1937-2016

James Arthur Haigh was born in 1937 to James Arthur Haigh and Marie Loretta Brisson, he was the first of four children born to this couple.

Jim grew up in Smithfield, RI and lived there most of his life, however, he did live in MA, NE, and IA in his lifetime. He graduated from URI, with post graduate work out of the Univ. of Wisconsin, Iowa State University and Univ. of Iowa. He was licensed as a Professional Engineer in RI in 1973. He was also a member of multiple engineering societies, a guest speaker and a seminar presenter. 

Jim married Joyce P. Malone in 1963 and together they had four children. Jim was involved in a large variety of activities from politics to the community and church, but he always felt his greatest achievement in life was his dedication to his loving wife and 4 children.

Jim was one of my 45 first cousins on my dad's side and out of all of them, he was the oldest I knew. There were a few others that were older, but I never had the opportunity to get to know them like I did with Jim. We often spoke about family, kept in touch by phone and when in the area we would go out and enjoy lunch together.

His wife Joyce was wonderful and very involved in scouting as was he, along with genealogy and learning about his ancestors. I helped him go back a number of generations to England two Christmases ago and he was so thrilled to learn about all of those ancestors along with being part of the Brisson and Haigh legacy.

Unfortunately, his wife, Joyce, passed away in 1992 after a horrible battle with cancer. It was a terrible loss to him and their children. Jim recently passed away unexpectedly, he was 79 years old. Our many phone calls and his opportunity to continue that bond between father and children and cousins grew over time and is now gone.

He wrote his own obituary in May, 2015, here is a link to it. Whenever we'd talk or get together, it was always good fun, talking about days gone by, children, family, growing up and of course, what new things were going on. He always made time to attend funerals of aunts and uncles and visited them when opportunities came along. 

He will be missed by his own children, his siblings and all those he interacted with each and every day. May he rest in peace.

James Arthur Haigh: 1937-2016

Marie Beatrice Brisson Crisostomi

Marie Beatrice Brisson was born on 10 January 1920, she was the 9th of 16 children born to Omer Joseph Brisson, Sr. and Julia Anne Plante. Two of their children died the same day as their birth so she was the 7th living child.

With so many children in the family everyone grew up quickly and learned to help out to get everything done in the home and find jobs as soon as they could to simply survive the times. 

Aunt Bea worked as a waitress in many locations and helped to raise the younger ones as they came along. She also was a banquet server and a host which, combined with her own skills, made her a wonderful cook for many many years.

She married Alred Crisostomi on 21 June 1941 and lived in Providence, Rhode Island all her life. Here she had 3 children, Carmino, Robert and Julie Ann. She did all she could to raise her family and help her siblings with their families. 

These were very difficult times, the "Great Depression" was here and life was very hard, jobs were scarce but she maintained a positive attitude through all this and the loss of her husband and children.   

Over the years she became an inspiration to the many nieces and nephews she had along with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. When you  bring up Auntie Bea's name everyone smiles and says "she was such an inspiration to me and always knew exactly what to say to help me through anything at the time".

Her legacy is amazing as she leaves many grandchildren, great grandchildren and many more nieces and nephews who are scattered all over the United States. 

She passed away on December 26, 2014, a liitle over a year ago, she was 94. Even today speaking to one of her many descendants, they always say, "I miss calling and talking to Auntie Bea, she was always so positive and had the best outlook on life, she loved to go places and have fun". 

In 2014, she was the 3rd sibling to pass away in this family. Her sister Jeannette Brisson Renza passed away on 22 Feb. 2014, then another sister, Lillian Brisson Anastasi on 11 June 2014 and then Beatrice Brisson Crisostomi. There two siblings still living, they also miss her daily cheerful phone calls as well as getting together and enjoying life.

May she rest in peace and know she is dearly missed by many.

Marie Beatrice (Brisson) Crisostomi: 10 Jan. 1920-26 Dec. 2014

Comments are Always welcomed!

Claire (*)

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Elzear Brisson

My Great-Grandfather, Elzear Brisson was born on 25 Aug 1853 in Rimouski, Quebec, Canada to Ludger Brisson and Henriette Fiola/Vignola. He was the 2nd child of seven children all born in Rimouski. On the same day of his birth, he was baptized as is shown in his baptismal record below in the parish of Ste. Cecile.

The 1861 Canadian Census has the whole family living in St. Germain Parish, Macpes, Rimouski, Canada. Their father is listed as a 'cultivateur' which is some one who grows crops. While this section of the census is only of his immediate family, at the top of the census page on line 6 are his grand parents and additional family members from both sides of their family. Elzear is on line 40 and is 8 years old.

The family stays in Rimouski according to the 1871 and 1881 census but by the 1891 census he is living with his wife, Florentine Soucy and two children, Joseph and Omer in Hull, Ottawa, Quebec. According to his naturalization petition papers, he immigrated to the United States on 14 Sep 1893. 

The family settled in Providence, Rhode Island where Elzear is listed as a railway worker. The family stayed in this area for many years and Elzear continued to work on the railway until his death on 21 Feb 1924. By this time all his children were married or on their own. Together, Elzear and Florentine had 9 children and many grandchildren who in turn have married and spread out throughout the United States. Of those 9 children, 5 died was still very young.

His death certificate states he died on 21 February 1924 and is buried in St. Ann's Cemetery in Cranston, Rhode Island. According to the cemetery records he and his wife are buried in Section 6, grave marker # 676 as shown below.

As I ponder the above marker it helps me to understand more clearly how difficult times were then. His dear wife, Florentine, had purchased the plot and she herself would be buried there in 1937, just 13 years later.

Being an immigrant family with many children often made it impossible to afford more than a marker. Each of their own children had large families too, and so this is the way it was at this time in Providence, Rhode Island.

Elzear Brisson: 1853-1924

Eliza Audette Marotte

Eliza Audette was born in Rouville, Quebec, Canada on 16 April 1856 to Magloire Audette and Marceline Mace. Her baptism record lists her name as "Azilda Arsarine Audet", however, in each record where her name is listed, it is always mispelled somewhere! According to her granddaughter, Ozina Cora Marotte, she was always mentioned as "Grandma Eliza" in conversations with her grandfather Theodore Marotte as Eliza passed away before Ozina was born, in fact, her grandfather passed away when she was still young child herself.

We first find Eliza listed with her parents and brother Joseph in the 1861 Canadian Census where they are living in Rouville, Quebec.

She was the first of nine children. Her father, Magloire, was listed as a saddler on her baptismal record. A saddler was an individual who worked with leather. 

Their whole family immigrated to the United States sometime around 1866. While we located her family in the 1870 US Census she is not living with them and we don't locate her until the 1880 US Census where she is married to Theodore Marotte with their first child Albina. They were married on 9 Sep 1877 at Notre Dame Church, Central Falls, Rhode Island.

Together they had six children, Albena, Cora Anne, Alphonse, Alma, Alfred and Henry. Unfortunately, Henry died 15 days after his birth on 28 Feb 1888 however, she had died seven days earlier on the Feb 21st leaving her husband a widow with five children.

Sadly, there is no picture of her to date. While she died young, her skills and talents were passed onto her five children as they matured into individuals with many talents of their own. She immigrated to a new country, learned a new language and different customs and was able to be a good wife and mother until she died soon after the birth of her sixth child.

While these five children and her husband have long passed on, her talents and love of life have been passed on to her descendants who are scattered throughout the United States. As with all of our ancestors she is missed and we look forward to the day when we will be reunited in eternity.

Eliza Audette Marotte: 1856-1888

Laurent Plante

Laurent Plante was born 6 Aug 1856 in St. Lazare (Bellechasse), Quebec, Canada to Francios David Plante and Marie Henriette Trahan. He was the fourth child of seven children and spent most of his life living in Canada.

In the 1871 Canadian census he is living with his family in Levis, Notre Dame de la Victoire and working as a cultivator. On 26 Nov., 1877, he married Marie Ruel in St. Charles (Bellechasse), Quebec, Canada.

The 1881 and 1891 Canadian Censuses have them living in Sherbrook, this is where all their children were born. Together they had seven children: Joseph, Peter Honore, Jean Baptiste, Louis D., Julia Anne, Emile J.,  and Joseph Oliva.

The 1901 census states they were living in Acton Vale where Laurent was a foreman on a farm. Joseph is listed as an electrician, Jean Baptiste is listed as a 'cordonnier' which is a cobbler (a shoe repair person) while Louis is going to school.

According to the 1910 US Census, the whole family moved and settled in Providence, Rhode Island sometime during 1904, however, on 24 December 1908, Marie Plante, his wife passed away leaving hin a widower. He worked on the railway as a laborer to keep his remaining family of four children together. By 1920 he is living by himself and working in the cotton mills for support.

His daughter Julia Anne, the young girl in the front on the right married Omer Joseph Brisson, Sr. on October 31, 1910 and are my grandparents. Family legend states that Laurent was quite tall and one can see from this family photo that he seems to be so even in his arkward sitting position for this picture.

Laurent Plante passed away on 31 July 1928 and is buried with his wife Marie in St. Ann's Cemetery, Cranston, RI. He was a hard worker who was there for his family every step of the way.

Laurent Plante: 1856-1928

Claire Virginie Marotte Brisson

Claire Virginie was born on 8 April 1927 to Alphonse Arthur Marotte and Lovina Theroux, she was the 9th and last child in their family who settled and lived in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Besides being my mother, through the years she developed many talents that included a love for education, playing the piano, barbershop singing, knitting, crocheting, playing Scrabble and various card games along with spending time at the beach with family and friends.

She also was involved in many organizations as a treasurer, secretary or whatever the group needed, and was there to help. In spite of all this, her love besides her family of six children was nursing and she passed that love onto many of her children. She graduated from high school in 1945 and went straight into nursing at St. Joseph's School of Nursing which was in Providence, Rhode Island. She completed her studies and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1948. Besides working at St. Joseph's Hospital, she also worked at Pawtucket Memorial Hospital for many years before retiring.

When she was very young, she lost her sister Rhea in 1931. Her mother passed away in October, 1945 and another sister, Blanche, passed away June, 1952 and her husband, Omer J. Brisson, passed away 16 Mar 1984. In spite of these losses, she built good relationships with her siblings and her children and lived a very full life.

After a long battle with cancer, she passed away on September 13, 1998 leaving six children and 16 grandchildren and to date 21 great-grandchildren who have been able to go on and accomplish much, as if often said, "Descendants are a living legacy of those gone on before."

It will be 12 years ago on September 13th since her passing, she is dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. To uplift the sadness of the day, one of her grandchildren was born on her 1 year anniversary, so as we remember her with tears in our eyes, we also celebrate the 11th birthday of her grandson, Phillip the II.

8 April 1927 - 13 Sep 1998