|
National Library News |
Last March 16, as part of the series of SAVOIR FAIRE seminars, a large and enthusiastic audience filled the largest of the meeting halls at the National Library of Canada. The general public, historians and genealogists gathered around André Charbonneau, a Parks Canada historian who is familiar with the documentary wealth of the National Library of Canada and of the National Archives of Canada. Having come from Quebec City for this occasion, Mr. Charbonneau delivered a spirited presentation on one of his passions: the National Historic Site of Grosse-Île and the Irish Memorial.
Grosse-Île is firmly anchored in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, approximately 50 kilometres below Quebec City. It is one of the 21 islands which make up the archipelago of Île-aux-Grues, between Île d'Orléans and Île-aux-Coudres. It stretches approximately two kilometres in length and 800 metres in width. The island draws its importance from the role it played from 1832 to 1937, as a quarantine station of the Port of Quebec, the longstanding main point of arrival for those immigrating to Canada. May we be reminded, and not without emotion, of the importance of immigration to Canada from the beginning of the 19th century until the First World War. Grosse-Île also commemorates the tragic events endured by Irish immigrants, primarily during the typhus epidemic of 1847.
The Irish portion of Grosse-Île’s history is heartbreaking. In 1847, the worst year of the Great Famine, over 5000 immigrants, the majority of them of Irish origin, succumbed to typhus and were laid to rest on Grosse-Île. One speaks of the tragedy of Grosse-Île. That year, close to 100 000 emigrants left British and Irish ports and headed for the Port of Quebec. Only 90 000 made it to the Port of Quebec (that’s close to 10 000 deaths over the course of the ferry crossing and during quarantine). Six out of seven emigrants were of Irish origin. Two weeks after the opening of the navigation season, from May 14 to 19, 1847, the first four ships disembarked 285 sick passengers and 1200 healthy ones, thereby exceeding the accommodation capacity of Grosse-Île! This marked the beginning of an incredible and sinister procession… During the summer months, over 30 boats remained on standby in front of the quarantine station; an average of 1500 patients were treated there daily and some 12 000 passengers were constantly held in quarantine.
Stirring and highly charged with history, the island has a wide variety of cultural resources: close to 30 heritage buildings, over 1000 archaeological remains, approximately 5000 ethnological collection pieces, three cemeteries and several commemorative monuments. In addition, this National Historic Site is witness to the works of Dr. Frederick Montizambert in the area of preventive medicine and public health in Canada.
With an admirable knowledge on the subject and supported by an arsenal of electronic transparencies, André Charbonneau easily achieved his goal: to make people aware of the formidable testimonial wealth of Grosse-Île, this site where life and death intermingled in Canadian history. Conscious of the uncommon attractive force of the island, he warmly welcomed his audience to visit this National Historic Site or… to go back to it…!
For further information on the National Historic Site of Grosse-Île and the Irish Memorial, please call the toll-free number 1 (800) 463-6769 or visit the Parks Canada Web site at the following address: <parcscanada.risq.qc.ca/grosse_ile/index.html>.