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This is a volunteer-run DNA project aimed at exploring the origins of two "brick wall" ancestors named Jean Meunier and John Baptist Miller. Both men resided on the eastern shore of New Brunswick, Canada in the 18th and 19th centuries. Since DNA testing lead to uncovering long-forgotten kinships, the project focuses on exploring the DNA of tested living descendants to learn more. It works in conjunction with well sourced family trees using the available historical records of the era as they pertain to the families of Jean Meunier and Magdeleine Hébert and John Baptist Miller and Elizabeth Gray. This DNA project is complimented by a family history website and blog of the same name, Our Miller - Meunier Family.
It’s true, a genealogist never finishes a family tree as there is always another detail to be explored, a relationship to be determined, or an elusive ancestor to be found. For many years, I had wondered if my elusive ancestor, John Baptist Miller, who was born at the end of the 18th century, was related to a local man named Jean Meunier. This Jean married to Magdeleine Hébert sometime before 1787, which was the year their oldest known son, Jean Baptiste, was born. Both of these men claimed French heritage. Miller and Meunier are the same surname. They both had children or grandchildren that claim the father was born in “France.” The families lived in the same community and attended the same church. There were no other “French and Catholic” Miller families living in the area.
There are a number of different causes for breaks in a genealogical paper trail. However, in this instance, a major consideration is Acadian history. Their story is a complex one. Some of the records pertaining to Acadians were simply lost over time, and some vanished due to the conflicts between the French and English in the 18th century. These disruptions ultimately led to their exile "Le Grand Dérangement" and a deliberate destruction of their records. Despite such chaos, there remains today many records to aid Acadian researchers who wish to learn more about their heritage. University of Moncton’s Acadian Studies Department has a commemorative web site, “1755: The History and the Stories.” It shares a list of family names found in 18th century Acadia and Nova Scotia. Meunier is counted among them. The following map shows the incredible widespread dispersal of Acadians:
When the opportunity came along to do genetic testing, and, because the Millers are my only Acadian line, I knew it could help find an answer. It does. I'm pleased to share multiple YDNA and autosomal DNA (aDNA) results demonstrate a close kinship between the tested descendants of the Miller and Meunier families. The descendants of the Miller men and Meunier men have a perfect 0-step YDNA match at 37 and 67 markers and they only match with each other. This means, specifically, they do not match with any other men of the same surnames, or to men of any other surname. (**As of January 1, 2017, there are at least 12 YDNA tested Meunier men and over 3267 YDNA tested Miller men in the entire FTDNA database.**) The results of aDNA tests are showing matching within the expected range, and in some instances, the matching is quite robust.
Are you a descendant of the Acadian Meunier and Miller families of New Brunswick? Our family researchers often wonder about the origins of our Meunier and Miller families. Did our progenitor arrived in Acadie from Quebec? Did he come to America directly from France? Did he come from somewhere else? DNA testing can help to break down these barriers, but, we need your help to do so.
John Baptist Miller and family:
John’s early life is obscure. His birth date is only an estimate, 1791-96. He was at least 48 years old when, in 1844, he married to Elizabeth Anne Gray, 21, at St. Michael’s parish church “with the consent of friends” in Miramichi. Elizabeth is the daughter of Andrew “André” Gray, an immigrant from Scotland, and Charlotte Caissi, an Acadian. Her maternal grandparents are Jean Baptiste Caissie and Felicité Haché. John and Elizabeth farmed at Glenelg/Hardwicke, in the area of Baie des Ouines, which is located in between Miramichi and Kouchibouguac. They had at least five children: John, Bridget, John, James and A. Charlotte. Two of the children were baptized in Miramichi, while the rest were baptized in Baie des Ouines, and registered at Escuminac.
John lived long enough to be counted in the first two official Canadian census schedules, 1851 and 1861. It seems he did not know his own age as he had advanced fifteen years in between the two enumerations. He was dead by springtime of 1871 as his wife was recorded as a widow that year. His place of burial is unknown. His wife, Elizabeth, died in 1901 and was interred at Chatham, where she last kept residence.
Jean Meunier and family:
Jean’s origins are also an enigma. He may likely be descended from the Meuniers found in Acadie before the Great Exile. Jean married Magdeleine Hébert sometime in or before 1787. He died some time after 1831, probably at Bouctouche. Magdeleine was born in 1763, baptized at St. Charles, Bellechasse, in Quebec to Jean Baptiste Hébert and Osite Blanche Vincent [this branch of Vincent used dit name, Clément]. She died in 1802 and was buried in the Bartibogue church yard, just north of Miramichi. Magdeleine’s paternal grandparents are Charles Hébert and Catherine Saulnier. Her maternal grandparents are Jean Vincent dit Clément and Isabelle/Élizabeth Michel. The couple were in New Brunswick at least by the mid 1780s when some of their children’s baptisms were recorded in the Caraquet parish records. it seems the Heberts were early arrivals the Newcastle and Baie Des Ouines. The Meuniers were also early arrivals, and were in Bouctouche. In an 1831 church register, Jean was noted as a resident of Bouctouche. He is not mentioned as being alive in known records after that date.
Jean and Magdeleine had several children: Jean Baptiste, Charles, Jérôme, Magdeleine, Joseph and Bénoni. They were probably all born between the years 1787 and 1801. Their son, Jean Baptiste, was baptized in 1788 by the missionary priest of Baie des Chaleurs, in the presence of Louis Alin[sic] and Marie Hébert. Miramichi. It is not known what became of this particular son. Some Meunier children were baptized, confirmed and married in Baie des Ouines, and recorded in the books held at Escuminac. They lived in Baie des Ouines, Acadieville, Bartibogue, Bouctouche, Grand Digue, Richibuctou Village, St Marie and Wellington.
Are you eligible to join this project? An Invitation.
This project is only interested in the Miller and Meunier lines for family-specific cluster DNA research. By taking this approach with our YDNA and autosomal DNA (aDNA), it allows us to focus on our shared genetics to learn more about our ancestry beyond the breaks in our paper trail, and, it will guide us in the right direction to discover more. The only criteria required to participate in the project is to be blood-related to Jean Meunier's line, and to supply a pedigree. By joining this project, you will connect with relatives who have also tested, and you'll have the ability to work directly with one another.
We are in the pioneering generation to use genetic technology for learning about our family history. By taking a collaborative approach in using it, we will discover more about our heritage and do our part in setting the records straight. We will leave this legacy, an important part of our family's story, for the future generations of our collective family.
The project accepts YDNA and "Finder Finder" aDNA testers.
The recommended level of YDNA test is at least the 37 marker, preferably the 67 marker, for males carrying the Miller or Meunier surname, or a variation of it. The YDNA test can be taken by any male relative carrying this project surname (Miller or Meunier). It picks up DNA only on the father's surname line, like this: father>father>father> etc. going all the way back in time. A YDNA test doesn't include any information on mothers, wives or daughters. As for the "Family Finder" aDNA test, it is highly advisable to test your oldest living relative who descends, by blood, on the Miller or Meunier branch of your family as they are genetically closest to the ancestors. The "Family Finder" aDNA tester can be male or female, and they do not need to carry the project surname for doing this test:
Have you DNA tested with Ancestry(v1), or with 23andme(v3)? If so, you can easily transfer you results and join our family's project.
Bob & Krista
Genealogists
Volunteer Project Administrators
The cover picture is a view of the mouth of the Eel River, in Baie Des Ouines.