Two main surnames, Sirois and Duplessis, are represented in this project because some of them were once the same family. Although there are many different, likely unrelated Duplessis families scattered across the globe, one in particular is of interest in North America. Francois Sirois dit Duplessis emigrated to Kamouraska, Quebec, from Saint-Germain-en-Laye-de-Paris, France, sometime around 1710 and died in 1737. His descendants largely retained the Sirois surname, although some (mostly descendants of Joseph Sirois dit Duplessis II, Francois' grandson,) kept the Duplessis portion of the surname or some spelling variant thereof. Some of these variants include: DUPLACEY, DUPLESSIS, DUPLESSIE, DUPLISEA, DUPLISSEA, DUPLISSA, DUPLISSIS, and DUPLISSIE. In addition, some of the Sirois descendants switched to the name "King", likely because of the final syllable of "Sirois" which contains the word "roi", meaning "king". A few even switched to Searway and Serway. More information can be found at www.duplisea.com. Other Duplessis families exist and come from various lineages. For example, there is a sizable Du Plessis clan in South Africa, descended from Dr. Jean Prieur Du Plessis, born 1638 in St. Lienart, Poitiers, France, and died in 1708 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Additionally, other Duplessis families in North America exist but are not likely related closely to the others, like the many in Louisiana and some additional Duplessis families in Quebec and their descendants. The purpose of this project is to see if relationships exist between the various Sirois/Duplessis lineages and to help those researching these surnames. Anyone with the above mentioned surnames, or who believes they are the direct male-line descendant of someone with these surnames, is encouraged to join this project. If you have any questions, please direct them to mduplisea@hotmail.com.