Tapin Family History

Julie Tapin Lusk

I am proud to be a member of the Tapin family. Here is a glimpse into our family’s history and ancestry. We date back to 1429 and originated in France. This is documented in “6 old history books” and summarized in the letter below that was written by Michel Tapin in April 1995 to Mrs. John F. White.

Antoine Tapin moved from France to Canada in 1646. My dad, Thomas Phillip Tapin, used a typewriter to peck out the family tree from information he had received from Gertrude, his sister, that she primarily got from church records. It’s below the letter.

This information is typed exactly like the original documents are. You will see that some names and places are spelled differently. I chose not to attempt to make ‘corrections’ and give you the information as it is written.

More information will be added after my scanner is fixed.

With deep love and respect,
Julie Tapin Lusk

St-Elie d’Orford April 5, 1995
Mrs. John F. White
7944 46^th Ave
Kenosha, WI 53142 USA

Dear Mrs. White,

I have received your letter and opened the package with great excitement. I should first thank you for reviving the interest in me for the family history. This will force me to take time and explore the work that my father did on the subject. I guess that I am arriving at the age where the interest of knowing where I come from is getting more important as the time “to go” gets a little bit nearer. It seems to happen to a few people and I wonder why? My father once told me, that if you find out where you came from you will have a pretty fair idea where you’re heading to. The forward trajectory of the golf ball has a lot to do with the back swing. What we have become today has a lot to do with what our ancestors did.

Before I go any further, I have got to say that I am a little short of time at the present and I wish I had the luxury of being retired. However, the curious side of me has taken over strongly and I have already spent a few nights until the early morning hours rummaging through the information that my father has gathered on the Tapins over the years. I am afraid that there will be many more of these nights from now on!

It will be a great pleasure for me to fill you in on the history of “La famille des Tapins”. The information that my father gathered is in a great big box and it pretty much is out of order, but I am sure that every thing shall be sorted out for you. However, it is “en francais” but I will translate the information that would be of interest to you. Keep in mind that this is an adventure of discovery in every way for me also.

I am very happy that you discovered my father’s name by chance it seems. He was born in St. Louis de Courville on the 19^th of April, 1902 and died in St-Hubert on the 27^th of May 1977. He was well known around Montreal having been involved in politics and other public matters. He was a devout Christian, loved by everyone and a totally giving person. He was also an excellent violinist and pianist. He had been a member of the Montreal Symphony in its early beginnings. He had a jolly personality and a great storyteller. I have moved from my hometown 20 years ago, but I am told that the old people still remember him.

Before returning to the immediate family, I have to tell you that my father had 6 old history books in which we find the name Tapin mentioned. The books tell the history of the town of Chalon sur Saone. The first Tapin to come to this continent was, as you know, Antoine and he came from the Poitou which is in the middle eastern part of France. It would be interesting to find from what part of France the father of Toussaint Tapin originated because in the books it is said that the Tapins originated in the village of Ruilly in the canton de Chagny which is in the district of Chalon. In the year 1429 according to the Memoiresde la Societe d’Histoires et d’Archeologie de Chalon – sur- Saone, a one Philibert Tapin founded a chapel in the parish church. (Memoires de la Societe d’Hist. etd’Arch. De Chalon, tome II 1850, p. 178.) In the middle of the 15^th century, a branch of the family moved to Laives in the canton de Sennecy, in the district of Chalon. Pierre Tapin was an alderman in 1451, and also the town notary. Jean then Claude took over the practice until 1580. Jean and Claude seem to be the sons of Pierre.

The Chalonnese Tapins were from the branch of Laives, and one of them another Claude, is an investigator for the “baillage” (bailiff) at the start of 1540. This Claude Tapin was a great benefactor to the community funding the restoration of the town College. Ref: Archives de Saone et Loire E. 1441, 1054. J. L. Bazin, Les Seigneurs du nom de Sennecy, Macon, 1904 p 46 note I. This Claude Tapin is referred as Claude le vieil “the old.” There was another Claude Tapin, probably his son, who held in Chalon many offices notably controller of the salt storehouse and tax receiver. He was elected mayor in 1615. His heart was filled with sorrow upon the death of his eldest son sieur Tapin de PERRIGNY that he died before finishing his term as mayor. He was coseigneur by his wife Philiberte Caillard of d’Ouroux. Jean Caillard, her father, was also coseigneur d’Ouroux and treasurer of the parliament of Bourgogne. Philiberte Caillard sold in 1628 her land to Sermaizey near Laives. Afterwards, she was the lender of considerable sums to the city of Chalon. She died in 1651 giving part of her fortune to the hospital. The mayor of Chalon from his union with Philiberte Caillard had it said 3 girls married to the sieurs of Mucie, Rigoley and Guyet and as many sons. The eldest Jean-Baptiste Tapin de Perrigny controller of the salt storehouse was renowned for his successes in crossbow competition which he was proclaimed king. His brother Pierre was a chanoine (priest) and singer and cure d’Ouroux died in 1659. The other brother Claude was counseller to the “baillage” and married Jeanne Nicquevard and by testament left to the College a heritage known as the “Claude Tapin Foundation.”

The Tapin family were noblelized in 1647 by the king in the Parliament of Dijon with the coat of arms: d’azur au chevron d’or accompagne en chef de deux etoiles d’argent et en pointe d’un pin de meme.” They were known as Seigneurs de Perrigny, Guerfand, and Barons de Grignon. The family died in the XVIII century.

My father had his coat of arms made out which resembles the above description. (attached).

There are also 4 volumes of the history “Les Capucins de l’ancienne province de Lyon,” written by P. Theotime de Saint. Just a big part of the story was done by Father Michel Ange Tapin during his life. Father de Saint. Just in the postface talks about the honorable famile Tapin de Chalon-Sur Saone and Antoine Tapin and refers to my father as a direct descendant of the noble famile Tapin of Chalon. As you can see, our roots are in excellent soil. An interesting note in my father’s diary Monday, March 20, 1953. Quote “Received invitation by the Royal Government of England to assist at the Coronation of Her Majesty the Queen Elisabeth II in Westminster Abbey, two are reserved for Gaetane and me. His comments” ‘great donor due to the name of the ancestors.”

My father never went to France. He was not a travelling person in his retirement years. He did all his research by mail which is much slower. He was successful at it by the looks of all the information that was accumulated. It would surly be nice to go to France and take a look around and see if we can go a little further than 1429.

I will surely send a word to your ½ uncle. It seems that the love of music is in our genes. Does your uncle sing? I have a trained tenor voice. I give solo recitals whenever the time permits around Sherbrooke. Before I moved to Sherbrook, I had dreams of a career in opera. I stopped singing when I moved here and dropped the dream. I restarted voice training a couple of years ago for the joy of it and as a hobby. It helped me pass through some very hard times. I will keep on signing as long as I can. I will surely stop however, if I get bad feedback from the audience. When that time comes, I will retire to the shower and close the door!

As I am going along in my father’s work, notes, etc., there is a lot of material, and it gets confusing in the late hours. It would surely be pleasant if you ever were around these parts of the country to have a conversation about the subject. After looking at the material that you sent me, it would had been great if my father had a computer. Here is how I am connected directly to Antoine Tapin.

Antoine Tapin married Jeanne Magdeleine Quebec 4 Nov. 1669
Son Rene married Louise Loriot Pte. aux Trembles 4 Nov 1698
Son Jean-Baptiste married Marie Frechet Charlesbourg 29 Jan. 1731
Son Joseph married Esther Moisan Ancienne Lorette 15 Nov 1779
Son Joseph married Louise Mailloux Notre Dame Quebec 9 June 1801
Son Joseph married Marie Doyle St Roch de Quebec 1 Oct. 1833
Son Joseph married Marie Cournoyer Sorel 20 June 1871
Son Narcisse married Parmelia Malo Nativite de Montreal 16, Avril 1901
Son Lucien married Gaetane Savage St-Louis de France Montreal. 12 Juin 1940
Son Michel married Lorraine Blankwater St-Jean Eudes St-Hubert 9 Oct 1965

I am looking forward to hearing from you in the near future. I am certain that you surely have a few questions. In the meantime, I will continue to take a look in my father’s work. I have a project of rewriting the whole family story when everything gets clear and in focus.

By the way, I have a very wonderful wife and two great sons. Daniel, who has just finished his master’s degree in chemical engineering is leaving for a few months for a tour of 25.000 kilometers in the USA. I don’t think that he has planned to pop in Kenosha, but who knows? The other one, Benoit, who is 7 years younger than Daniel at 20 is married and we have a grand-daughter Jasmine since July 1994. He and his wife, Sofie, are both artists. Benoit is a musician and Sofie is a painter. They’re moving to Quebec City this summer to study.

I am enclosing a copy of the family coat of arms and a photo of Antoine Tapin’s house in Neuville. I have another very old photo that has Antoine written on it. It’s very faint and impossible to copy. I doubt however of its authenticity. I will check it out. Someone must have given it to my father on a trip to Neuville, but there is no clue to the giver’s name.

I am sure that there are a few errors here and there. I don’t have very much practice of the English language and since I moved to Sherbrooke, I have been losing it a bit year by year. It has been a good exercise.

Thanks for the fifteen dollars. It was not really necessary. I will put it on ice for a bottle of wine for our proposed lunch if ever you’re in Sherbrooke.

Hoping to hear from you soon and the very best to your family. Yours truly and newly found cousin,

Michel Tapin
56 Chemin St-Jacques
St-Elie d’Orford
Quebec Canada
Job 2SO
Telephone 819-346-6894

Tapin Family Genealogy

Antoine Tapin’s house in Neuville, Quebec, Canada

I. Antoine Tapin – Baptized in 1646, son of Toussaint Tapin and Marie Gendron of St. Nicholas Poiret, Eveche (Bishopric) of Maillegais Au Poitou. Antoine married in Quebec on Nov. 4, 1669. Jeanne Magdelain, daughter of Jacques Magdelain and of Marguerite Roullel of St. Jean deParis. They both died at LaPointe Aux Trembles. Antoine on Feb. 3, 1712, and Jeanne on Sept. 23, 1716.

From this marriage were born:

Tapin, Rene – Baptized on Nov. 1, 1677
Tapin, Jean – Baptized on Nov 9, 1679

II. Rene Tapin– Married to Marie Louise Loriot, Nov 4, 1698, at LaPointe Aux Trembles. Marie Louise baptized in 1678. Rene buried April 2, 1714. Marie Louise buried – unknown.

From this marriage were born:

Marie Jeanne – October 13, 1699. Married to Jeane Francois Dolbec at St. Augustine on August 26, 1719.
Marie Francois – May 3, 1702. Buried Jan 12, 1703
Catherine – June 25, 1704. Married to Jean Petit at St. Foye on Jan 4, 1727.
Jean Baptiste – April 17, 1706
Louis Joseph – March 29, 1708
Marie Genevieve – April 20, 1711
Marie Charlotte – Baptized May 13, 1714 (Born after Rene’s death). Married to Fancois Vermer at St. Augustine on January 20, 1738

Tapin, Jean – Baptized in 1683 on June 17, 1705. Married to Genevieve Berard.

III. Louis Joseph Tapin– Married to Marie Jeanne Sevigny on Dec 1, 1730, at Quebec. Louis Joseph buried in Quebec on Jan 7, 1781. Marie Jeanne was baptized in 1703.

From this marriage were born:

Louis Joseph Tapin. (Born after father’s death). Baptized Sept 7, 1731. Note: Marie Jeanne was married to Andre Blaise on Feb 17, 1734, at LaPointe Aux Trembles.
Jean Baptiste – Baptized on April 17, 1706. Married on Jan 29, 1731, to Marie Frechet. Baptized in 1706.

IV. Jean Baptist Tapin– Baptized on April 15. 1706. Married on Jan 29, 1731, to Marie Frechet. Baptized in 1706,

From this marriage were born:

Marie Joseph – Baptized Nov 17, 1731. Buried Dec 7, 1731, at St. Augustin.
Marie Genevieve – Baptized Sept 18, 1733. Married to Michel Gindral in 1758.
Angelique – Baptized Sept 17, 1735. Married to Francois Henry on Nov 27, 1752. Buried April 13, 1754, in Quebec.
Jean Baptiste – Baptized April 15, 1737. Buried May 17, 1794
Marie Charlotte – Baptized March 5, 1739, at LaPointe Aux Trembles
Marie Joseph – Baptized on Feb 7, 1741. Was first married to Jean Nicholas Julian on Jan 27, 1772 and then to Jean Baptiste McCarthy on Aug 29, 1791 and then to Jonathan Hart. She was buried on July 12, 1830.
Augustin – Baptized Oct 9, 1742. Buried May 16, 1744
Louis – Baptized March 17. 1745
Marie Rose – Baptized in 1746. Married first to Antoin Montmigny and then to Ambroine McCarthy on Jan 31, 1792

IV. Louis Joseph Tapin– Baptized Sept 7. 1731. Married on Feb 14, 1752, to Marie Anne Goulet. Baptized in 1727 at LaPointe Aux Trembles.

From this marriage were born:

Jean Baptiste. Baptized on May 8, 1757
Charles – Baptized on March 24, 1761
Francois – Baptized on Nov 15, 1774

V. Joseph Tapin – Married to Esther Moisan in 1782 at St Augustin

From this marriage were born:

Elizabeth – Baptized on March 8, 1783 at St. Augustin
Louis – Baptized on Aug 26, 1784
Francois Xavier – Baptized on Dec 3, 1786
Dtienne – Baptized on Feb 25, 1789
Augustin – Baptized on Aug 16, 1793

VI. Louis Tapin – Baptized on March 17, 1745. Married to Francois Rognan in 1785 at St. Augustin

From this marriage were born:

Nicholas – Baptized Sept 10, 1786, at St Augustin
Michel – Baptized?
Jean Baptiste – Baptized April 3, 1791, at LaPointe Aux Trembles

VII. Jean Baptiste Tapin – Married in 1826 at LaPointe Aux Trembles to Marie Emelie Angers. He was buried on Sept 18, 1871.

From this marriage were born:

Felecite Eloise – Baptized on Sept 7, 1827
Nemesis – Marie Marie Emelie (error of name by priest). Baptized on March 22, 1829
Alfred – Baptized on July 17, 1830
Serphie – Baptized on March 3, 1832
Hercule – Baptized on Nov 28, 1833
Eleza – Baptized on Nov 1, 1835
Ildevert – Baptized on Jan 26, 1840
Emelie – Baptized on Jan 26, 1841
Artheemise – Baptized June 26, 1841
Telesphore – Baptized on March 5, 1848
Joseph Tappa (1847-1911) Son of Louis Joseph Tapin & Susan Johnston. Named was changed from Tapin to Tappa from 1851-1861. S Plantagenet, Prescott County, Ontario

VIII. Hercule Tapin – Baptized on Nov 28, 1833. Buried on Jan 16, 1906. Married to Josephine Robitaille

From this marriage were born:

Marie Arthemise Emellie – Baptized on May 25, 1858. Married to Jeanne Baptiste Hout in 1879. She died May 20, 1934.
Hercule Tapin married Sliza Renaud date unknown. She died on May 29, 1895

From this marriage were born:

Emma – Born on Sept 8, 1865. Died on Feb 5, 1933
Phillip – Born on Jan 20, 1867. Died on Dec 31, 1949
Laura – Born on Nov 29, 1869. Died on June 30, 1956
Lawrence – Born on April 16, 1871. Died on June 30, 1956
Arline – Born on Oct 19, 1875. Died on Jan 4, 1923
Joseph – Born on April 4, 1878. Died on June 3, 1945
John – Born on Dec 4, 1879. Died unknown
Clara & Delia (twins). Born Aug 27, 1881. Clara died on Sept 16, 1952. Delia died?
Thomas – Born on Feb 7, 1883. Died on Feb? 1945

IX. Phillip Heliodore Tapin – Born on Jan 20, 1867. Died on Dec 31, 1949. Married to Delia Vezina. Born on March 5, 1870. Died on March 3, 1958

Phillip Heliodore Tapin & Delia Vezina (my grandparents)

From this marriage were born:

Joseph Clarence – Born on March 28, 1899. Died same day.
Ethel Loretta – Born on April 24, 1900. Died on July 16, 1960
Eunice – Born on Oct 22, 1902.
Gardeline – Born on Dec 3, 1905
Thomas Phillip – Born on Feb 24, 1907. Died on April 12, 1986
Delia Edith (later changed to Edith Delia). Born on Feb 20, 1912. Died on June 1, 2007
Gertrude Dorine – Born on Dec 28, 1914. Died on Oct 31, 1999

X. Thomas Phillip Tapin married Angela Raubolt on Oct 28, 1944