The post below is a continuation from two days ago. It is my recap/reflection on the experiences I had while in Quebec City!
On Thursday, April 24th, we arrived at Musee Bon Pasteur. I was looking forward to this visit—the second floor was advertised to have an exhibit featuring the orphanage my dad was born at! When my husband and I walked through the doors, the receptionist did not know any English. Dan spoke with her to let her know I did not speak French; she then asked if we wanted an English-speaking guide. I am very appreciative that they had an English speaking guide in the facility, because visiting the museum would not have been the same without Sister Claudette’s guidance!
Sister Claudette met us and gave us an overview of who the Sisters of Good Shepard are, and how they were formed. The story is quite incredible, and I encourage you to go to Musee Bon Pasteur and read about how this group of women found each other. She knew we were most interested in the items on the second floor, so after her 15 minute overview on the history on the first floor, we headed upstairs.
This is where everything came out. She first asked to see what information I had with me. After pulling out the envelope with the ominous “680 Chemin Ste Foy” address on it, she quickly told us why we were confused when we went their yesterday—-because it’s actually at 1210! The addresses had shifted over the years! She gave us a postcard with an old photo of La Crèche St Vincent de Paul so we could use it when we went back to find 1210 Chemin Ste Foy.
We then looked at the handwritten letter together, and Sister Claudette then had a surprise for us. The sister who had signed the letter was a very prominent Sister at La Crèche, and there was a photo of her on that floor of the museum! Sister James Philip had signed that letter in 1954! Below is a picture of the letter next to her photo—these items are displayed on the original baptismal font that was used at the original St. Patricks! This font was used on my dad’s baptism on June 10th, 1952, three days after he was born (we know this because of the statement on his baptismal abstract which was produced in 1957; we can only assume, and Sister Claudette agreed, that this abstract was needed by my grandparents for when he went through his American Citizenship)
Lots of other artifacts were on site for viewing in the museum. There are pictures, which reminded me of yearbook photos, of the doctors and sisters who were at La Crèche during certain time frames. There are also pictures of the children being looked after. Sister Claudette said these photos were taken in the 1950s
Sister Claudette then explained to us more about the timeline of my dad’s adoption. He was born on June 7, 1952, and we knew from original paperwork that he was adopted and brought across into the US on July 4, 1954…this approximate two-year window is important. She explained to us that when a woman gave birth at La Crèche, the choice was to sign the child over for adoption right away, or wait a maximum of two years. In those two years if she felt fit to take care of the child on her own, or in some cases if she had then wed the father and came back, the child would be reunited.
My grandparents worked with the help of Catholic Charities in Illinois to set up an adoption. The Catholic Charities sent a letter in May 1954 that a boy had been selected for them. They drove up to La Crèche to meet my dad. I would love to know if photos of this occasion had existed somewhere in my grandparents hands, but they moved so much all over the world they may have been lost. One thing I should have assumed but was never certain was my dad’s birth name. We knew it was Luke, as written on the old envelope. But that was the English spelling. Sister Claudette confirmed that the name on the “Alien Registration” form that was used when moving to the US was his given name—Luc Parent. This was not chosen by the birth mother, though. We learned that the doctors and Sisters had a list of generic first names and last names they went through and gave to the children. So my dad was given Luc Parent!
It was an amazing visit. Absolutely memorable. I will never forget it! We learned so much in that short time at the museum. Plus, there is still a chance to learn more. Later that day, Dan phoned a number given to us by Sister Claudette. It was for Centre Jeunesse-Centre for Adopted Youth. There’s an outside chance they will let me provide my dad’s information for the archives, in case anyone from his birth family has tried looking for him. This is something traditionally the adopted child must do, but we may as well try. Problem was, we called twice, and the person on the other line had horrific English, and Dan’s French was just as bad. An English speaking worker was supposed to call us back by yesterday but hasn’t. I will tackle this feat over the next few weeks.
And 1210 Chemin Ste Foy? Well, we went the following day. On April 25, 2014, we walked the two miles to La Crèche St Vincent de Paul. My dad had passed away exactly 10 years before on April 25, 2004. How did I feel?—rejuvenated.
Je Me Souviens-To Infinity & Beyond! 
amazing! such a wonderful experience to read about!
I too am from 1210 chemin st foye. Born in 1956, adopted and raised in illinois. In 1967 I met Sister James Phillip at the orphanage with my family. I can tell you I will never forget her.
That is so awesome! I am glad we both got to meet Sister James Philip! It was an incredible experience this past April and I am excited for the future of us going back again and discovering more!
When was it that you met Sister James ?
This past april. 2014. She is still there working at the museum.
Is the photo of you and sister Claudette ?
Oh wait i am just not paying attention. Shoot. Yes me and sister Claudette are who the picture is of. I obviously never met Sister James since i wasnt born (duh). Just have the picture. And Sister Claudette had lots to tell about Sister James
Yes that would now make sence. The photo if sister James is I am going to guess from the 1960s.
My dad was adopted in 1954 so i presume the photo was
From
The 1950s, as after my dad was adopted, they unfortunately never went back.
I met the sister in 1967 and the photo and the age that I remember her at look close so that is why I beleive it to be taken in the 1960s. I have a photo and will look to see how it comparis
Thats awesome you were able to meet her so close to the adoption.
Where was your father raise?
He was raised in Beloit, Wisconsin for the first seven years and then Zug, SwitZerland. But. He was adopted through Catholic Charities in Chicago. I have the law office letters from that and have tried to use them to aid in finding information about birth parents. But it leads to dead ends
I think it will be difficult however I wish you the best of luck. Was he naturalized ?
He was naturalized yet i was able
To obtain Canadian Citizenship due to him never renouncing it
Yes that is why I asked. Several years ago the law was changed to recognize dual citizenship for those naturalized and their imediate children.
You may want to look at information regarding archbishop Charles Eugene Parent. In reading over the years I picked up that orphans were sometimes given names of the bishops or archbishops. The archbishop above was an arch bishop in quebec I beleive in the 1940s or 50s.
In the papers that I have I was named
I part Joseph Emard. An archbishop that was in the province of Quebec.
I was thrilled to come across your blog, it appears my husband as well as my sister n’ law were at the orphanage the same time as your father. He was born in Dec 1953, my sister n’ law Feb 1955 and were both adopted in Jun 1955 by an army colonel and his wife. They were stationed many places but made their home in Annandale, Va. Like your father, my husband has no desire to find his biological parents. My sister n ‘law did some checking a few years ago, but came to a dead end. However, my daughter and I would like to know the medical background on his side of the family. Looks like from your visit that info would be pretty difficult to get. Sister James Phillips also signed the hand written note about my husbands schedule to his new parents. His given name was Joseph-Anselme Gaudry. his godmother on his baptism paper was Isabelle Vaillancourt and signed by Edgar Lemay, ptre. Your other replies give some insight on how the children were named. I love the pictures of the children and the nuns you displayed for my husband and his sister could be one of them as well as their caregivers in the photos. I look forward to seeing any additional updates you post.
That is awesome! They were all there together! If your husband and sister in law ever feel inclined to go to Quebec City and see that museum and investigate further, it is a fantastic experience. It’s a small museum but lots of displays. And the tour guide is English speaking (sister claudette). I wish we had had more time in QC. We hope to go back again in the future
Greetings. I stumbled upon your blog last week and was quite surprised. I was adopted from LeCreche St. Vincent DePaul in 1953. I am preparing to go to a conference in Montreal this coming August and have been planning to take the train to Quebec City and had not much of an idea on how to locate the actual place I was adopted from. Six years after my adoption my parents adopted another boy and named him Philip James in honor of Sister James Philip. I met her in 1960 when we went to get him. Your blog identifying Sister James Philip is what confirmed that LeCreche St. Vincent DePaul is indeed the place.
Hi Paul. Glad you came across my blog! I suggest you check out Musee Bon Pasteur’s website and hopefully you are able to check out the museum! That’s where my husband and i were able find out the correct address for the original Orphanage. I believe it is 1225 Chemin Ste Foy. The original address was 680 but buildings were changed in the years.
Thanks much for the additional information – Best Regards.
Hi. What an incredible story. If someone from 1967 who was born at the orphanage would like to find their record of birth, how would they go about it??
Hi Mary. New laws have been put in place in QC and they seem to be helpful for those searching for family information. Bill 113 was put in place last year. I was denied information of birth family as my dad is passed away. I’m going to resubmit this summer. If you are submitting information about yourself you will likely have better luck
Google Bill 113 Quebec Adoption