Since the time Trenton and Monguagon Township were originally populated by Europeans, the French have been a presence. The first census in which Monguagon Township was specified (1840), Trenton had 276 inhabitants, including families of Metties, Duquettes, Girards, Reaumes, Raymonds, and Bushas. In the 1830 census, Truaxes, Vreelands and Metties, already lived outside Detroit proper.
Throughout the years up until 1930, the French have been about a quarter to a half of the population.
I am creating this website as a means to get information about all the French families in Trenton in one place.
My own ancestry includes Venier (Vigneux), Burbo (Bourbeau), LaBelle, Reno (Renaud), and Mayville (Miville). As can be seen, many French names were anglicized over the years. Some other examples are:
Mitchell (Michel), Beaudrie, Boudrie (Beaudry), LaFeve, Lafee (Lefebvre), Amo (Ameau), Mexicotte, Mexico(Massicotte), Brow (Brault), Rushlow (Rocheleau), Jambo (Jambeau), Laura (L'Heureux)
The French were a relatively conhesive minority. Many continued to speak French at home until about the time of World War I. From my own family, the following were very close to one another in the 1870 census.
| Household | ||||
| Sched # | Surname | Maiden Name | French Name | |
| 268 | Rushlow | David | Rocheleau | |
| 268 | Rushlow | Mary | Jambeau | |
| 269 | Johnebore | John | Jambeau | |
| 269 | Johnebore | Aurilla | ||
| 270 | Burbore | Nelson | Bourbeau | |
| 270 | Burbore | Sarah | Labelle | |
| 271 | Mitchel | Octab | Michel | |
| 271 | Mitchel | Julia | Bourbeau | |
| 272 | Johnebore | Joseph | Jambeau | |
| 273 | Reno | Alexander | Renaud | |
| 273 | Reno | Mary | Bourbeau | |
| 274 | Labelle | William | Labelle | |
| 274 | Labelle | Catharine | Bourbeau | |
| 275 | Labelle | Charles | Labelle | |
| 275 | Labelle | Julia | Duquette | |
| 279 | Burbo | Joseph | Bourbeau | |
| 279 | Burbo | Phebe | Girard | |
| 279 | Burbo | Augustus | Bourbeau | |
| 279 | Burbo | Philes | Baudin |