Filles du Roi, Filles a Marier and the soldiers of the Carignan Regiment in New France

Unlike the 13 English colonies, which grew quickly and began to turn a profit much sooner, France faced two major problems as it struggled to establish a viable colony in what is now Canada.  Very low population numbers and the constant threat of Indian attacks both contributed to early difficulties in the struggling colony.

To combat the Indian threat, France sent soldiers to New France to protect the settlements and to provide a sense of security for the colonists.  The Carignan Regiment sent several companies of soldiers to the New World.

Most returned to France after their service ended.  However, many chose to stay and a significant number of them married one of the "King's Daughters" or "Filles du Roi".

In efforts to increase the population, two waves of young women came to the colony.  The first, the "Filles a Marier" or "Marriageable Girls" came to New France after being sponsored by businesses or churches.  The goal was to have them arrive, marry and have families, thereby growing the colony.

This first attempt to increase the population was only a moderate success and it soon became apparent that a more aggressive approach was needed.

The French King soon began sponsoring young women; even providing a dowery and household supplies.  The "Filles du Roi" or "King's Daughters" was a much more successful  attempt at growing the colony.

With added security provided by the Carignan soldiers and more families having many children, the colony's population finally began to increase.

My family tree contains many members of all three of these groups.  So far, I have identified 57 "Filles du Roi", 18 "Filles a Marier" and 29 Carignan soldiers in my family.  In fact, 20 marriages were between a King's Daughter and a Carignan soldier!

Our family's roots in French Canada are deep and wide.  Some of the earliest Canadian families can be found throughout both my mother and father's sides of my tree. 

Most researchers with roots in French Canada  will, undoubtedly, find similar results.