Most were single French women and many were orphans. Their transportation to Canada and settlement in the colony were paid for by the King. Some were given a royal gift of a dowry of 50 livres for their marriage to one of the many unmarried male colonists in Canada. These gifts are reflected in some of the marriage contracts entered into by the filles du roi at the time of their first marriages. Of the nearly 1000 women who undertook the journey, about 800 made it to Canada. They were promised 50 livres if they married a soldier or farmer and 100 livres if an officer. There were very few of the latter simply because there were very few officers who needed help in finding a girl of their own choice.

The Carignan-Salieres regiment arrived in Quebec City in the summer of 1665, the first contingent arriving on June 18. This was the first expedition of royal troops to Canada. The regiment counted twenty companies and each company was made up of three officers - a captain, a lieutenant and an ensign - two sergeants, three corporals, five anspessades and forty soldiers, including at least one drummer. Four other companies drawn from the regiments of Lignières, Chambellé, Poitou and Orléans coming from the West Indies also came to Quebec City with Marquis de Tracy, the new governor general.

Considering that the colony had about 3200 inhabitants, the arrival of some 1200 soldiers and 80 officers had an extraordinary impact on its development. A body of troops of this magnitude in Canada completely transformed what had until then been a precarious military situation for the colony. Finally, towns could be fitted out with suitable garrisons and new forts could be built to block the Richelieu River, the Iroquois' traditional route. In just a few weeks, the French went from the defensive stance that had been necessary for almost a quarter of a century to a new tactic: attacking the Iroquois on their own territory.

FILLES DU ROI - SOLDATS DU CARIGNAN
Program Rules

1. This program is intended for French-Canadian descendants to become aware of, appreciate, and experience pride in their rich cultural heritage.

2. Participation is for those who are able to trace their ancestry to a Fille du Roi who married a Soldat du Carignan in New France.

3. The VT-FCGS Filles & Soldats Program begins on October 24, 2009.

4. 1. A $9.00 application fee must be submitted along with a family tree showing the applicant's ancestoral line, by marriages, back to a Fille du Roi marriage. Add $5.00 if the pin has to be mailed (anywhere in the USA).

5. One specially designed pin will be awarded to each successful applicant. Additional pins can be purchased for $9.00 each.

6. Copies of the family tree should be brought to the Vermont Genealogy Library in Essex Junction or mailed to VT-FCGS, Filles du Roi Program, P.O. Box 65128, Burlington, VT 05406.

7. Family trees will be displayed at the Vermont Genealogy Library and on our web site with permission of the applicant.

If you would like to get a Formal certification, after approval of your first ancestor's lineage to a Fille du Roi or Carignan soldier, check this website.
"La Société des Filles du Roi et Soldats du Carignan, Inc."

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