American-Canadian
Genealogical Society
Leaders in French-Canadian, Franco-American and Acadian Genealogy
Become a Member
Interested in learning more about your French-Canadian ancestral roots and so much more, then the ACGS is the place to be! It’s quick. It’s easy. Click the button below to start your journey today!
Shop Our Catalog
The ACGS has compiled over 150 volumes of parish vital records (repertoires) that may contain the information your library needs. These volumes constitute our ACGS Catalog and are available for purchase. Click below and start stocking the shelves today!
ACGS Library
The ACGS library has grown over the last 48 years from meeting in the founders’ living rooms to the current 2600+ sq. ft. library that today we call home. Our holdings of over 10,000 items include resources for all of New England, Northern and Hudson River Valley NY, as well as Quebec, the Maritimes and a large Acadian section. In addition to genealogy resources and media, the Library also has computer access to third-party genealogy databases. We have volunteers on-site to help you with your search. We also offer research services to non-members for a fee and to our members at a discount. Check out the Research-Services page for details!
Amazon Smiles
Help support the American-Canadian Genealogical Society when shopping at Amazon.com, at no cost to you!
Donate Today
Every gift of every size is cherished and recognized by the Society. We appreciate all donations.
News & Events
Temporary Closure
ACGS Library Temporarily Closed
Due to the rise in the number of COVID cases in our area, the ACGS Board of Directors discussed it at the Sunday January 16th monthly meeting and has decided to temporarily postpone the reopening our research library in Manchester, NH.
Originally, we were closed for the holiday season and due to reopen on January 19th, however with additional factor of COVID to consider we have decided that the case numbers are to0 extreme to consider reopening at this time.
The ACGS Board of Directors will meet again on February 20th, and we will reassess the COVID situation to determine a safe time to reopen for our patrons and our volunteer staff.
The ACGS office will continue to be in operation for memberships, book purchases, research requests, etc. and we will be checking our voice mail messages and emails. Our volunteers will continue working remotely on our many ongoing projects.
During the time of our closure, we encourage our members to utilize the Members Only section of our website to continue with your research.
We wish you good health in these challenging times.
News & Events
Masks and Distance Effective Immediately
Effective Immediately 11/27/21: In light of the higher numbers of COVID-19 in Manchester and the surrounding area, we have decided to reinstate the Mask and 6 Feet of Distance Requirements for all people (except those living in the same residence) in the ACGS Library no matter of vaccination status.
News & Events
Library Desk Volunteers Needed
As an all volunteer society we rely on our members to volunteer to help the library to remain open and running. Our number one volunteer position is at the Library Front Desk, without a volunteer to cover the front desk we can not open our doors to our members.
Full Training will be supplied. The tasks to be covered by the Library Desk Volunteer are as follows:
- Meet and greet customers and members
- Working knowledge of genealogy
- Familiar with the library
- Familiar with the genealogy programs used in house.
- Able to help customers and members with their searches
Contact: Jackie Watson, Library Chair for an interview. Call her at the library at 603-622-1554 or email her directly at w.jackie47@gmail.com.
Thank you for supporting the ACGS Society with your time!
News & Events
Library Saturday Hours Are HERE
We are happy to report that starting October 23rd, 2021, we will once again be open on Saturdays. Our operating hours will be 9 am – 4 pm. There is one difference than on Wednesdays. Since the main door to the building is locked on the weekends, we have had to have a buzzer system installed, similar to what we had at the old building. If you come on a Saturday you will need to use the buzzer that is to the right of the double doors, we ask that you stand in front of the camera so that the librarian can see you and then he/she will open the door for you. Then you just need to go up the elevator to the 3rd floor and come to our suite # 317, which is to the right when you get off the elevator. We look forward to seeing more of our members on Saturdays.
News & Events
Digitization Project Volunteers Needed!
The Society’s Board of Directors approved, in June 2021, a new project to digitize most of the books in the research library, and to make the contents available to our members through the Members-Only section of the website ACGS.org.
In connection with this new digitization project, ACGS is looking for volunteers to help us out!
Right now, two different types of help are needed:
- Scanning – This will require you to run an overhead scanner to scan each page of a book. It takes about an hour to do 100 pages. This job may be done at home by borrowing the equipment from the library.
- Data entry – Several of our books were never entered into a searchable database. This job requires reading a type-written book and entering the data into a spreadsheet. Access to Microsoft Excel is desirable, but we may be able to use your help even if you do not have that access.
All volunteers will be provided with training.
As a reminder, because many of our books can no longer be purchased, having a pdf file of each book would allow it to be replaced in the event of a fire or other calamity. In addition, a digital copy of a book might allow members who are not able to visit the library to read or access it online.
Click here to Volunteer Today, and, in your email, tell us which job you are interested in.
Many thanks!
News & Events
ACGS Thursday Genealogy Chat Sessions
Join Us for Our Genealogy Chat Sessions
Starting May 13th, 2021 2 pm – 4 pm
The ACGS is excited to host a once-a-week genealogy chat room via Zoom.
The intent is to introduce you to our Library and its resources. Anyone interested in genealogical research can join each week or once in a while! Stay for 10 minutes or the full two hours, or join us at any time in the two hours.
For full details and link to join each week,
please visit the following link:
Genealogy Chat
News & Events
Remember ACGS ALL Year Long - Use Amazon Smiles
Remember the ACGS ALL year long by going through AmazonSmile when you place your orders on Amazon.
The ACGS will receive 0.05% of your total with EVERY purchase!
Happy 2020!
News & Events
Queen City Bridge Work
We are located right off of Queen City Avenue on Sundial Avenue. We have been informed by the city of Manchester that they will be working on bridge reconstruction starting October 2020 and it will last until sometime in 2022. During this time, the road over the Queen City bridge will be reduced to one lane on either side. Please keep this construction in mind when planning your trip to the library, the building is open, it just might take a few more light cycles to get through to our street.
News & Events
Publicity Chair Wanted
The ACGS is looking for just the right person to fill the role of Publicity Chair! This position promotes the Society through timely releases of information to the media, and interested groups. For more information click HERE. If you are interested please contact Norma at Volunteer@acgs.org.
News & Events
Temporary Closure
ACGS Library Temporarily Closed
Due to the rise in the number of COVID cases in our area, the ACGS Board of Directors discussed it at the Sunday January 16th monthly meeting and has decided to temporarily postpone the reopening our research library in Manchester, NH.
Originally, we were closed for the holiday season and due to reopen on January 19th, however with additional factor of COVID to consider we have decided that the case numbers are to0 extreme to consider reopening at this time.
The ACGS Board of Directors will meet again on February 20th, and we will reassess the COVID situation to determine a safe time to reopen for our patrons and our volunteer staff.
The ACGS office will continue to be in operation for memberships, book purchases, research requests, etc. and we will be checking our voice mail messages and emails. Our volunteers will continue working remotely on our many ongoing projects.
During the time of our closure, we encourage our members to utilize the Members Only section of our website to continue with your research.
We wish you good health in these challenging times.
News & Events
Masks and Distance Effective Immediately
Effective Immediately 11/27/21: In light of the higher numbers of COVID-19 in Manchester and the surrounding area, we have decided to reinstate the Mask and 6 Feet of Distance Requirements for all people (except those living in the same residence) in the ACGS Library no matter of vaccination status.
News & Events
Library Desk Volunteers Needed
As an all volunteer society we rely on our members to volunteer to help the library to remain open and running. Our number one volunteer position is at the Library Front Desk, without a volunteer to cover the front desk we can not open our doors to our members.
Full Training will be supplied. The tasks to be covered by the Library Desk Volunteer are as follows:
- Meet and greet customers and members
- Working knowledge of genealogy
- Familiar with the library
- Familiar with the genealogy programs used in house.
- Able to help customers and members with their searches
Contact: Jackie Watson, Library Chair for an interview. Call her at the library at 603-622-1554 or email her directly at w.jackie47@gmail.com.
Thank you for supporting the ACGS Society with your time!
News & Events
Library Saturday Hours Are HERE
We are happy to report that starting October 23rd, 2021, we will once again be open on Saturdays. Our operating hours will be 9 am – 4 pm. There is one difference than on Wednesdays. Since the main door to the building is locked on the weekends, we have had to have a buzzer system installed, similar to what we had at the old building. If you come on a Saturday you will need to use the buzzer that is to the right of the double doors, we ask that you stand in front of the camera so that the librarian can see you and then he/she will open the door for you. Then you just need to go up the elevator to the 3rd floor and come to our suite # 317, which is to the right when you get off the elevator. We look forward to seeing more of our members on Saturdays.
News & Events
Digitization Project Volunteers Needed!
The Society’s Board of Directors approved, in June 2021, a new project to digitize most of the books in the research library, and to make the contents available to our members through the Members-Only section of the website ACGS.org.
In connection with this new digitization project, ACGS is looking for volunteers to help us out!
Right now, two different types of help are needed:
- Scanning – This will require you to run an overhead scanner to scan each page of a book. It takes about an hour to do 100 pages. This job may be done at home by borrowing the equipment from the library.
- Data entry – Several of our books were never entered into a searchable database. This job requires reading a type-written book and entering the data into a spreadsheet. Access to Microsoft Excel is desirable, but we may be able to use your help even if you do not have that access.
All volunteers will be provided with training.
As a reminder, because many of our books can no longer be purchased, having a pdf file of each book would allow it to be replaced in the event of a fire or other calamity. In addition, a digital copy of a book might allow members who are not able to visit the library to read or access it online.
Click here to Volunteer Today, and, in your email, tell us which job you are interested in.
Many thanks!
News & Events
ACGS Thursday Genealogy Chat Sessions
Join Us for Our Genealogy Chat Sessions
Starting May 13th, 2021 2 pm – 4 pm
The ACGS is excited to host a once-a-week genealogy chat room via Zoom.
The intent is to introduce you to our Library and its resources. Anyone interested in genealogical research can join each week or once in a while! Stay for 10 minutes or the full two hours, or join us at any time in the two hours.
For full details and link to join each week,
please visit the following link:
Genealogy Chat
News & Events
Remember ACGS ALL Year Long - Use Amazon Smiles
Remember the ACGS ALL year long by going through AmazonSmile when you place your orders on Amazon.
The ACGS will receive 0.05% of your total with EVERY purchase!
Happy 2020!
News & Events
Queen City Bridge Work
We are located right off of Queen City Avenue on Sundial Avenue. We have been informed by the city of Manchester that they will be working on bridge reconstruction starting October 2020 and it will last until sometime in 2022. During this time, the road over the Queen City bridge will be reduced to one lane on either side. Please keep this construction in mind when planning your trip to the library, the building is open, it just might take a few more light cycles to get through to our street.
News & Events
Publicity Chair Wanted
The ACGS is looking for just the right person to fill the role of Publicity Chair! This position promotes the Society through timely releases of information to the media, and interested groups. For more information click HERE. If you are interested please contact Norma at Volunteer@acgs.org.
Featured Photograph
Caron Siblings Circa 1955
This photograph was submitted by Phyllis Caron Gagnon, fellow member of the ACGS. This is a photo of my grandfather, Athanase Caron, with his siblings: rear, left to right Origene, Anatole, Georges Etienne, seated: Athanase, Blandine, Armand taken in approximately 1955 in Manchester, NH.
Athanase was born January 11, 1894 in Saint Boniface de Shawinigan, Comte Saint Maurice, Quebec (his twin brother died after birth). The family Immigrated to NH in 1909 and Athanase was listed as an employee of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company in July of 1910, just months after his 16th birthday. His career at the AMC spanned some thirteen years. After he left AMC, he learned the carpentry trade, working for his younger brother’s company, Caron Construction Company. He stayed with that company for many years, and then on an off-and-on basis. He also took on small jobs. He ended his career as the caretaker at Crotched Mountain School for the Disabled, which opened in 1953. He was the first facility caretaker and I remember visiting the construction site when he was applying for the job. He worked for them for several years. Eventually he retired from there.
Also, of interest, Athanase’s younger brother, Anatole (standing – center), was the founder and owner of Caron Construction Company. The company built several landmark buildings in Manchester, such as the Saint Mary’s Bank building on Amory Street; Headquarters for the Association-Canado-Americaine at 52 Concord Street; the Post Office on Hanover Street; the home of Manchester’s Mayor Trudel on North River Road; the Carpenter Library; the Masonic Temple on Elm Street; and the YWCA building on Concord Street.
Some members of the ACGS will remember Lucille Caron Lagasse. She was one of the principals in the founding of the ACGS, as well as the daughter of Athanase Caron.
Featured Photograph
Caron Siblings Circa 1955
This photograph was submitted by Phyllis Caron Gagnon, fellow member of the ACGS. This is a photo of my grandfather, Athanase Caron, with his siblings: rear, left to right Origene, Anatole, Georges Etienne, seated: Athanase, Blandine, Armand taken in approximately 1955 in Manchester, NH.
Athanase was born January 11, 1894 in Saint Boniface de Shawinigan, Comte Saint Maurice, Quebec (his twin brother died after birth). The family Immigrated to NH in 1909 and Athanase was listed as an employee of the Amoskeag Manufacturing Company in July of 1910, just months after his 16th birthday. His career at the AMC spanned some thirteen years. After he left AMC, he learned the carpentry trade, working for his younger brother’s company, Caron Construction Company. He stayed with that company for many years, and then on an off-and-on basis. He also took on small jobs. He ended his career as the caretaker at Crotched Mountain School for the Disabled, which opened in 1953. He was the first facility caretaker and I remember visiting the construction site when he was applying for the job. He worked for them for several years. Eventually he retired from there.
Also, of interest, Athanase’s younger brother, Anatole (standing – center), was the founder and owner of Caron Construction Company. The company built several landmark buildings in Manchester, such as the Saint Mary’s Bank building on Amory Street; Headquarters for the Association-Canado-Americaine at 52 Concord Street; the Post Office on Hanover Street; the home of Manchester’s Mayor Trudel on North River Road; the Carpenter Library; the Masonic Temple on Elm Street; and the YWCA building on Concord Street.
Some members of the ACGS will remember Lucille Caron Lagasse. She was one of the principals in the founding of the ACGS, as well as the daughter of Athanase Caron.
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