I am doing some research on my great great grandfather Joseph Chrétien (s/o Alexis Chrétien and Marie Catherine Gerbeau)

I have found that there was a Corporal Joseph Chrétien serving with the Canadian Voltigeurs during the War of 1812.  

http://books.google.com/books?id=f1gOAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA214&dq=Voltigeurs+Chretien&lr=#v=onepage&q&f=false

http://www.ourroots.ca/page.aspx?id=695523&qryID=e922d2d4-e894-4988-976c-2b9f0c6d8a92

I have found his enlistment record at the Library and Archives Canada (RG 8-I, volume 796, page(s) 76, microfilm reel C-3257) which shows that he was in the first group of 72 men to enlist in the Voltigeurs on the 25^th of April 1812. However, the only personal information the records contain is his name, age (21 years) and his height (5ft 8in). His age matches that of my ancestor.

The problem is that on the PRDH site I have found a second Joseph Chrétien (s/o Jean Baptiste Chrétien and Genevieve Tellier) of about the same age (b- 21 Apr. 1791).

The question is which of these two Joseph Chrétien’s was the Corporal?

I would agree that it would be unlikely for some one to run off and enlist in the Army just a few months after getting married.

Thank you for your reply.

Thank you for your aid.

Do you have any more information about Joseph Chrétien of Quebec, and his wife Genevieve Bilodeau?  Did they have any children born between 1812 and 1815? This could prove that he was home with his family and not off campaigning with the Voltigeurs. It is possible that it was a bad marriage and Joseph ran off with the army to escape; or he may have enlisted for the promise of the 50 acres of land after his service.

Another strange thing is why was the marriage performed in an Anglican church when Joseph Chrétien was baptized in the Catholic Church at Notre Dame de Quebec?

Thank you again.

John

I’ve found both Joseph Chretiens listed on the 1861 Quebec census on the site below:

https://familysearch.org/search/records/index#count=20&query=%2Bgivenname%3AJoseph~%20%2Bsurname%3AChretien~&collection_id=1460173

My ancestor is shown as living in St Anicet; while the other one is living in St. Raphael, Bellchasse, Qc.  There is also another Joseph Chretien in St. Raphael born in 1836. This could be the son or even the grandson. From the parish records of St. Raphael Joseph Chretien Sr. was buried on the 11 Jan. 1864 at age 72 years.

Thank you for posting the census images.

I have done some more research and it appears that the Joseph Chretien from St. Raphael, Bellechasse, Qc. is a deferent person. From parish records he was born on the 30^th of Dec., 1793 in Saint-Vallier,Bellechasse, Qc,.  His parents were Louis Chretien and Catherine Roi. He married Angele Cadrin on 26 Aug. 1834 also in St Vallier.