Tracing one’s ancestors’ journey at the Genealogy Centre in Chéticamp

April 20, 2026

For over 50 years, Société Saint-Pierre in Chéticamp has been dedicated to the history and genealogy of the Acadians in this region. Genealogy, above all, is a great passion for the volunteers who work at the Centre d’histoire et de généalogie Père-Charles-Aucoin, located in Les Trois Pignons’ building.

Genealogy is a significant social phenomenon that has grown considerably in recent years. In increasing numbers, people of all ages are becoming interested in their origins, for reasons of identity and connection to the past. Genealogy, or the study of family lineages, has become a very popular hobby.

Before his death in 1999, Father Charles Aucoin had gathered a vast collection of over 100,000 genealogical records on the Acadian families of Chéticamp, Saint-Joseph-du-Moine, and Margaree. (Photo: Daniel Aucoin)

Chéticamp’s Genealogy Centre is an essential resource for genealogical research and the preservation of the region’s Acadian history. Named in honour of Father Charles Aucoin, a prominent figure in local heritage, the Centre plays a vital role in the transmission of Chéticamp’s and surrounding communities’ collective memory. The Centre is the region’s primary resource for the preservation, research, and dissemination of history, genealogy, and heritage.

Volunteers are at the heart of the Genealogy Centre and play an essential role. Through their dedication, patience, and passion for family history, they continue every day to preserve and pass on our collective memory. The Trois Pignons’ history and genealogy department enjoys a strong reputation thanks to the dedicated and skilled volunteer work of Charles D. Roach, Jean-Doris LeBlanc, Barbara LeBlanc, Georgina Aucoin and Doug Cochrane.

For years now, these genealogy enthusiasts have been dedicating many hours to indexing archives, transcribing parish records or helping researchers trace their ancestors. The breadth and quality of the services offered would not be possible without their dedication. These volunteer’s work is an essential contribution to the promotion of genealogy and local history, to the benefit of everyone.

Every day, the Centre’s passionate volunteers welcome visitors, assist both novice researchers and experienced genealogists, and generously share their knowledge and experience. As a result of their work, which involves analyzing archives, organizing documents and digitizing materials, the public has access to precious sources, some of which are rare or fragile.

Run by volunteers, the Père Charles Aucoin Genealogy Centre is located in the basement of Les Trois Pignons’ building in Chéticamp. (Photo: Daniel Aucoin)

Thanks to these dedicated volunteers, hundreds of people have been able to trace their roots, reconnect with distant relatives, and gain a better understanding of their family history. Thanks to their dedication, the Genealogy Centre is a vibrant hub for exchange, mutual support and discovery. The volunteers who work there do so with diligence and enthusiasm, driven as they are by a desire to bring family stories to life and preserve them as part of our shared heritage.

The Centre offers the public access to a rich collection of documents, including parish records, censuses, family trees, old photographs and various archival holdings. These resources enable visitors, researchers and descendants of Acadians to trace their family origins and gain a better understanding of the region’s social and cultural evolution.

This Chinese proverb, which emphasizes the importance of never forgetting one’s ancestors, is displayed on the wall of the Père-Charles-Aucoin Genealogy Centre in Chéticamp. (Photo: Daniel Aucoin)

In recent years, volunteers at the Centre have been working to digitize some 200,000 genealogical records, a crucial step in preserving family history. Thanks to digital tools, it will be possible to centralize, organize, and securely store a large amount of information about ancestors, such as names, dates of birth, marriages, deaths, and family relationships. Unlike paper records, which are often prone to loss or handling errors, digital carriers will offer greater durability and allow for quick and accurate corrections.

In the digital age, the use of information technology makes it possible to optimize the processing of genealogical information while ensuring its long-term preservation and accessibility. Digitization offers the ability to organize information in a systematic manner, correct it easily, and continually expand it.

As a true guardian of local memory, the Père Charles-Aucoin Centre of history and genealogy remains an important pillar for all those who wish to discover, preserve, and pass on the Acadian heritage. Preserving the Acadian history of Chéticamp allows us to pass on the courage and determination of our ancestors to future generations.

By preserving Chéticamp’s history, the Centre’s volunteers aim to honour the men and women who shaped the community and ensure that their legacy continues to inspire future generations. We can only hope that the passion and dedication of today’s volunteers will continue to inspire new generations of genealogists, ensuring the preservation of our heritage for years to come.

With deep sadness, Société Saint-Pierre announces the passing of Charlie Dan Roach on February 19, 2026. Through his dedication, attention to detail and passion for Acadian family history, he played a vital role in preserving and promoting the roots of many families in the region. Thanks to his unwavering commitment, the Genealogy Centre has become a valuable resource for researchers, residents and Acadian descendants seeking to better understand their heritage.