Catherine Fortier/Fortin and Antoine Bonneville
I am trying to find more information on Catherine Fortin/Fortier and Antoine (Augustin?) Bonneville. The couple is found in Thorndike Village, Palmer, Hampden Co., MA, in the 1880 Census. Interestingly, Antoine, born in Canada, is shown to be 50 years old, while wife Catherine is but 22. This in itself is not so odd, but there is a 17 year old son, and 10 and 12 year old daughters. This would suggest Catherine is a second wife or the age is incorrect. One source I have states Catherine was the mother (natural?) of Agnes, the 10 year old, who was born in Thorndike. This couple eventually goes to St. Albans, VT. Note that only a few households away are several other Fortier/Fortin families, including one with Bonneville twin girls as boarders.
The only Fortier/Fortin I can find in the proximity old enough to be a parent of Catherine and who was in Massachusetts early enough to have her, is Louisa(?), age 49. She is a widow and appears without a husband in 1870 as well. Problem is, going back to 1870, I do not see young Catherine in her or any other Fortier/Fortin home. The only Bonneville in 1870 is a Julie/Julia, who I believe marries John Fortier/Fortin (see 1880 Census).
Who were the parents of Catherine Fortier/Fortin or Antoine Bonneville? Somewhere I have noted that Catherine had at least two sisters--Mary and Sophia. Both names appear among these Fortier/Fortin families. However, without ages/dates of birth, I do not know if I am looking at the correct ones. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have been trying to take these two families back to Canada, but have been foiled in all my attempts. As I have read , constructing the bridge between the US and Canada is often the most difficult part of the research. This has proven to be true.
---Mike