Association des Familles Morissette Inc. (Canada)

The "Association des Familles Morissette Inc." was founded in 1994 by Roger Morissette, from Repentigny (Québec). Formally incorporated on 17 October 1996, the association adopted its statutes, coat of arms and motto during its Founding Assembly, held at Trois-Pistoles on 21-22 June 1997. The association grew up from 134 members in 1995 to 215 members in 2007.

There are nine known Morissette ancestors outside France (four in Canada, three in the USA, one in Australia - the founder of Morisset City in 1823 - and one in Haiti). The singer Alanis Morissette is the descendent of one of the Canadian branches of the family.

The flag of the association, designed by André Morissette and unveiled during its fourth General Assembly, held at Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu on 19-21 May 2000, is white with coat of arms of the association in the middle.

The solemn salute to the flag says:

"Je te salue, drapeau de mes ancêtres venus jadis de France.
Je te promets respect et fidélité.
Flotte avec fierté au gré du vent et garde nous toujours unis.
Sois pour nous tous, un symbole d'honneur et de fierté.
Que Dieu garde notre drapeau.
Que Dieu protège tous les Morissette du monde entier."

"I salute you, flag of my ancestors once coming from France.
I swear you respect and loyalty.
Fly with pride in the wind and always keep us united.
Be for us a symbol of honour and pride.
May God preserve our flag.
May God protect all the Morissette all over the world."

The flag is manufactured in two sizes, 10'' x 6'' and 60"" x 36"", that is with proportions 3:5.

Source: Genealogie.org

The coat of arms of the Morissette is:

Tierced per pale, azure a garb of wheat or, argent five fleurs-de-lis azure, or three interlaced chevrons gules, a chief grey charged with 'ASSOCIATION DES FAMILLES / MORISSETTE' in letters sable, the shield surmonting a scroll grey charged with 'HONNEUR & FIERTÉ' in letters sable.

The left field recalls the ancestor Jean Moricet; the garb of wheat symbolizes the Orléans Island, where he lived and agriculture, which was the task of the first newcomers. The wheat stems are arranged to form the "M" of Morissette. Jean Moricet (b. 18 August 1641 in Saint- Gilles-de-Surgères, Aunis, France) married Jeanne Chauret in Beauport, Québec, on 14 January 1669 and settled at Sainte-Famille, Orléans Island. The couple is considered as the ancestors of the Morissette on the southern bank of river Saint-Laurent.

The central field recalls the five descendents of the ancestors who have maintained the patronym, each of them being recalled by a fleur- de-lis symbolizing their French origin and the Quebec origin of their offspring.

The right field represents the ancestor Mathurin Morisset. The three interlaced chevrons symbolize a cape, recalling that the ancestor lived in Cap-Santé, and also recall that the parish of Cap-Santé is placed under the protection of the Holy Family. The three chevrons are arranged to form the two "M's" of Mathurin Morisset. Mathurin Morisset (b. 9 May 1648 in Thouarsais-Bouildroux, Poitou, France) married Élisabeth Coquin in Neuville, Québec, on 9 January 1690, and settled at Cap-Santé. The couple is considered as the ancestors of the Morissette on the northern bank of river Saint-Laurent.

The motto of the association, "Honour and Pride", means honour to all of our ancestors and pride of what we will transfer to our children.

Source: Genealogie.org

Ivan Sache, 20 December 2008