Brick by Brick – iSeeAncestors

Exploring the Odds

This is a status report on my progress to discover the parents of my great-grandfather, Joseph Voisin (1858-1916). I explore DNA probabilities using the What Are the Odds tool for clues about where Joseph might fit in a hypothetical family tree.

The parents of my great-grandfather Joseph Voisin (1858-1916) remain a mystery. Evidence indicates he was born in Ontario, Canada. He was related to Peter Joseph Voisin (1807-1892) of Saint Clements, Ontario. That was proven by a Y-chromosome DNA test with a known descendant. And by traditional genealogy, Joseph is related to Peter Joseph’s brother Henry Joseph Voisin (1801-1884) of Niagara Falls, Ontario. Both of the Ontario brothers went by their middle names, Joseph.

No birth, census or land records have yet uncovered Joseph Voisin’s birth or his parents, except for entries in his personal journal that show he was near both Saint Clements and Niagara Falls when he was young.

A Case for Genetic Genealogy

Great-grandfather Joseph Voisin: A case for genetic genealogy.

My paternal great-grandfather, Joseph Voisin was probably born January 10, 1858. For twenty-five years I’ve tried unsuccessfully to discover where he was born and who his parents were. I turn now to genetic genealogy, to both autosomal DNA and Y-DNA testing. Hopefully it will provide the additional clues needed to solve this mystery once and for all.

I have written about my “brick wall” (Brick by Brick Part 1, Brick by Brick Part 2). Here is a quick summary.

The names of Joseph Voisin’s parents are unknown, but his father’s name could also be Joseph Voisin. ¹ He perhaps lived for a time near St. Clements, which is near Kitchener, Ontario. There are several Voisin families in this area today. They are descendants of the patriarch Joseph Voisin (1805/7-1892). However there is no evidence yet that links our Joseph to these families.

Continue reading “A Case for Genetic Genealogy”

Joseph Voisin: Brick by Brick, 11 through 14

This is another post in a series about finding the ancestors of my paternal great-grandfather Joseph Voisin ² (1858-1916). This is a brick wall I haven’t been able to get beyond for several years. Here I chip away a few more bricks from the wall in hopes of discovering a clue.

Perhaps you can help. If you found this post while searching the Internet, chances are there’s something here that piqued your interest. That means you might know something I don’t know. If so, please post a comment. No matter how small, most any information can provide a clue.

In this installment I’ll remove four bricks from the wall. See also Bricks 1 through 10.

Continue reading “Joseph Voisin: Brick by Brick, 11 through 14”

Joseph Voisin: Brick by Brick, 1 through 10

I’ve reached an impasse trying to find the ancestors of my paternal great-grandfather Joseph Voisin ¹ (1858-1916). It’s a brick wall I haven’t been able to get beyond for several years. If I remove one brick from the wall at a time, I may discover a clue.

In this installment I’ll remove ten bricks from the wall. See also Bricks 11 through 14.

Continue reading “Joseph Voisin: Brick by Brick, 1 through 10”