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Association of descendants
of Paul Vachon
(Vachon and Pomerleau families)

Vachon and Pomerleau: two names, one ancestor. *
How do you explain that descendants of Paul Vachon took the name Pomerleau and its variants, Pomerlot, Pamerleau, Pomerlow and some Pomroy? Pomerlot, Pamerleau, Pomerlow and some Pomroy? This is difficult, if not impossible, to prove beyond beyond doubt. The most we can do is formulate hypotheses.

We know that Pomerleau appeared only in Canada. There are no Pomerleau in France. Those who live there today have only been there for a short time.

The first time the Pomerleau name appears in our history, it is associated with Vachon (Vachon dit Pomerleau). Noël, the son of our ancestor Paul, was the first to use this nickname. On occasion, he signs his name Noël Vachon dit Pomerleau. The etymology of the word is unknown at present. Is it a distortion of another word like "petit merleau"? Given the current state of genealogical research of genealogical research. If a Pomerleau is interested in doing the research, it would greatly advance our family history.

It was later, around the fourth generation, that the name Pomerleau was used as a family name. This must have served to differentiate one Vachon family from another, since some kept the Vachon name and others only the Pomerleau. There were other Vachon nicknames, such as the Laminée (Vincent) family, who still exist today but have not kept their nickname, and the Desfourchettes (Pierre) family, who are unfortunately extinct.

So we're all descendants of the same ancestor, and there's no more or less Vachon in our ranks, and we're also Langlois through his wife.

So let's all pay tribute to our ancestor and celebrate together.

* Text by Daniel Vachon dit Pomerleau for the 350th anniversary celebrations of Paul Vachon's arrival in Canada.