Edouard Bélanger, also known as Tardif

The origin of another group of Tardif descendants has not yet been clearly elucidated. This group has as founder-ancestor Edouard Bélanger, married to Olympe Portuguais on the 28th of January, 1845. This Edouard Bélanger was buried under the name of Edouard Tardif on the 29th of March, 1859.

Their marriage certificate reads as follows: "On the twenty-eighth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and forty-five, having thrice published at the prone of our parish masses in Quebec the banns of marriage between Edouard Bélanger, cart driver, son of age on the first part, and Olympe Portuguais, daughter of age of François Portuguais and the late Victoire Peticlerc on the second part, and considering also that said parties were domiciled in Quebec, we the undersigned curate of said parish of Quebec have received their mutual consent of marriage and have given them the nuptial benediction in the presence of Joseph Plante, friend of the bridegroom, and François Portuguais, father of the bride, who, as well as the contracting parties, have declared they could not sign.

Chl.F. Baillargeon, Fr."

This marriage certificate indicates that Edouard is a cart driver by trade and is of age, but the name of his parents is not given as it should be. For this reason, several other birth, marriage and death certificates were examined to verify if the name of his parents and other Tardifs was indicated and the list of these certificates is given below with relevant information:

• 28th of January, 1845:marriage of Edouard Bélanger, cart driver, son of age, and Olympe Portuguais.
• 18th of July, 1847:baptism of Edouard (Bélanger) son of Edouard Bélanger cart driver and Olympe Dasylva.
• 21st of June, 1849: baptism of Georges-Alfred son of Edouard Tardif cart driver and Olympe Dasylva.
• 23rd of May, 1851:baptism of Marie Olympe (Tardif dit Bélanger) daughter of Edouard Tardif Bélanger, cart driver and Olympe Dasylva dit Portuguais. Godfather: Abraham Tardif, godmother: Judith Amiot.
• 18th of August, 1852:burial of Marie-Olympe (Bélanger) daughter of Edouard Bélanger, cart driver and of Olympe Portuguais.
• 29th of March, 1859:burial of Edouard Tardif, cart driver, husband of Olympe Portuguais, deceased two days previously, aged 38.
• 10th of August, 1868:marriage of Joseph Edouard Tardif, son of age of the late Edouard Tardif, in his lifetime cart driver, and Olympe Dasylva Portuguais, and Marie-Olive-Alvine Lefebvre
• 1rst of July, 1872:marriage of George Alfred Tardif, cart driver, son of age of the late Edouard Tardif, cart driver, and Olympe Dasilva dit Portuguais on the first part, and Marie-Louise Bussières

As can be seen Edouard and Olympe Portuguais had at least three children: Marie-Olympe, Joseph Edouard et George Alfred. In all their birth, marriage and death certificates, the name of the parents is given as Edouard Tardif dit Bélanger or Edouard Tardif, except in one case. Olympe is surnamed as Portuguais, Dasylva or Dasylva Portuguais.

Only one of these certificates mentions other Tardifs. It is that of the baptism of their daughter Marie Olympe, where the names Abraham Tardif and Judith Amyot are given as godfather and godmother. Could there be a family tie between Abraham Tardif and Edouard Tardif? Could the latter be the adopted son of Abraham Tardif? Why wasn't Abraham acting as a witness at Edouard's wedding?

Up to now it has been impossible to find the vital information to enable us to answer these questions. One thing is certain however and that is that the sons, Edouard (Jr) and George Alfred were married under the name of Tardif, and all their descendants are called Tardif.