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Identifier/Call Number
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Doc 634-638
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Description
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en
This collection consists of genealogical and other historical files compiled by Jeanne Rousse and Louis Lavin to document the Graniteville section of Barre, Vermont. While the donors thought that Louis Lavin had created this collection, inspection of its content suggests that it was actually primarily created by his companion, Jeanne Rouse. Evidence within the collection suggests that Ms. Rouse intended to write a history of Graniteville. Although no manuscript history has been found, she was granted permission by Rock of Ages to reproduce photographs from 1912 for a history of Barre that she was writing. At some point Jeanne Rousse conducted a survey of Graniteville residents. The bulk of the files in the collection contain genealogical and biographical information about individuals and families in Graniteville, mostly in the form of clippings and notes. Additionally, many photographs (or reproductions of photographs), capturing a wide variety of subjects from family and individual portraits to businesses, are included in Ms. Rousse's files. Ms. Rousse's skill as a photographer allowed her to reproduce high-quality copy photographs of the family photos of her subjects. Ms. Rousse also created files documenting the people of different blocks, streets, and neighborhoods in Graniteville as well as the owners and employees of various businesses and quarries. In most cases, the contents of these files is biographical and is similar in nature to the files focused on entire families, but with an often greater focus on specific individuals and events. Several churches and schools are also documented.
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Biography, Administrative History and Provenance
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en
Jeanne Rousse was born Mary Laura Jane Rousse, the third child of Hormidas Rousse (1890-1921) and Marie Laura (Longchamp) Rousse (1893-1972), on 7 February 1916 in Graniteville, Barre, Vermont. Her father, Hormidas Rousse, a butcher born in Quebec, died a victim of influenza on 11 October 1921, when Jeanne Rousse was only five years old. After her father's death, Jeanne Rousse and her siblings were taken in by the St. Sylvester Church Convent in Graniteville. She did not attend high school and began working as nurse maid for George Milne's three children at age fifteen, sending her earnings home to support her family. She remained employed by the Milne family for thirteen years during which time she was introduced to photography by Mr. Milne, who was a skilled amateur photographer, and she began taking photography classes. Beginning in 1943 or 1944, Jeanne Rousse went to work for Rock of Ages as a photographer and typist. Ms. Rousse retired after thirty years at Rock of Ages. She used her photography to supplement her income by offering her services as photographer at weddings. Additionally, Jeanne Rousse served on the Board of Civil Authority for Williamstown and worked as a stringer for the Barre Daily Times/Times Argus. Her newspaper contributions mostly consisted of death notices for her community. She also acted as Rousse family historian and had an active interest in genealogy.
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Extent
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4 linear feet
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