Shivaun's Family Tree Website

Raney family

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 Part 1: Frederick Raney (c1754 - 1826)

Early life and emigration to North America

The 'first Raney' was Frederick Raney. His family were possibly French protestant Huguenots who fled Alsace/Lorraine after France took control in the 1680s. Their original surname might have been 'Renné'. It is not known when he was born but it was likely somewhere in what is now Germany. He was born c1754.

Frederick and his brother John came to America in a Hanoverian Regiment with the Hessian Army, hired by George III to fight the Americans. As a reward for being 'United Empire Loyalists', they travelled to Upper Canada (as it was then) c1780/85 and received land grants in reward. John eventually returned to Germany but Frederick stayed and settled in Aultsville, Osnabruck Township (Ontario) on the shores of the St Lawrence River (about halfway between Kingston and Montreal).

Marriage to Madelon Sene

Frederick married Madelon Sene in 1782, a teacher of French from Montreal. They had only one known child, John. Frederick died 22 April 1826, aged about 72, and was buried 25 April at the United Church Cemetery, Aultsville.

Aultsville was one of a number of villages submerged when the Saint Lawrence Seaway was created in the 1950s. These villages are now known as the 'Lost Villages'. Prior to the flooding the gravestones from the affected cemeteries in the area were moved to the Saint Lawrence Valley Cemetery.

Children of Frederick and Madelon

More information about John (1792 - 1856) appears in Part 2.

Next: John Raney