I am looking for further information on the ancestors of the first Jean RIOU to emigrate to Nouvelle France. He married in Nouvelle France in 1678, therefore left France ealier. He was born in Ploujean (today in Morlaix, Finistere 29151) and baptized Jean ROC'HIOU on March 20, 1652 (Notre Dame). Have partial info on his parents, and looking to find more details on his grandfather, Jacques KEROC'HIOU, possibly born about 1600 . Anyone with info, or access to the Bibliotheque Genealogique a Paris, please e-mail me. Thanks.

Sorry I cannot add any useful information on your request, since our branch of the RIOU(x) family came to Canada before 1678. We have no contact with later RIOU(X) in Brittany. Good luck!

Hello and Bonjour,

I, too, am researching my French ancestry. So far all of these ancestors lived in Brittany. My grandmother's grandmother, Philomene Gouliquer, was born 1830-1840 and married twice, her first husband surnamed Riou or Rioux. They had a son, Francois, born 1860's. Within a few years, Riou had passed away and Philomene had married Pierre LeCleach. They had 4 children, all born 1870's: Alain, Alexis, Francois-Vincent, and Philomene. Because Philomene's son from her first marriage was named Francois, Francois-Vincent was called "Vincent."

If any of these names look familiar, please let me know. Thank you and Merci.

Jan Mulligan

I recently found out that my great grandfather, Ephraim Riou emigrated from France in circa 1860. He settled in Key West after marrying in the West Indies.
I've received census records from 1900 and 1910 showing several Riou households in Key West. My father passed away in 1978, before I could learn about his ancestors. I have found two relatives in South Florida. There are additionally family homes still in Key West. One of my cousins has a photograph of Ephraim in what appears to be a French military uniform. He and several other family members are buried in Key West. I'm planning a trip for sometime this year.
If any of this sounds promising, please let me know.

I have some information on the Riou family but I am not sure if this will help you. My mothers maiden name is Marie Louise Riou, her father's name is Alain Riou(1923-1978). My family is from Bretagne. My grandfather, Alain Riou came to NY in 1956 from Bretagne. Alain had 2 brothers, Marcel and Guilluame, and 1 sister, Jeanette. My grandfathers father was also called Guilluame Riou(1891-1963) and he was married to Louise Guern. My great, great grandfather was also called Guilluame Riou but I do not have dates on him. My family on that side lived in or around the town Scaer, Bretagne. I am still resaerching further back for more information. I hope that maybe this might help you, let me know if it does. Good luck!

Hello, I read with interest your reference to photo(s) of your Ephraim in uniform, and with the many nautical industries along the Breton coast: navy, coast guard, customs, maritime, commercial, etc., your photo might provide clues.
Jan Mulligan

I never did get to see the photo, but I learned he was a fireman on a ship after he moved to Key West. The uniform was probably naval.

Thank you, Linda. In my line of Breton ancestry the name Alain appears in almost every generation, regardless of family, and either as a first name, or a second name hyphenated with '-Marie.' As far as the Riou connection, according to my grandmother's verbal account, Philomene Gouliquer was referred to as 'The Widow Riou' not only after her first husband died, but also long after she married again, to Pierre LeCleach

linda le cras from yai?
if this is you, please email me at lindaspeech@yahoo.com