Carolyn Bessette Kennedy is best known for her marriage to John F. Kennedy Jr., but her own family history is just as fascinating. Her ancestry traces back to the founding families of Quebec and the earliest days of New France. In fact, if you’re French Canadian, there’s a good chance you share some common ancestors with her. If you’re a Carolyn Bessette Kennedy fan, or simply curious about French-Canadian genealogy, join me as I explore her French-Canadian roots.
The Bessette Family
Carolyn is French Canadian through her father, William Bessette. The Bessette family settled in New France in the 1660s. Jean Besset was a soldier in the La Tour company of the regiment when he arrived in New-France. He married Anne Seigneur, one of the filles du roi, on July 3, 1668, in Fort Saint-Louis, and the two went on to have nine children together.
For at least a couple of generations, the Bessette family remained in Chambly, Quebec. Clément Besset, born in 1754, later relocated to Pointe-Olivier. His son, Joseph Clement Besset, was born in Boucherville and died in Richelieu, Rouville, Quebec, and his son, Solyme Bessette, was born in Saint-Mathias-sur-Richelieu, Rouville, Quebec, and died in Iberville, Quebec.
At some point in the late 1800s or early 1900s, Solyme’s son, Ludger Eugene Bessette, moved to Waterbury, New Haven, Connecticut, with his wife, Mary Louise Alphonsine Harnois, which is where they had their son, Alfred Joseph Bessette. Ludger died there in 1939. The Bessette family stayed in Connecticut, which is where Carolyn and her siblings were born.
French Canadian Pioneer Roots
Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s French-Canadian side goes all the way back to the founding families of Quebec, who arrived before 1629 and in 1634 with the Percheron emigration. They include:
| Louis Hébert and Marie Rollet | Among the first permanent settlers in New France. Arrived in Quebec in 1617 with their three children. |
| Pierre Desportes and Françoise Langlois | Arrived between 1614 and 1620. |
| Marie Hélène Desportes | Born around 1620 in New France. First European child born in Canada. |
| Abraham Martin dit l’Écossais and Marguerite Langlois | Arrived in 1620. The Plains of Abraham are believed to be named after him. |
| Zacharie Cloutier and Xainte Dupont | Settled in Beauport in 1634 with their five children. |
| Henri Pinguet and Louise Lousche | Arrived in Quebec in 1634 with their three children. |
Are you interested in the earliest settlers of New France? Check out New France’s Founding Families and Their Fascinating Stories.
Carolyn Bessette’s French Canadian Cousins
Quebec was founded with a very small population. As a result, those with very deep roots in Quebec end up sharing ancestors. Carolyn shares common ancestors with many other celebrities of French-Canadian descent. These include:
Our Shared Connections
Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and I share several common ancestors from the 1600s. I have found these couples, but I am sure there are more.
Want to discover more celebrities with roots in New France’s founding families? Check out Celebrities You Didn’t Know Have French Canadian Pioneer Ancestors.
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