Thread by @raphink

On the 16th of January 1799, in Ligny-le-Ribault (Loire Valley, near Chambord), in the wake of the French revolution, my ancestor Marguerite Pinson gave birth to her first born son, François Pinson. No father was declared. #AncestryHour #mystery

At that time, Marguerite's older sister Marie Françoise Pinson was married to Firmin Moreau. However, after giving birth to two boys, Marie Françoise died in 1803. Firmin stayed at the Pinson farm and started living with Marguerite. #AncestryHour

In the 10 years that followed, Firmin and Marguerite had 6 children, all recognized by their father, even though they were not married (something I've never seen anywhere else at that time in my family). Yet François remained without a recognized father. #AncestryHour

In the beginning of April 1813, death stroke in the Pinson home. On the 4th, Marguerite's father Jacques died. On the 5th, Marguerite gave birth to a boy, Pierre, and Firmin died. Marguerite then passed the next day. #AncestryHour

François Pinson, then 13 years old, survived (along with some siblings and uncles), having lost his mother, step-father, grand-father and newborn brother in a matter of 3 days. No document I found was able to explain these deaths. #AncestryHour

I couldn't find either who François' father was. I believe Firmin is a good candidate though, and since Firmin was married to Marguerite's sister at the time of François' birth, he would not have been able to recognize the child. A Y-DNA test might clear this up… #AncestryHour

One day, maybe, I'll find a Y-DNA match with surname Moreau, and that might confirm the hypothesis… #AncestryHour