Meet Sara Russell. She’s a great find for research into my historical fiction novel.
Sara knows a ton about the French voyageurs and life in New France. I met Sara at a voyageurs re-enactment at Isle a la Cache in Romeoville, IL. She is both an re-enactor and the interpretive naturalist for the Will County Forest Preserve at the Isle a la Cache museum. The museum specializes in the way of life at Isle a la Cache way back in the 17th and 18th centuries.. Where the rivers merge was the perfect place for voyageurs to pull in their canoes to resupply, trade, and exchange news.
My ancestors may have been French voyageurs, so their exploration of the Great Lakes has always intrigued me. When I got the inspiration to write an historical novel, I attended one of the regular rendezvous to get a feel for the life. Sara Russell answered all my questions and took me behind the scenes. She even showed me how her stays (corset) was made. She has hundreds of books in their library and gave me a list for my research.
Isle a la Cache is a beautiful place to visit at any time, but try to get there when the re-enactors can tell you their stories.
Also visit my Facebook Group to follow along as I research the French immigrants who became the voyageurs.
Jeanne Meeks ~ Fiction Author 