Saint-Sylvestre Cemetery

GPS Coordinates: 46.362592, -71.230092
County: Lotbinière
Record count: 3,182

Directions: From Leeds Village take Craig Road (route 269 North) about 11 km, then follow route 216 to Saint Sylvester, today spelled Saint-Sylvestre, in the Chaudière-Appalaches administrative region. The cemetery is behind the church.

Background: The parish began in 1829. In the early days this area was first settled by Irish Catholics. Over time, as more French Canadians moved in, the Irish community declined. The parish served the surrounding communities of Saint-Patrice de Beaurivage, Saint-Narcisse and Saint-Elzéar.

This area that borders Lotbinière County and Megantic County has an interesting period in its history. Steve Cameron in his three books called Hill Tales covers the disputes between the Irish Catholic settlers, the Protestant community and the French invasion. In 1870, Hugh Donaghue was murdered and buried in this cemetery. His monument with the word "assassinated" on it stood for over 100 years before it was removed after 1970 and placed in the basement of the church. It is no longer there, apparently given to an American descendant.

Burial Records

• Transcription of Tombstones and Church Records, by Leslie & Susan Nutbrown, 2017, (3,182 records)

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