The Filles du Roi ("Daughters of the King") were 800 intrepid young women, between the ages of 16 and 30, who left everything they knew behind in France to start a new life populating the colony of New France (Quebec), arriving in Canada between 1663 and 1673. They speed-dated their way to new husbands, and quickly got down to business, popping out enough babies to increase the colony's population by more than 150% in just a few years. Millions of North Americans now owe DNA to them, and we think they deserve more than a little applause for their bravery and strength of character. Bien joué, ladies!
Further Reading: Immigration of the Filles du roi to New France (Government of Canada)The filles du roi (Canada: A People's History - CBC)Filles du Roi (Canadian Encyclopedia) "Filles du Roi": Come Visit Scenic New France in the 17th Century (The Toast)
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