Interesting, I cross referenced my information from ancestry.com, and Genealogies of Red River Households (Pemmican Publications), and your information coincides with the Pemmican Publications book, whereby, Madeleine Faillant is shown as being born in the USA in 1825. However, I only have photocopies of the book information from our public library reference section. I'm 95% certain that I was only able to track the last name Faillant, as far as 1825, in this book at the time, which was several years back.
Now, according to Ancestry.com, Madeleine Angelique Fagant was born Nov. 1823, at the Red Deer River Settlement, Manitoba and died in Batoche, Saskatchewan in 1897. The very same source lists her as being hitched to Alexis Gervais who was born in the Northwest Territories in 1818, and having died in Batoche in 1895. Madeleine Fagnant's parents are listed as Jean Baptiste Fagnant born, 1800 in Trois Rivieres, Quebec., and having died at St. Francois Xavier RRS on July 30, 1871. and Josephte Monet Bellehumeur, born February 7, 1805 in Berthierville, Quebec and having died in West Nimba, Liberia, Africa. Of course Josephte Bellehumeur was the daughter of Marguerite Grant and Michel Monet.
I don't know how accurate Ancestry.com is, however, I'll venture a strong guess that they are very accurate in the information I've gathered. I don't know to what extent you've studied Metis history, but here I go:
1.) Cleophile Gervais, the son of Alexis Gervais and Madeleine Fagnant, had a brother named Cuthbert Gervais - passing down of family names was customary amongst the Metis, as it was/is with their European counterparts.
2.) The dates and places where Madeleine Fagnant and Alexis Gervais died, in Batoche in 1895, and 1897 coincide with the historical record, whereby, Metis people who were involved in the 1869 Red River uprising, moved west, to enjoy the events of 1885.
3.) It was customary, out of survival, for Metis people to marry or take a partner more than once in their lifetime.
4.) Metis moved around, a lot like gypsies, For example: My grandmother Florence Fiddler, was born in Great Falls, Montana. Yet her parents were born at St.Francois Xavier RRS. Gail Morin's genealogy book falsely cites my grandmother Florence Fiddler as deceased as a child.
Now, I'm just drawing on a few hunches:
1.) Perhaps, many Metis changed their names to evade Canadian authorities after 1869, and !885. Contrary to the Canadian historical record, Riel didn't start the idea of nationhood by himself.
2.) Another thing I found interesting in this most recent information. is the connection to Liberia, Africa. Two of my great, great, great grandmother's are recorded as being born in West Nimba, Liberia. Some quick research reveals some very interesting facts about West Nimba, Liberia. Perhaps the West Nimba, Liberia connections had something to do with the idea of formulating a Metis nation state?
Anyways, I've rattled on the best I can, I just got off work. Any more info I find, I'll share with you. Thank you, for your interest.
