Please take note that there are others who have reported this line as far back as France, but I have been unable to confirm (or cite) them at this time. In order to keep things simple I will be keeping this family line beginning with Louis Bernier (B 1813) until I can confirm other information posted by others on Ancestry.com and the like.
1. Louis Bernier married Rutha Renfro 1 Jul 1845 Madison Co., MO, USA
Birth 1813 in Ste Genevieve, Sainte Genevieve, Missouri, United States
Death 23 Mar 1854 in Madison County, Missouri, USA
Children of Louis Bernier and Rutha Renfro:
A. Louis Francis Bernier
Birth 1848 in Madison, Missouri, United States
Death 3 Oct 1924 in Knob Lick, St Francois, Missouri, United States
B. Mary Ann Bernier (married John Henry Polete|Politte)
Birth 25 Apr 1849 in Mine LaMotte, Madison, Missouri, United States
Death 21 Jul 1913 in Liberty, St Francois, Missouri, United States
C. John Walter “Walter” Bernier|Burnia (married Kizzie (Keziah) “Kid” Renfro)
Birth 09 May 1853 in Mine La Motte, Madison, Missouri, USA
Death 15 Feb 1920 in Flat River, St Francois, Missouri, United States
Note: After Louis Bernier died Ruth Renfro married Francois Edmund LaChance 25 Jun 1854 Madison Co., MO; they had two (2) children, but some list it as three. I’ll explain why below:
D. Alexander LaChance (married Sarah Norwilda Huskey; then Phermonia Paralee Watson)
Birth 12 Sep 1854 in Mine La Motte, Madison, Missouri, United States
Death 1 Feb 1933 in United States
Note: Due to Alexander’s date of birth I’ve come to the conclusion that he is Louis Bernier’s biological son and not Francois (Frank) Edmond’s LaChance’s son. I explain it further in this post: https://midwestmentality.com/blog/2014/06/16/the-birth-of-alexander-andre-lachance-bernier-burnia-connection
E. Charles Joseph LaChance (married Martha Heath)
Birth 1 Sep 1864 in Mine La Motte, Madison, Missouri, United States
Death 16 Jan 1926 in Washington County, Missouri, USA
F. James Andrew LaChance (married Laura Jane LaChance)
Birth 23 Dec 1865 in Mine La Motte, Madison, Missouri, United States
Death 12 Dec 1941 in Knob Lick, St Francois, Missouri, United States
A. No record of Louis Francis Bernier being married or having children at this time.
B. Children of Mary Ann Bernier and John Henry Polete|Politte:
B1. Ruth Jane “Jenny” Polete (married Henry Circulum 26 Jul 1888 Madison Co., MO, USA; William LaChance 1 Jan 1890 Madison Co., MO; Robert Sutton 16 Feb 1905 St. Francois Co., MO, USA)
Birth 25 Jun 1870 in Mine La Motte, Madison Co., MO, United States
Death 8 Nov 1957 in Fredericktown, Madison Co., MO, USA
B2. Louis Polete
Birth 1873 in Mine La Motte, Madison, Missouri, United States
Death unknown
B3. Francis “August” Polete (married Nanna Alice Byers)
Birth 24 Jul 1878 in Mine La Motte, Madison, Missouri, United States
Death 18 Feb 1968 in Flat River, St Francois, Missouri, United States
B4. Elizabeth Ann Polete (married James Clinton Dickey)
Birth 15 Aug 1881 in Mine La Motte, Madison, Missouri, United States
Death 19 Jun 1971 in Farmington, St Francois, Missouri, United States
C. Children of John Walter “Walter” Burnia and Kizzie (Keziah) “Kid” Renfro:
C1. Martha L. Burnia (married George Lewis Vandergriff 3 Aug 1892 Madison Co., MO, USA)
Birth 24 May 1874 in Madison County, Missouri, USA
Death 26 Jan 1902 in Mine La Motte, Madison, Missouri, United States
C2. James Henry Burnia (married Clara Anna Sales 7 Mar 1901 Fredericktown, Madison Co., MO, USA)
Birth 8 May 1876 in Mine La Motte, Madison, Missouri, USA
Death 4 Apr 1949 in Elvins, St Francois, Missouri, United States
C3. Ruth Matilda Burnia (married John Reynolds 14 Jul 1900 Greenville, Wayne Co., MO, USA; then Steve Creagh aft 1915)
Birth 18 Mar 1879 in Mine La Motte, Madison, Missouri, United States
Death 14 May 1955 in Leadwood, St Francois, Missouri, USA
C4. Charles Andrew Burnia (married Dolly L. Stegall 4 May 1905 Fredericktown, Madison Co., MO, USA)
Birth 18 Feb 1880 in Mine La Motte, Madison, Missouri, United States
Death 17 Oct 1935 in Detroit, Wayne, Michigan, United States
C5. John Alexander “Alex” Burnia (married Rachel Sutton 7 Feb 1910 Fredericktown, Madison Co., MO, USA)
Birth 27 Jul 1886 in Mine LaMotte, Madison, Missouri, United States
Death 8 Jun 1954 in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, United States
C6. Fannie Marie Burnia (married Robert Hugh Price 2 May 1905 Madison Co., MO, USA; Benjamin Sales 20 Dec 1913 Madison Co., MO, USA; James Bowling 21 Aug 1919 Flat River, St. Francois Co., MO, USA)
Birth 21 Nov 1888 in Madison County, Missouri, USA
Death 18 Jul 1958 in St Francois, Missouri
C7. John Walter “Flynn” Burnia (married Mattie Sutton 7 May 1915 Madison Co., MO, USA)
Birth 1 Mar 1890 in Mine La Motte, Madison, Missouri, United States
Death 12 Sep 1953 in St. Louis, Missouri
B1. Children of Ruth Jane “Jenny” Polete and William LaChance:
B1A. Mary Louise LaChance (married George Dickey 5 Oct 1907 Madison Co., MO, USA, then Frank Holley about 1910)
Birth 17 Nov 1890 in Mine LaMotte, Madison, Missouri, United States
Death 21 Jan 1966 in St Francois, St Francois, Missouri, United States
B1B. Male (Name unknown) LaChance
Birth 17 Nov 1890 in Mine LaMotte, Madison, Missouri, United States
Death unknown
Note: I believe Mary had a twin due to the date of birth listed on the Missouri Birth Records, 1851-1910 for Lachance (click here) on line 4. It’s been said that Ruth Jane “Jenny” had 4 children that preceded her in death so this may account for one of them.
B1C. William Washington LaChance (married Carrie Lovina Wilfong 2 Jul 1915)
Birth 24 Dec 1894 in Mine LaMotte, Madison, Missouri, United States
Death Jul 1972 in Madison, Missouri, United States
B1D. Lucy Melvina LaChance (married John W Trousdale 17 Mar 1916 Madison Co., MO, USA)
Birth 26 Sep 1896 in Mine LaMotte, Madison, Missouri, United States
Death 29 Jun 1983 in Madison, Missouri, United States
B1E. Emma Jane LaChance
Birth 16 Nov 1898 in Madison, Missouri, United States
Death 2 Dec 1978 in Farmington, St Francois, Missouri, United States
B1F. Andrew LaChance
Birth 19 May 1901 in Madison, Missouri, United States
Death 9 Feb 1920 in Flat River, St Francois, Missouri, United States
Children of Ruth Jane “Jenny” Polete and Robert Sutton:
B1F. Clinton Charles Sutton (married Edna Aileen Dillard 7 May 1939)
Birth 2 Feb 1906 in Knob Lick, St Francois, Missouri, United States
Death 27 Nov 1957 in Iron Mountain Lake, St Francois, Missouri, United States
B1G. Bessie Pearl Sutton (married Edward Werner)
Birth 18 Jan 1908 in Mine LaMotte, Madison, Missouri, United States
Death 30 Mar 1980 in Farmington, St Francois, Missouri, United States
B1H. Jesse Ellen Sutton (married Virgil Archie Bloom; then Harry Leon Counts; then Felix A. Kist)
Birth 14 Jul 1910 in Knob Lick, St Francois, Missouri, United States
Death 5 Aug 1986 in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, United States
C1. Children of Martha L. Burnia and George Lewis Vandergriff:
C1A. John Henry Vandergriff (married Ada Beulah Sutton 7 Jun 1915 Catherine, Madison Co., MO, USA)
Birth 12 Sep 1893
Death Oct 1972 in Festus, Jefferson, Missouri, USA
C2. Children of James Henry Burnia & Clara Anna Sales:
C2A. Mary K. Burnia (married James Claud Moses 17 Jan 1920 St. Francois Co., MO, USA)
Birth 14 Mar 1904 in Madison County, Missouri, USA
Death 12 Nov 1969 in Elvins, St. Francois County, Missouri, USA
Emma Pauline Burnia Radford
C2B. Emma P. Burnia (married William Radford 16 Nov 1922 Flat River, St. Francois Co., MO, USA)
Birth abt 1906 in Missouri
Death 1962 in Missouri, United States
C2C. Myrtle Burnia
Birth 1908 in Missouri
Death unknown
C2D. Francis G. Burnia
Birth abt 1911 in Missouri
Death 22 Jan 1994 in Farmington, St Francois, Missouri, United States
C2E. Jossie H. Burnia
Birth abt 1913 in Missouri
Death unknown
C2F. Martha E Burnia
Birth abt 1916 in Missouri
Death unknown
C2G. Lawrence E. Burnia
Birth abt 1919 in Missouri
Death 15 Jul 1935 in Missouri, United States
C2H. Claude Burnia
Birth abt 1921 in Missouri
Death 29 Jan 1997 in Farmington, St Francois, Missouri, United States
C2I. Laura R. Burnia (married Virgil Revelle 22 Mar 1941 Potosi, Washington Co., MO, USA)
Birth 18 Jun 1922 in Flat River, St. Francois County, Missouri, USA
Death 2 Nov 1986 in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, United States
C3. Children of Ruth Matlida Burnia and John Reynolds:
C3A. Katie Reynolds
Birth 27 Dec 1901
Death 30 Jan 1976 in Farmington Hills, Oakland, Michigan, USA
C3B. Fannie Reynolds (married John Wesley Hartzell abt 1926)
Birth 4 Dec 1906 in Mine La Motte, Madison, Missouri, USA
Death 25 Nov 1985 in Salem, Dent, Missouri, United States
C3C. Jesse Reynolds
Birth 1911
Death unknown
C3D. Flora Dora Reynolds (married Charles Barker; then Francis Womack)
Birth 23 Mar 1913 in Madison County, Missouri, USA
Death 13 Jul 1989
Note: No record of Ruth Matlida Burnia and Steve Creagh having children at this time.
C4. Children of Charles Andrew Burnia and Dolly L. Stegall:
C4A. Irene Pearl Burnia (married Toby Plunkett 20 Sep 1919 St. Francois Co., MO, USA; then Fred Floyd Oster aft 1920)
Birth 2 Apr 1904 in St. Francois County, Missouri, USA
Death 2 Sep 1989 in Farmington, St Francois, Missouri, United States
C4B. Stella Burnia (married Joseph Since, Jr. 21 Dec 1922 Farmington, St. Francois Co., MO, USA)
Birth 25 Feb 1906 in Mine La Motte, Madison, Missouri, USA
Death 24 Apr 1982 in Farmington, St Francois, Missouri, United States
C4C. Goldie Marie Burnia (married Roy Snead 21 Aug 1922 Flat River, St. Francois Co., MO, USA; then Norman Grunleaf Olsen abt 1929)
Birth 25 Feb 1906 in Mine La Motte, Madison, Missouri, USA
Death 24 Apr 1982 in Farmington, St Francois, Missouri, United States
C4D. Leslie A. Burnia
Birth abt 1912 in Missouri
Death Jun 1965 in Michigan, USA
C4E. Mamie M. Burnia
Birth 28 Apr 1913 in Madison County, Missouri, USA
Death 27 Jul 1917 in Elvins, St. Francois County, Missouri, USA
C4F. John L. Burnia
Birth abt 1914 in Missouri
Death unknown
C4G. Lorean A. Burnia (married Charlie McBee 19 Mar 1936 St. Francois Co., MO, USA; then Harley Hogue, Sr. Jul 1938)
Birth abt 1920 in Missouri
Death 1956
C4H. Hazel Lena Burnia (married James F. “Pat” Williams 17 Apr 1936 St. Francois Co., MO, USA)
Birth 7 May 1922 in Flat River, St. Francois County, Missouri, USA
Death 12 Apr 1980 in Farmington, St Francois, Missouri, United States
C4I. Virginia May Burnia (married Donald B. McBride 4 Mar 1937 St. Francois Co., MO, USA)
Birth 25 Oct 1924 in Esther, St. Francois County, Missouri, USA
Death 28 Jan 1979 in Farmington, St Francois, Missouri, USA
C5. Children of John Alexander “Alex” and Rachel Sutton:
C5A. Beulah S Burnia (married Albert Wesley Trudo 10 Nov 1928 Washington Co., MO, USA)
Birth 27 Sep 1912 in St Francois, St Francois, Missouri, United States
Death 13 Jun 1929 in Washington, Missouri, United States
Alma May Burnia Nickles
C5B. Eileen Burnia
Birth 26 Mar 1914 in Madison, Missouri, United States
Death 26 Dec 1914 in Madison, Missouri, United States (pneumonia)
C5C. Alma May Burnia (married Bufford Lee Nickles, Sr. 23 Apr 1932 in Cadet, Washington Co., MO, USA)
Birth 16 Feb 1916 in Missouri
Death 4 Feb 2011 in Bonne Terre, Saint Francois, Missouri, United States of America
C5D. John Sylvester Burnia
Birth 8 Aug 1918 in St Francois, St Francois, Missouri, United States
Death 9 May 1920 in St Francois, St Francois, Missouri, United States
C5E. Freddie William Burnia (married Melba Cain 5 Jul 1941 Potosi, Washington Co., MO, USA)
Birth 14 Jan 1921 in Missouri, United States
Death 3 Sep 1991 in Bellflower, Los Angeles, California, United States
C5F. Marie Burnia (married Wilford T. Sansoucie 18 Feb 1939 Cadet, Washington Co., MO, USA)
Birth 21 Aug 1923 in Missouri
Death 14 Sep 1986 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, United States
C5G. Gladys Virginia Burnia (married Virgil W. Cross 16 Sep 1943 Potosi, Washington Co., MO, USA; then Edward McCullough abt 1970)
Birth 11 Jan 1926 in Leadwood, St Francois, Missouri, USA
Death 15 Dec 1991 in Affton, St Louis, Missouri, USA
C5H. Daughter (still living)
C5I. Nina Burnia (married Robert Moore; then Paul Raymond Thompson; then Robert Chris Wilcox, Sr 16 Aug 1953 Ironton, Missouri, USA)
Birth 28 Aug 1931 in Washington, Missouri, United States
Death 1 Oct 1993 in Belle, Maries, Missouri, United States
C6. Children of Fannie Marie Burnia and Robert Hugh Price
C6A. Maude Ellen Price (married Earl Vester Wells 15 Dec 1924 Potosi, Washington Co., MO, USA)
Birth 24 July 1907 in Mine La Motte, Madison, Missouri, United States
Death 20 Mar 1966 in Bonne Terre, St Francois, Missouri, United States
C6B. Neoma Elizabeth Price (married George Washington Helms 15 Apr 1926 Potosi, Washington Co., MO, USA; then Charles Edward Horton 10 Aug 1933 Potosi, Washington Co., MO, USA)
Birth 28 Feb 1910 in Mine La Motte, Madison, Missouri, USA
Death 5 Sep 1973 in Crescent City, St. Louis Co., Missouri, USA
Children of Fannie Marie Burnia and Benjamin Sales
C6C. Joseph Benjamin Sales
Birth 6 Oct 1914 in Mine La Motte, Madison, Missouri, United States
Death 14 Oct 1916 in Mine La Motte, Madison, Missouri, United States
C7. Children of John Walter “Flynn” Burnia and Mattie Sutton:
C7A. Samuel L. Burnia
Birth 19 Aug 1918 in Leadwood, St. Francois County, Missouri, USA
Death 10 May 1919 in Esther, St. Francois County, Missouri, USA
Pingback: Alma May Burnia | Family Lineages: Tracing History
My parents were Clinton and Edna (Dillard) Sutton My question is. My dad fathered a child with another woman wife or not I don’t know, before he married my mom in 1939 Her name was Betty Jean (Sutton) ? Betty Jean died as a child. I would like to know anything about her. Have you ran into her anywhere in your searches. Thank You for your time. Connie Shelton
I haven’t ran into any information about her, but if you could give me more information (date of birth) I might be able to do a little more digging and see what I can come up with. Just let me know 🙂
Thank you but I don’t have a date of birth or death. All I know is her name and that she was my dads daughter . I have tried everything I can think of to locate any info on her but the sad fact is there may be no records of her at all. I would say she was born and died between the years 1924 and 1937. Thank you for your time and if by chance you do ever see anything at all about her I would love to find to hear
Good evening,
I located your website,,,,this is awesome…..I am a descendant of Mary Ann Bernier who married John Polete; their daughter; Elizabeth Ann Polete/Politte married James Clinton Dickey. I would love to share info with you.
Katie Reynolds was my Grandmother. My biological Grandmother had already passed a way. She was the only Grandmother, I knew growing up. She was a lovely lady and always had time for us kids. My father was her stepson. Lonnie. Miss her greatly.
Hi, I’m looking for this couple, but don’t have any dates for them,
Francis Bernier and Elizabeth Lapointe. They’re my great grandparents.
Thank you,
Carol Morrow
Unfortunately I don’t have any one matching those names, specifically. Do you have any other information that might be helpful? Let me know 🙂
I have been doing family genealogy for over 30 years and my grandfather was John Walter LaChance (Mar 14 1886 – Feb 7 1975), son of Alexander LaChance
(Sep 12 1854 – Feb 1 1933).
However, during my research I recently came across your website that indicates my lineage may instead come from Louis Burnia/Burnier (1813 – Mar 23 1854) who is most likely the biological father of Alexander LaChance.
I’m so glad I found this information, as I think it’s important to know the truth of our ancestry. Thank you so much for sharing your research and genealogy.
Terri Ferguson (LaChance)
Me, too! It’s definitely something worth noting due to the timing 🙂 And you’re more than welcome. That’s what my website was intended for. The more information out there, the better for all of us who search for the answers.
Hi my name is Edward Bauer my grandmothers name is Viola Opal LaChance before her passing we had a huge family reunion in Fredericktown MO and I was told my great great uncle helped found fredericktown his name was Nicolas LaChance. My Great Grandpa was named James Andrew LaChance can u help me to know if Nicolas did indeed help found the town