Under the French regime in North America (1534–1760), total immigration from Europe is estimated at around 10,000. Of that, almost half came to Canada carrying arms or because of a conflict. In addition, many Quebec or French-Canadian surnames are the origin of “noms de guerre”.
The military of New France consisted of a mix of regular soldiers from the French Army (Carignan-Salières Regiment) and French Navy (Troupes de la marine, later Compagnies Franches de la Marine) supported by small local volunteer militia units.
Following the conquest of French America by the British in 1760, many soldiers took leave and settled in the new colonies. Conflicts between the United Kingdom and the United States of America once again transformed the continent into a battlefield. The American Revolution and the War of 1812 also brought thousands of soldiers to Canadian soil.
Below are some links to help you find information on the military in Quebec during the French regime 1534–1760, the British regime 1760–1867, the American Revolution 1775–1783, the War of 1812, as well as during the First and Second World Wars.
Carignan-Salières Regiment
Carignan-Salières Regiment - database
Carignan-Salières Regiment Officers and Soldiers who settled in Canada
Soldiers in the Carignan-Salières Regiment
Directory of Officers and Soldiers of the Regiment de Carignan-Salières and of Tracy
Carignan-Salières Regiment - Wikipedia
Compagnies franches de la Marine au Canada 1750–1760
Although the unit was present on Canadian soil 1683-1760, this database only includes soldiers between 1750 and 1760.
Database of the French and British army soldiers in Quebec 1759–1760
Compagnie de milice soreloise (Sorel militia company)
Includes a list of names.
Roll of the Company of Sorel in 1760
During the Seven Years War.
American Revolutionary War (1775–1783)
French Canadians in the American Revolution
Index to French Canadian Revolutionary War Patriots
German auxiliary troops
German auxiliary troops in the service of the United Kingdom (a list of 550 marriages of these soldiers in Quebec).
Militia
Militia Captains for the Quebec City area in 1775
Role of the Canadian Militia of Quebec during the Blockade 1775–1776 of the American Revolutionists
Includes a list of names.Report from the Acadian militia company of the Carleton district of Gaspé seigneury 1789
Drummond County, Centre-du-Québec – Militia of 1865
Includes a list of names.
War of 1812 (1812–1815)
Meuron Regiment
Meuron Regiment
List of soldiers and officers of the Meuron Regiment who came to defend Lower Canada in 1813 against the American invasion.
Les Voltigeurs de Québec
First World War (1914–1918)
Canadian Centre for the Great War
Personnel records of the First World War
The Call to Arms – Montreal’s Roll of Honour European War, 1914
Second World War (1938–1945)
Service Files of the Second World War - War Dead, 1939-1947
McGill Remembers
Thousands of digitized archival records pertaining to the students, alumni, faculty and staff of McGill University who contributed to the Second World War effort.
Miscellaneous
Les Anciennes troupes militaires de Montréal
Rules and regulations of the Quebec Garrison Club
With list of members: established 11th September 1879.
Liste des soldats québécois morts en service
List of Quebec soldiers who died in service.
