Biographies for Secondary Webquest

Robichaud Family (Family 5)

It is September 1948. You are the Robichaud family. You live in a small house near the small village of Cap-Lumière, situated half way between Moncton and Miramichi along the Acadian coastline. Your family consists of a mother, father and three children at home. To pick up your catalogue order, you travel about 50 km to the post office in Moncton by car. You have about $60 to spend on this order.

• Marie Louise (Mother)
• Felix Joseph (Father)
• Regis (Child 1)
• Lina (Child 2)
• Romeo (Child 3)

Marie Louise (Mother)

Hello.

My name is Marie Louise Robichaud. I am 36 years old.

I used to work in a fish processing plant before I was married and am glad I don't work those long hours now.

Now I am busy with the kids and running the household, but now and then I pitch in and help out on the boat.

I would like to have new dishes for the kitchen, and a camera to capture the spirit of our fishing culture. I need a new washboard because my old one is wearing out. And, if we could afford it, I would like to start shopping for a fancy dining room set. Of course, it is nearly Christmas and I would like to buy a small gift for each child.

Go to these catalogue pages and choose a few things to order:

• Dishes (Pages 424, 422, and 423)
• Camera (Page 375)
• Washboard (Page 541)
• Dining room set (Page 435)
• Toys (Page 511 and 512)

Felix Joseph (Father)

Hello.

My name is Felix Joseph Robichaud. I am 37 years old and like my father before me I am primarily a lobster fisherman, but I also fish for herring and mackerel.

I have a 40-foot boat and my 12-year-old son helps out occasionally. I work only a few months of the year depending on how long it takes me to catch my allowable quota. I love the smell of the ocean and this is good work that pays well.

I earn about $3,000 in a season. I would like a warm sweater, long johns, and a new work shirt, and Marie Louise deserves something special, like a new radio.

Go to these catalogue pages and choose a few things to order:

• Sweater (Page 269)
• Long johns (Page 278)
• Work shirt (Page 271)
• Radio (Page 468)

Regis (Child 1)

Hello.

My name is Regis. I am 13 years old and I want to be a fisherman too, just like my dad.

I am in grade 8, but sometimes I am allowed to go on the boat with my dad and help fish for lobster. I also help repair traps and once a couple of years ago helped paint our boat, Fruits de Mer, red and black.

I would like an electric motor kit or Meccano set for Christmas, and my mother says I need new socks and mittens.

Here are my favourite catalogue pages:

• Electric motor kit (Page 514)
• Meccano set (Page 515)
• Socks (Page 112)
• Mittens (Page 112)

Lina (Child 2)

Hello.

My name is Lina and I am 10 years old.

I am in grade 5 and I love to read and walk along the shoreline.

My mother is always telling me to stop reading and come help her with chores around the house and I always set the table for supper.

I would like to have some books and a new pair of pretty red shoes I saw in the catalogue. Maybe a new winter coat would be nice too, and I really need new mittens.

Here are my favourite catalogue pages:

• Books (Page 378)
• Shoes (Page 225)
• Winter coat (Page 172)
• Mittens (Page 112)

Romeo (Child 3)

Hello.

My name is Romeo and I am 8 years old.

I am looking forward to the day when I can go with my dad and Regis on the boat and do some lobster fishing. Once I went on the boat with my mom but I wasn't allowed to do anything. Most of my spare time is spent at home.

I'd like a wagon, a toy tool set, and some toys, like an electric train or toy truck, to play with.

Here are my favourite catalogue pages:

• Wagon (Page 516)
• Toy tool set (Page 515)
• Electric train (Page 513)
• Toy truck or steam shovel (Page 511)