G. E. Valley Jr.'s correspondence with Gail G. Bouchard, secretary of Notre Dame Church, Ogdensburg, October 1986 to May 1987: the 1986 certificate of baptism of Edouard Vallee; a photocopy of the 1875 register entry (No. 64, "Edouard (batard)"), which says he was born of unknown parents, with the names Joseph Vallie and Sophie Bertrand written in above the line, and GEV's translation and comment; his questions about foundlings and sponsors; the church's reply that it found no baptism for Sophie and no marriage of Joseph and Sophie; his letter of thanks; and his letter to St. Mary's Church, Waddington.

[Notebook p. 138. Copy of GEV's typed letter to the secretary of Notre Dame Church, Ogdensburg, pasted over the foot of her letter to him (only her signature block shows: "Gail G. Bouchard, Secretary, GGB").] October 18, 1986

Ms. Gail G. Bouchard, Secretary Notre Dame Church P.O. Box 149 Ogdensburg New York 13669

Dear Ms. Bouchard:

Thank you very much for your letter of October 14, 1986 enclosing a Certificate of Baptism for Edouard Vallee.

However for certain purposes an actual photo-copy of the original church record is required; if you will let me know the cost, I am very willing to pay for the services of the requisite photo copyist or Xerox machine operator.

Again, let me thank you for your help. I trust that you will be able to assist me further in my researchs into the early life and career of Edouard Vallee.

A self addressed stamped envelope is enclosed for your convenience.

Sincerely yours, [signed] George Valley George E. Valley, Jr. Professor of Physics, Emeritus Massachusetts Institute of Technology [handwritten:] VLCMI8

[Notebook p. 139. A photocopy of the Certificate of Baptism issued by Notre Dame Church, Ogdensburg, on 14 Oct 1986, pasted in, with GEV's note above it.] [GEV's note:] original in Valley file. Note errors: he couldn't have been baptized on the day he was born! (his birthday was Apr 12); his [struck: father's] maternal grandfather's name was DOLBEC

Certificate of Baptism Notre Dame Church, 125 Ford Avenue, Box 149, Ogdensburg, New York 13669 This is to Certify That Edouard Vallee Child of Joseph Vallee and Sophie Bertrand born in Ogdensburg, New York on the 23rd day of April 1875 was Baptized on the 23rd day of April 1875 According to the Rite of the Roman Catholic Church by the Rev. G. Jeannotte the Sponsors being Carolus Lacombe, Delima Douillette as appears from the Baptismal Register of this Church. Dated 10-14-86 [signed] [Rev. ...] Boyer [?], Pastor

[Notebook p. 140. Typed letter from Gail G. Bouchard, secretary of Notre Dame Church, Ogdensburg, to GEV, pasted in. A photocopy of the 1875 baptismal register entry is pasted sideways in the margin, with GEV's translation in red ink beside it. GEV's notes: "original & copies in the Valley records folder"; and, at the foot, his comment dated 24 Oct 86.]

NOTRE DAME CHURCH, 125 FORD AVENUE, P.O. BOX 149, OGDENSBURG, NEW YORK 13669 October 21, 1986

Mr. George E. Valley, Jr. 607 Main Street Concord, MA 01742

Dear Mr. Valley:

Enclosed is a copy of the entry in our Baptismal records of Edouard Vallee. This was taken from the page of the volume for that time period.

This is the best we can do for you and I trust that this will cover the requirement you need.

If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to ask.

Yours truly, [signed] Gail G. Bouchard Gail G. Bouchard, Secretary GGB Enc. 1 CHARGES.... previous Cert. of Baptism $2.50; Photocopy of entry 2.50; TOTAL AMOUNT DUE $5.00

[Photocopy of the register entry, in Latin; marginal entry number and name:] B. 64 Edouard (batard) Anno Domini 1875 die 23 Aprilis. Ego infra scriptus baptizavi Edoardum natum parentibus ignotis. [written in above the line: Joseph Vallie & Sophie Bertrand] Patrini fuerunt Carolus Lacombe et Delima Douillette. G. Jeannotte ptre.

[GEV's translation, in red:] In the year of the Lord 1875 on the day of 23 April, I, according to the scriptures, baptized Edouard born of parents unknown. Patrons were Carolus Lacombe and Delima Douillette - G. Jeannotte, Pastor. (Edouard a bastard)

[GEV's comment, in blue, at the foot of the page:] So, The little bastard was a bastard in fact. The ambition to overcome this & be a somebody must have plagued him all his life - no wonder I was beaten up for getting in his way, I suppose. 24 Oct 86

[Notebook p. 141. Photocopy of GEV's typed reply to Gail G. Bouchard, pasted in.] October 24, 1986

Ms. Gail G. Bouchard, Secretary Notre Dame Church P.O. Box 149 Ogdensburg New York 13669

Dear Ms. Bouchard:

Your letter of October 21, 1986, enclosing a copy of the baptismal record of Edouard Vallee, is very welcome.

Three questions remain:

a) my high school latin translates the record to mean that Edouard was a foundling, adopted by Joseph Vallee and Sophie Bertrand. Is this correct, or was he more likely the child of Sophie by someone other than Joseph Vallee?

b) Edouard's mother, the Sophie Vallee who raised him, was born Sophia Dolbec; is it likely that she and the Sophie Bertrand, whose name is written into the record along with that of Joseph Vallee, were the same person?

c) were the Sponsors, Carolus Lacombe and Delima Douillette, people who might have been regularly summonsed to sponsor a foundling child found on the church steps, or might they have been people who found the infant and carried it to the church? A possible answer to this question might be found by seeing if these same people sponsored other foundlings.

I know that these are fairly deep questions, but considerable depends on their answers, and I hope that your patience with my enquiries will survive this last challenge.

My check for $5.00, and a self addressed stamped envelope are enclosed.

Sincerely yours, [signed] George E. Valley, Jr. George E. Valley, Jr. Professor of Physics, Emeritus Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Printed on October 24, 1986, FILE VLCMI9

[Notebook p. 168. Typed letter from Gail G. Bouchard, Notre Dame Church, to GEV, pasted in. GEV's notes: "rec'd 29 Nov 86"; "see p 179" (beside the last paragraph).] NOTRE DAME CHURCH, 125 FORD AVENUE, P. O. BOX 149, OGDENSBURG, NEW YORK 13669

November 24, 1986

Mr. George E. Valley, Jr. 607 Main Street Concord, MA 01742

Dear Mr. Valley:

In reply to your letter of October 24, 1986. I can really add no further information to what you already have. From the baptismal register it does appear that Edouard was adopted by Joseph Vallee and Sophie Bertrand.

Our records begin in 1858 and I checked all sources to see if I could find a baptismal entry for Sophie Dolbec/Bertrand and could find nothing to answer your question if this was one and the same person.

As to sponsors of Edouard, there is no indication that they were regularly summoned to be sponsors for adoptions. I tried to find a marriage record that may shed some light on the subject but there was no record of marriage between Sophie and Joseph during this time period, nor Delima Douillette.

I am sorry we could be of no further assistance to you. However, I must ask for another $5.00 for time spent searching through records. I hope this is no inconvenience.

One suggestion, you could contact St. Mary's Church in Waddington, New York 13694 (P.O. Box 187) for checking on Sophie and her given name, as their records pre-date ours and they may have some information that we do not.

Yours truly, [signed] Gail G. Bouchard Gail G. Bouchard Secretary GGB

[Notebook p. 169. Copy of GEV's typed reply to Gail G. Bouchard, pasted in. GEV's notes: "Check #6346 for $30.00"; "VLCMK1".] GEORGE E. VALLEY, JR. 607 MAIN STREET CONCORD MA 01742 617 369 5692

May 28, 1987

Ms. Gail G. Bouchard, Secretary Notre Dame Church P.O. Box 149 Ogdensburg New York 13669

Dear Ms. Bouchard:

No, I didn't intend to ignore your letter of November 24. Things piled up on me, and everything connected with genealogy had to be put aside. I apologize, and enclose a larger check than you requested in penance.

You may be interested in knowing more about the foundling Edouard:

Edouard Vallee' was raised in the French quarter of Montreal, and returned to his native country when he came of age. Traveling to New York City, some say by bicycle, he entered the employ of the noted inventor Nikola Tesla, from whom he learned about electricity. He became a moderately successful electrical contractor.

He added the name "George" about 1905, because he didn't want to be named after the then King of England, and thereafter styled himself George E. Valley.

What is remarkable about Edouard is that four of his children and grandchildren are successful scientists in famous universities and large corporations. My genealogical research convinces me that there is no other likely source of technological competence in the family tree. Whoever Edouard's forebeears were, they were not stupid people.

If my brother and I and our children have done any good in the world, it is owed in some part to your church for having found a good home for the infant Edouard. And our thanks to you, for your efforts.

Sincerely yours, [signed] George E. Valley, Jr. Professor of Physics, Emeritus Massachusetts Institute of Technology

[Notebook p. 179. Copy of GEV's typed letter to the pastor of St. Mary's Church, Waddington, N.Y., pasted in. GEV's note: "See p 210".] GEORGE E. VALLEY, JR. 607 MAIN STREET CONCORD MA 01742 617 369 5692

May 28, 1987

The Pastor St. Mary's Church P. O. Box 187 Waddington New York, 13694

Dear Sir:

The secretary of Notre Dame Church in Ogdensburg has recommended that I approach your church, in the hope of learning something of the following people:

Joseph Vallee' b. about 1840, d. after 1880. He is thought to have been a river pilot.

Sophia Dolbec, or Sophia Bertrand, born about 1826 or 1836, died in New York City on August 17, 1922. She was the wife of Joseph Vallee'.

Carolus Lacombe and Delima Douillette who sponsored the baptism, in April 1875 at Notre Dame Church, of the infant Edouard adopted by Joseph and Sophia Vallee'.

If there are any records of the names Vallee', Dolbec, Bertrand, Lacombe, or Douillette during the period 1845 to 1885, I would much appreciate copies.

Needless to say, I will generously reward whomever you may request to search your church's records for the information that I need.

Thank you very much for attending to this letter. A self addressed, stamped envelope is enclosed for your convenience.

Sincerely yours, [signed] George E. Valley, Jr. George E. Valley, Jr. Professor of Physics, Emeritus Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Printed on May 28, 1987 FILE VLCMK2