Family Photographs: Memories and Histories

Not all families have the opportunity of preserving family memories and photos. Emilienne Faron was one of those. She was a long-standing close collaborator of researchers at the University and helped us to better understand the history of families in Cite Mivoie, Black River. Her contributions helped researcher Sophie Lechartier write her chapter in the report on Cite Mivoie for the Truth and Justice Commission of 2011. We wish to pay homage to her even though so little is known and recorded of her family history. In lieu of photographs, her genealogical tree is presented.

As per her national identity card, Emilienne was born on the 10th of April 1942 in a place named 'Listo' in the Salines Koenig. She was born of a relationship between her mother and Stephen Lahache. She was not recognised by her father and therefore did not carry any patronymic name until she got married to Israel Faron when she was approximately 16 years old. Her mother was Marie Isabelle Rabot and was married to Cyril Labouseuse.

According to her testimony, obtained in interviews before her death, her grand-mother was Marie Amandine Malgache married to Jason L’Hermitte. Her ancestors came from India and Madagascar. Her paternal grandmother came from 'Africa' and moved to Le Morne while her maternal grandmother came from India and of Catholic faith. They lived in Black River. She grew up with her aunt.

Emilienne had four children with Israel Faron. From around 1964 however, she lived with Louis Renaud Louise and had 5 children. Most of her children married within Cite la Mivoie and neighbouring villages/cites. She was employed in manual works such as in an aloes camp and mill as well as in sugar cane fields ("koup kann, plant kann, grat kann, depay kann").

Emilienne passed away on 18th August 2013.