Growing up, I always knew of the farmers who lived about a half mile away with the surname of Periard. My sister and I both knew of Periard class mates. I knew my dad had talked about them as well. Little did I know there was actually a family connection – until I started researching the family history. I suspect that most of the current generation didn’t know there was a family connection either.

I wrote previously about Rose Rivers who was married to August Malorey. I have seen the surname written as Mallory and Mallorey. Well, Rose and August had one child – Mary. Rose died while carrying their second child. August went on to marry Clara Macomber. Mary was born April 15, 1905. The year is in question – but 3 of the census records that I have found her in agree on 1905. Her death certificate has not been viewed yet, but the information extracted gives her birth year as 1903. Since the date would actually fall before her parents married, I’m inclined to believe the 1905 date rather than the 1903 date. So far, I haven’t been able to find a birth record.

Mary went to live with her Aunt Mary after her mother died. Aunt Mary was her mother’s sister, Mary Jane Rivers. Mary Jane was born April 12, 1881 in Albee Township to my 2nd great-grandparents, John Rivers and Frances Jane Munson. Mary Jane married Claud Alvin Hutchins on April 7, 1899. Shortly after they married, they moved to the Pontiac area. As far as I can tell, Claud and Mary Jane never had children of their own. So, when at 5 years old, Mary lost her mother, Claud and Mary Jane probably took in her niece and raised her as their own. Mary Jane died on August 11, 1950 and Claud died on January 13, 1954.

Mary married Edward J. Periard in 1927 in Wayne County, Michigan. They stayed in the Detroit area until sometime between 1935 and 1940 when they moved to Taymouth Township in Saginaw County.

Prior to his marriage, Edward had lived for a time in Saginaw, and after they were married, he had a general store. Edward’s parents were Clement Periard and Auxilda Kennel (both were born in Canada but immigrated to Michigan in the 1880’s). Edward had a brother, William born in 1888. It is from William that the Periard neighbors descend from.

On May 26, 1946, Mary and Edward were walking with friends along M-13 when they were struck by a car. Their friends, Andrew Wojcik and his wife Frances along with Mary were killed instantly. Edward died of his injuries 4 days later.

As far as I can tell, Edward and Mary never had children. The only newspaper articles found so far are from Battle Creek and Detroit. However, I can’t imagine it not being in the Saginaw papers too.