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For quite some time, I actually believed that the Secord name was very unusual (I think mostly because it is here in Maine) and limited to just my immediate family. As I began my genealogical quest and started doing name searches, I quickly found that the Secord name is far from uncommon. So, where does the Secord name come from? Well, originally the name was Sicard and came from France. The name has taken on many variations over time and has included, but is not limited to the following:

• Sicard
• Siccard
• Sicard De Carufel
• Sicar - minus the "d"
• Secord
• Secor - minus the "d"

As stated above, the name Secord is fairly uncommon in Maine, but an even more uncommon name in this state is Sicard. I'm sure if my Great-Granfather had not changed our surname from Sicard to Secord, my family would probably be the only ones in Maine with that name.

My particular "Secord" family came from the Quebec region of Canada and around the St. Lawrence River. Towns like Riviere-du-Loup, Maskinongé, Berthier and St-Pierre, Ile-d'Orleans are all places that my ancestors lived.

Without the ability to speak French, to say that I was having a hard time deciphering genealogical websites in Canada is probably an understatement. With the help of some indviduals on the RootsWeb Message Boards, namely Bonnie Shewan-Machabee & Jean-Marie Matteau, I was able to find my ancestral line back through Canada and then to France. I owe a great debt of gratitude to these two individuals!

There are a couple of "famous" Secord's that come to mind. Neither is a relative or ancestor of mine that I am aware of. One is Laura Ingersoll Secord, who was a heroine in the War of 1812. The other is Ambroise Secord, who was born in Mornac, Charente-Maritime, France and later immigrated to New Rochelle, Westchester Co., New York, where he died Cir 1710. Ambroise may not be "famous", per se, but in the genealogical community he is one of the most written about Secord's. There's quite a bit written on the web about both Laura & Ambroise. Feel free to search using your favorite engine. :)