Most of us are familiar with the story of the King's Daughters or Fil le Du Roi ; the state sponsored program that brought almost 800 single women to Quebec in the early days of the French settlement , but what is not so well known is the story of the Fille a Marier.  Between 1634 and 1662; 262 young ladies braved the elements to begin an uncertain future in the backwoods of Canada. When the Company of 100 Associates began their settlement scheme, their plan of recruiting only families proved to be too costly, so instead they signed on single men; tradesman and labourers; who would be indentured for three years.  However, this meant that more than 80% of the colonists were men, so even if they decided to stay at the end of their term, there was little hope of them starting a family, unless they chose aCanadian girl. But, since her family would never allow her, or her children, to leave their village; the company directors needed to avoid this from happening.
So instead, they began recruiting "marriagable young girls", who would first sign a contract in France and then be given passage and a small dowry to become the wife of a Quebec settler.  You might wonder why these young girls (many under 16), would risk the dangers and hardships, which by now most of France were well aware of; but believe it or not; for many it was the best option.

At the time, marriages were arranged, so if the girl's family did not have the means to provide a suitable dowry, her only option was to become a nun, if she was Catholic; or marry beneath her station.  In the case of the young Filles a Marier, though a marriage contract must be signed before departure, she had every right to refuse the union, once she met her husband-to-be.  As a matter of fact, many of them did just that, and were provided safe passage home.
Below is a list of all the women brought over under this plan.  Some were sponsored by their church, a company associate or merchant.  Others were of minor noble families; cousins or sisters of men already in the colony. Marguerite Bourgeoys and Jeanne Mance, also escorted several, training them in the necessary domestic skills, and ensuring that they would be well looked after.  Later, critics of the plan tried to say that all the girls were prostitutes taken off the streets of Paris, but this was rarely, if ever, the case.  Most settled down, raised families and formed the roots of many French-Canadian families.

Achon, Ozanne-Jeanne (Anne) 

Alton, Étiennette or Antoinette

Anet, Jeanne 

Armand, Marie 

Arnu, Marthe 

Artus, Michelle

 Aubert, Marguerite

Arneau, Jeanne (Marie-Marthe)

Banne, Gillette

Banse, Marguerite

Barbeau, Suzanne

Barré, Gabrielle

Beaucier, Jeanne

Beaudoin, Madeleine

Beaudry, Perrine

Bénard, Catherine

Bénard, Françoise

Benet, Marie-Suzanne

Bérard, Marie

Betfer or Bedford, Suzanne 

Bidard, Marie 

Bigot, Françoise

Bigot, Jeanne

Bigot, Marguerite 

Bissonnet, Marie 

Bitous et, Jeanne

Boileau, Marguerite 

Boissel, Marie 

Bonin,  Marie 

Borde or Desbordes, Jacquette 

Boudet, Romaine 

Bourdon, Marie

Bou rgouin,Marie-Marthe

Boyer, Anne 

Boyer, Marie 

Breton, Ma rguerite 

Brière, Jeanne-Angélique 

Bugeau, Suzanne 

Camus, Catherine 

Camus or Le Camus, Élisabeth 

Capel, Françoise 

Cartier, Hé lène 

Cerisier, Jeanne 

Chapelier, Marie 

Charles,  Catherine 

Charlot, Marguerite 

Châtaigné, Marie 

Chatel, Hélène

Chaverlange, Jeanne

Chefdeville, Marie 

Chevalier or Lechevalier, Anne 

Cholet or Chaulet, Marie 

Chotard, Jeanne 

Colin, Catherine 

C ousteau, Marie-Madeleine

Crampon, Catherine 

Crépeau or Crépel, Françoise 

Crevet, Marie 

D’Assonville,  Gabrielle 

De Lamarque, Anne 

De Lambourg, Esther 

Delaunay, Anne 

Delaunay, Jeanne

Delava ux, Catherine 

De Liercourt, Anne-Antoinette D

Deligny, Marie 

De Mousseau, Louise 

Denoyon, Suzanne 

De Poitiers, Marie-Charlotte 

De Richecourt dit Malteau, Jeanne 

Desbordes, Mathurine 

Després, Anne 

Després, Geneviève 

Després, Marguerite 

Desvar ieux, Vincente 

Doucet, Marie-Madeleine 

Doucinet,Marguerite

D rouillard, Marie-Madeleine 

Drugeon, Élisabeth 

Dubois,  Madeleine 

Duchesne, Nicole 

Duguay or Dugué, Jeanne 

Dumesnil, Marie 

Dupont, Marie-Madeleine 

Durand, Anne-Antoinette 

Duteau, Madeleine 

Duteau dit Perrin, Marie-Michelle 

Duval, Louise 

Duval, Suzanne 

Duverger, Françoise

Duverger, Suzanne 

Émard, Anne 

Fabrècque, Madeleine

Fafard, Françoise 

Fayette, Marie

Ferra, Marie 

Forestier (Fortier), Catherine 

Fougerat, Charlotte 

François, Mar ie-Madeleine 

Freslon, Jacqueline 

Frit, Marie 

Gachet,  Marie 

Gamache, Geneviève