In 1663, King Louis XIV of France initiated a significant plan to send young women across the Atlantic to marry settlers.
The colony of New France, now part of Canada, faced a severe shortage of women, which hindered its stable growth and development.
To address this, between 1663 and 1673, approximately 768 to 800 young women, known as the “Filles du Roi” or “King’s Daughters,” were recruited for this purpose.
These women travelled across the ocean, an arduous journey in those times. 
Many were orphans or from modest families, and crucially, the King typically provided them with a dowry and covered their passage costs.
Historical records affirm they were required to be of good moral character, often presenting letters of reference, contrary to some inaccurate and unfounded claims made later by writers like Baron de Lahontan.
Upon arrival in New France, most Filles du Roi married relatively quickly to soldiers, farmers, and tradesmen, helping to establish households and communities.
Their arrival and the families they formed played a vital role in significantly boosting the population and laying a social foundation. 
Millions of people in North America today, particularly those of French-Canadian descent, can trace their ancestry back to these courageous women.
The Filles du Roi program was instrumental in shaping the demographic and cultural landscape of the region for generations to come.
