Naming the Laurentians

Naming the Laurentians, published in 2005 by Main Street Press, was written by Joseph Graham as a comprehensive examination of the place names within the Laurentian Mountains of Quebec. The work emerged from a desire to document the linguistic and cultural heritage of the region, specifically tracing the origins of names derived from Indigenous languages, early French explorers, and subsequent settlement patterns.

The book serves as a historical and etymological guide, cataloging the stories behind the geographic nomenclature of a region defined by its rugged landscape and long human history. Graham’s research style is noted for its accessible synthesis of local lore and formal historical records, aiming to preserve the memory of how specific locations acquired their identities over several centuries of development.