SYLVAIN PAQUElTEChaire en paysaw et envimnnement, Univeflite de Montrd, C.F 61 28, Succursale Centreuille, Monthl, Quebec, Canada H3C 3J7 (email: syhain.paquette@umontreat.d In studies of frontier settlement patterns, different site factors are recognized as influential on the immigrant settlement process. Environmental factors such as soil features, while widely cited as crucial, have rarely been studied in enough depth to measure their relationship to other phenomena such as ethnic attractiveness. Qualitative and quantitative case studies in early 19th century Godmanchester township's sequence of land occupancy indicate that pioneer settlers in this region of Quebec were influenced by a mixed set of factors that changed over time. In reconstructing Codmanchester's land colonization process and pattern based on local historical sources and Lower-Canada manuscript censuses of 1825, 183 1 and 1842, the traditional way of understanding such processes was put into question. Geomorphological deposits, while remaining a relatively decisive factor in determining settlement patterns until the end of the 1820s, were gradually displaced by ethnic proximity, as revealed in censuses up to 1842. To understand this settlement pattern, one must consider the pioneers' goals from their perspective: they were primarily interested in self-sufficiency and were not all necessarily market-oriented farmers. From this standpoint, attractive land to settle seems more appropriate than the standard assumption of good land for cash-crop favming. Key words: settlement frontier development; 19th century agriculture; historical landscape dynamics; rural immigration; Southern Quebec. Dans les etudes portant sur la colonisation des fronts pionniers, les variables reconnues susceptibles d'orienter la marche du peuplement sont multiples. Pour expliquer la localisation des colons, une majorite de ruralistes accorde la preponderance aux proprietes du sol. Bien qu'elle soit consideree determinante par plusieurs, I'attirance ethnique ne se voit pas attribuer une importance equivalente. Afin d'evaluer le rde respectif de ces deux facreurs, nous avons reconstitue I'occupation initiale du sol dans le canton de Godmanchester (Quebec). Pour y parvenir, nous avons consulte I'historiographie locale et depouille les recensements nominatifs de 1825, I83 I et 1842. Nos resultats indiquent que les deux variables examinees exercent une influence sur I'orientation du peuplement mais que leur attrait respectif ne s'exprime pas necessairement au mime moment. Apres avoir ete decisifs jusquz la fin des annees 1820, les depbts de surface semblent ensuite perdent de leur influence au profit de I'attirance ethnique. Pour comprendre ce patron d'implantation, il importe de reconnaitre que les colons sont des producteurs residentiels plutbt que des agriculteurs commerciaux. Ces derniers recherchent probablement davantage des sites facilitant I'etablissement de leur famille que des terres propices u I'agriculture de marche.