NEW YEAR – RENEWAL MEMBERSHIP

Look on your envelope that this newsletter was in and if it shows EX2/10 in the top right corner of the label you have not renewed your membership. Dues are due by March 1, 2010 , but don't wait do it now or you may miss out on your mail. A renewal membership form is attached to this newsletter. Please provide your email address also. Our membership list is private and is not given out to anyone; only officers and board members have a list.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

1:00 P.M. MAIN BRANCH

151 Library Drive , Houma , LA

HAPPY 2010

Welcome back! I hope everyone had a good time at the Christmas Party Social Gathering. I myself was unable to attend, due to a previous commitment. But I have heard about all the delicious food that I missed out on. There was so much food, people went home with some. Well I won't miss out again I hope to be there this year. They also tell me that there were enough door prizes that it went around three times and everyone went home with at least three door prizes each. Thanks and appreciation to everyone who brought a dish or dessert and door prizes. I am so sorry I missed seeing everyone there.

ELECTION TIME

It's that time again for us to elect new officers and board members. Our present president, Phillip Chauvin, Jr. and vice-president, Ed Hicks have decided not to run again and three board members. These are the nominees that have accepted the nominations. For President we will have a run off between Ronald Berger and Patricia (Patty) Whitney; Vice-President Louis Duet; Recording Secretary, Sheila Rodrigue; Corresponding Secretary, Jess Bergeron; Treasurer, Nancy Wright; Director, Blanche Brown, Sandra Boudreaux, Sondras Saucier. The election will take place February 27, 2010 . We will also take nomination from the floor at the February meeting. If you want to nominate yourself or someone else and are unable to attend the meeting please send in your vote to the Nominating Committee that consists of Gloria Hicks (985) 532-3586, Dorothy Bergeron (985) 876-2348 and Marcie Cavalier (985) 876-0416.

WORKS OF GREAT DEDICATION

We want to extend our thanks and gratitude to our President, Phillip Chauvin, Jr. for all he has done for the Society. He has written 127 books with a total of 26,943 pages. He has translated 40 Oral History Tapes so far. He has been a charter member of the Society since 1982. He was the first President and has been our President for at least the last 25 years. He is stepping down as President but will remain an active member of the Society.

Claitor's Law Books and Publishing Lost to a massive fire New Years day 1/01/2010

A massive, smoldering mound of charred debris was all that remained Saturday of two historic Baton Rouge businesses wrecked in an estimated million-dollar fire at the Acadian-Perkins Plaza on Perkins Road and Acadian Thruway.

Late into Saturday evening, firefighters focused on dousing any remaining embers of the fire, which started about 11 a.m. Friday and destroyed The Caterie and the inventory of Claitor's Law Books and Publishing, said Robert Combs, a Baton Rouge Fire Department spokesman.

Robert Claitor Sr., owner of the Acadian-Perkins Plaza , estimated more than half of the 120,000-square-foot shopping center was damaged in the flames. Dan Claitor, son of Robert Claitor, said the store's 15,000- square-foot warehouse stored millions of books, some of which dated to the 1800s.

“There were all sorts of historical books, regional cookbooks, poetry, legal and government periodicals,” Claitor said. “They're all gone now.”

Claitor estimated the destroyed inventory to be worth millions of dollars, but said it was insured.

Claitor said his parents, who have owned and operated Claitor's bookstore in that location since 1968, are taking the loss hard.

He said he already has started collecting bids from architects and plans to rebuild Claitor's within 90 days, and The Caterie within five months.

DEATHS

Member Connie Gains lost her husband, Paul Edmund GAINES , he was 50, a native of Anniston , Ala. and resident of Mathews, died Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2009 . He is survived by his wife, Connie Dupre Gaines of Gray; his parents, Jack Roscoe Gaines and Oma “Bootsie” Hill Gaines of Fort Payne, Ala.; one step-daughter, Renee Rochel; one sister, Karen Muse and husband, Daniel, of Atlanta , Ga. ; and three nephews, Dax, Dustin and Drew Muse of Atlanta , Ga. His mother-in-law, Patsy Brunet Bourg of Gray; and his paternal grandparents, Henry Savage Gaines and Lillie Gaines of Anniston , Ala , preceded him in death. Paul loved traveling, adventure, flying, riding his dream motorcycle and sailing in his sailboat, the Creole Angel. He was a member of the Krewe of Endymion in New Orleans . He was a very generous and compassionate man whose greatest fulfillment was helping others. He was a loving husband, stepfather, son, brother and uncle to his many nieces and nephews that he loved very much. He deeply enjoyed spending time at home with his wife, stepdaughter, and many pets. His final request was to “Cast my ashes in blue waters.” All who knew him will sadly miss him.

Georgia Brown Kelly , 81, a native of Kopperl , Texas , and a resident of Tyler , Texas , died Jan. 8, 2010 . She is survived by her son, Cap Raymond Kelly Jr.; sister, Arlene Carlisle of Kopperl; grandchildren Doug Kelly and wife, Heather, of Tyler; Matt Kelly and wife, Lindsay, of Lindale , Texas ; Brad “B.J.” Kelly and wife, Melody, of Hurst, Texas; Erin Kelly of Tyler and Hunter Regian and parents, Jeff and Nelda Regian of Tyler; five great-grandsons, Trent, Ryder, Nolen, Cade and Owen; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Her husband, Cap Raymond Kelly Sr.; an infant daughter; her parents, Chester and Rosalie Brown; and her brothers and other sisters preceded her in death. After marrying, Georgia and Cap Raymond Sr. moved to Houma where she lived for 60 years. She was very active in church, school and civic organizations, and was instrumental in the development of the Terrebonne Parish Genealogy Society. After her husband's death, she worked at Leonard J. Chabert Medical Center for many years. For the past six months, Georgia lived in Tyler where she could be close to her grandchildren and their families. “Sweet Georgia Brown” was a unique lady who touched many with her love and warmth. She will be greatly missed by those who shared her life. In the mid 1970's a group of genealogists met informally and irregularly at various member's homes. Georgia was one the first presidents of the genealogy club. She often hosted the meetings and encouraged the participation of all. They enjoyed talking about their “Brick Walls” and their successes. The members subscribed to different journals and shared them with each other, thus enlarging the available research material. Georgia was delighted when the Terrebonne Parish Library sponsored a meeting for genealogist in November 1981. Georgia, as well as Audrey Westerman and Mercedes Pertuit were the panelists for this meeting. The attendance at this meeting was so enthusiastic that the Terrebonne Genealogical Society was formed. Georgia declined the presidency of this group but she was a very influential member of the board of directors.

Antoinette Perez Robichaux passed away on Friday, October 23, 2009 at the age of 92 years old. Beloved wife of the late Albert J. Robichaux, Sr. Mother of Mary Anne Ronquillo (James) and Albert J. Robichaux, Jr.,(member of TGS) and the late Alfred J. Robichaux and Corvan J. Robichaux. Daughter of the late Armantine Cortez Perez and Paul Lawrence Perez. Sister of the late Gladys Perez Proskowetz, Anthony Perez and Arthur Perez. Grandmother of Christopher Ronquillo (Melissa), Melissa Buras (Edward), Sharon Guidry (Scott) and C. J. Robichaux (Mitzi). Survived by 9 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. A native of Bayou Boeuf , LA and a resident of Harvey , LA. and more recently of Riverbend Nursing and Rehabilitation Center , Belle Chasse, LA. Christian Burial on Monday, October 26, 2009 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 610 5th Street, Gretna, LA Interment Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Gretna, LA. A eulogy was delivered at the Mass of Christian Burial by Albert J. Robichaux, Jr.

Can't find a genealogy book in the Terrebonne Parish Library and you would like in there!!! Contact Patty Whitney, pattywhitney@hotmail.com or at the meeting, with the title, author, & publisher and she will see that the library gets it, if they can.

We offer the newsletter by email. Just send Wanda an email and let her know you want to go paperless. Wmoore1048@aol.com .

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