TGS Newsletter
Vol. 23 No. 4 June 2004

Visit our home page at http://www.rootsweb.com/~laterreb/tgs.htm

IT’S READY!
Laïse Ledet’s They Came They Stayed CD is ready to ship. 466 scanned pages from the original book, 7331 references (503 to pictures, 265 to family group sheets) in the expanded hyperlinked index. There are 2719 individuals and 1234 families in the genealogy database. Extras include a timeline of the area, tips for creating your own family history, and forms to help you get started. All for $25.00 + $3.00 S&H. Requirements: internet browser (i.e. Netscape, MS Internet Explorer or Mozilla) and at least 64 MB memory (RAM). Send your order to TGS, P.O.Box 20295, Houma, LA 70360-0295.
  
Will Cajuns eat anything? I’ve heard it said often, but Ruth Labit EXPOSITO says “This Cajun won’t!” This came about when Juanita CHIASSON brought some fried shrimp heads to the May meeting for us to taste. Have you ever thrown away that part of the shrimp that comes out of the head with a bunch of legs attached? Well, you just might want to try dipping them in a milk and egg batter, then in flour (Juanita used whole wheat flour) and deep-frying them. If you want to try it, be sure to rinse off all the “black stuff,” Juanita says. She serves them warm, as an exciting appetizer. Most of us had never heard of it, but it does taste quite good when it is warm and crispy. Juanita said she had been hearing about it, and her family liked it when she tried it some time back. My question is: Is it a Cajun dish or not? I did an Internet search and found “shrimp head” in two significant places. 1)As Shrimp Head Powder, which is a “protein-enriching ingredient, suggested uses: in noodles, snack foods, instant soup mixes, and other products requiring protein and energy supplementation.” (Quoted from the website of the Department of Science and Technology in Manila, Philippines.) 2)On a meal with Amaebi (Amaebi with Fried Shrimp Head) along with Ikura Salmon Roe and Uni Sea Urchin, all for $4.50 at a Sushi Lovers®’ menu web site. (Evidently a chain of restaurants in Southern California.) So I guess it has Asian origins. Does anybody have any information to the contrary?
   
 Immediately after the June meeting we will start the training for the Terrebonne Library Genealogy Volunteers. Amy WHIPPLE, Assistant Director of the Terrebonne Parish Library System, will take a group of interested volunteers and meet with them (probably in a smaller room) for a half-hour training session on the Library System. We will schedule more specialized training in using the Genealogy books and computers later in July. On Wednesday, June 30, Darryl ESCHETE, Head Reference Librarian, will do the same for those who couldn’t make the Saturday meeting. We will meet in the Genealogy Department at 10:00 a.m.
  
 The Executive Board of the Terrebonne Genealogical Society agreed to print the packets to hand out to beginning genealogists. We just have to give credit to the society. I think everybody has been so cooperative in this project. Please plan to attend one of the training sessions. That way, even if you don’t start in July, you will be trained whenever you do decide.
  
WEDDING: On 21 May 2004, in Larose, Louisiana, Jeremy Joseph BOUDREAUX, grandson of Board Member Essie Joseph CAVALIER and active member Marceline LANDRY CAVALIER, married Lesley Reneé DONOVAN, daughter of Glenn Gilbert DONOVAN and Melinda Mary CHIASSON DONOVAN. Parents of the groom are Giles Jude BOUDREAUX and Karen Ann CAVALIER BOUDREAUX LEBLANC. Paternal grandparents of the groom are Eva Marie BREAUX BOUDREAUX and the late Howard Joseph BOUDREAUX. The bride’s maternal grandparents are Arnold Joseph CHIASSON and Mathilde LeBLANC CHIASSON, and her paternal grandparents are Gilbert Cleveland DONOVAN and the late Bronson Paige HOWARD DONOVAN.
  
DEATHS: We apologize for neglecting to mention the death of Elodie LOUVIERE PENNISON, mother of charter (and lifetime) member Ruby PENNISON GABRIEL. She was 90 years old, a native of Chacahoula and resident of Thibodaux, and died April 23, 2004. She is survived by two sons, Donald and Daniel PENNISON; 10 daughters, Ruby GABRIEL, Elodie LUSCO, Evelyn TUCKER, Anne Lee CLEMENT, Carol NAQUIN, Jane CLAUSE, Clara ANDRAS, Kathleen "Kathy" LEGENDRE, Judy MARTIN and Nancy BOUDREAUX; 52 grandchildren, and numerous great and great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur J. PENNISON; one son, Arthur J. PENNISON Jr.; nine brothers and sisters and four grand-children. We sympathize with your loss, Ruby.
    Our apology and sympathy go out to Dorothy “Dot” Naquin Smith, longtime member, who lost her granddaughter in February. Jodie SMITH BANAS, 35, was a native of Schriever and resident of Montverde, Florida. She is survived by her husband, Edward D. BANAS Jr.; mother, Ananell SMITH and stepfather, Michael BRACY; son, Kyle D. BANAS, and daughter, Brittanie N. BANAS; brothers Vione A. SMITH and William Joseph BRELAND Jr. and sister, Heather L. SMITH of Tampa, Florida. Please accept our apologies and deepest sympathy.
    Louis G. ZELENKA Sr., 97, father of member Louis G. ZELENKA Jr., died Friday 21 May 2004. He was a native of Houma and resident of Jacksonville, Florida. He is survived by two sons, Louis Jr. and Michael H. ZELENKA, wife, Linda; and two grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice HUNTER ZELENKA; his parents Dr. Rudolph L. ZELENKA Sr. and Eva BAZET ZELENKA; two brothers, Capt. Bernard ZELENKA and Rudolph ZELENKA, D.D.S.; and two sisters, Thelma Z. KYSER and Imelda Z. RHUBES. 
    He graduated from LSU in engineering, was a longtime member of the Army Reserve and was on active duty with the U.S. Signal Corps. Much of his World War II experience was in top-secret communications based inside Kilauea volcano crater in Hawaii. He retired as a major from the Army. He was a lifetime member of the Seminole Canoe and Kayak Club and was commodore of that organization for several years and was a state canoe race champion. He was also a member of Telephone Pioneers of America. He was the last surviving grandson of Bernard F. BAZET, founder of the Houma Courier, and Louis George ZELENKA, organist at St. Francis de Sales Church. He and his sister, Thelma, donated the Main Street Memorial Park Fountain in memory of their brother, Rudolph ZELENKA Jr., D.D.S.
    Our sympathies go out to the family of Neil Lucien ABBOTT Sr., 79, beloved husband of  member Janet G. ABBOT. He was a native of Algiers and resident of Houma for 41 years. He died at 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 2, 2004, and is survived by his wife, Janet GOULD ABBOTT of Houma; one son, Neil "Tony" ABBOTT Jr. and wife, Vanessa LINKS ABBOTT, of Houma; three daughters, M. Lynne ABBOTT MARQUARDT and husband, Douglas MARQUARDT, of Natchitoches, Ann ABBOTT CHAMPAGNE and husband, Patrick C. CHAMPAGNE, and Ellen ABBOTT CLICK and husband, Dean CLICK Sr., of Houma; one brother, Granville ABBOTT of Gretna; one sister, Helen A. FARRELLY of Waveland, Miss.; and 13 grandchildren, Carl MARQUARDT and wife, Amy, Rebecca, Megan MARQUARDT, Neil "Trey", Nicholas, Nathan ABBOTT, Amanda, Dominique, Monica, Isabelle CHAMPAGNE, Dean CLICK Jr., Catherine and Hope CLICK.
    He was preceded in death by his parents, Kirk H. ABBOTT and Josie CAMBRE ABBOTT; one granddaughter, Kate C. CHAMPAGNE; and one brother, Kirk H. ABBOTT Sr. He was a PBX expert with South Central Bell and was a U.S. Marine Corp veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 218 in Algiers, American Legion Lenox Hotard Post No. 31, U.S.M.C. League and Bell South Pioneers of America. He was a parishioner of St. Bernadette Catholic Church.
  
MEMBERS: Several of our members have been in the hospital, and not just to visit friends. They might appreciate a call or a card or a visit or a prayer. They are Ledora Hernandez and others who wish to remain anonymous. Don’t ask me how you are going to call someone who wishes to remain anonymous. I’m having a hard enough time trying to spell “anonymous.”
  
“NEW” ADDRESS: In case you missed the announcement the first time, our address has changed. The box number, specifically, changed from P. O. Box 295 to P. O. Box 20295. Also, you don’t have to put the “Station 2" any longer. Just be sure to put the correct zip (unchanged) 70360-0295. We have a feeling that some of our book and CD orders are getting lost in the bowels of the USPS.

CALLING ALL BERNARDS: You are cordially invited to a Bernard family reunion on Saturday, September 18, 2004 from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at Lovett Road BREC Recreation Center, 13443 Lovett Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70818. This is an air-conditioned and/or heated building, and outside there will be tennis and basketball courts and playground equipment for the children plus a baseball diamond for any who are interested. Contact Mary Agnes COKES HAMMETT, 16548 Vermillion Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70819, phone 225-273-0320 or email mach10 at bellsouth.net Mary Agnes says “Let’s get together for a happy occasion.” and “Please come and share in the event with lots of love, family pictures, and family stories.” Positively no alcohol or drugs allowed. Thanks. Details available from the contact person.
  
ACADIANS & CAJUNS: The Terrebonne Parish Main Library will host a presentation by Mr. Leryes USIE on “The History of the Acadians & Cajuns.” Be there at 6:00 p.m. sharp on Thursday, July 15, 2004, to catch the whole thing, and stay until 8:30 p.m. If you need more information, contact Carlos CROCKETT, Reference, Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 985-876-1733.
  
GOOD HABITS: Have you ever tried to put a book back on the shelf and the hole that it came out of had closed up? That makes you look at the book and look at the ones still on the shelf and try to place the darned thing in exactly the right spot. What if you had put a marker to hold the place where you took the book! Then, whoever went to replace the book would know without trying too hard exactly where it goes. That’s the  concept behind those little white plastic trapezoids that you may have noticed sticking out of the shelves in the Genealogy Department. The extra ones are located at the ends of the shelves. So, now, when you take a book off the shelf, no matter if you are just going to glance at the index, put a white plastic shelf marker where you took the book. That way you can help yourself and others to replace the book when you are finished. Just be sure you don’t steal the marker from another place on the shelf! Get one of the extras at the end of the shelf. Thanks from the Library workers and other patrons.
  
A GYPSY STORY: In 1857, at the age of 6, Bolivar (B.T.) SILLS was stolen by the gypsies from his home in Hickory Flats (Tippah Co.) Mississippi. His father, John SILLS, a farmer, spent most of the next nine years looking for his son. After finally locating him in Louisiana, the sheriff of that parish (unknown) had B.T. pick out his father from a line-up of several men. B.T.’s great grandson, Ron SILLS would like to confirm the story, so is trying to locate a newspaper article or sheriff’s report with the details. If it exists, it would have appeared in 1865/67. Contact Ron & Joye SILLS, 27462 Brandon Circle, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487-8414, phone 970-870-0188 (collect call OK) or FAX 970-870-2801, email r.sills at starband.net And drop us a line to let us know, too. We are just curious.
 
ACADIAN FAMILY CRESTS: Were you able to go to the dedication ceremonies on June 15 at the Acadian Memorial in St. Martinville? The new mosaic Acadian family crests of the GUILLOTTE, DUGAS, DOIRON, POERIER, LeBLANC, SONNIER, MOUTON and BABINEAUX families were presented at that time. These crests, some ancient, some recently designed by families, are symbolic of the families’ history and origins, and were funded jointly by a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts and the Acadian Families. I presume they are still on display. If you have never been to the Acadian Memorial, 120 South New Market St., St. Martinville, LA, you should plan to go and take the family this summer (unless you are planning to go to Congrès Mondial 2004 in Nova Scotia). The mural is the most striking feature, but there are other plaques and exhibits to show them to explain their heritage.
  
MELANSON BOOK: Ten years (!) in the making, Melanson - Melançon: The Genealogy of an Acadian and Cajun Family is finally here! This new hardcover book has 1,040 pages, a 20,000+ person index, complete footnotes and a full bibliography. It covers the Melanson and Melançon descendants of Pierre and Charles Mellanson, who arrived in Acadia in 1657, through the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, New England, New York, the Midwest and Louisiana. The only address I have is email: mbmelanson at aol.com and the author’s name is Michael Melanson. If you are having trouble locating him, write us for help.
  
INTERNET SITES OF INTEREST: A digitized copy of The New Orleans Bee/L’Abeille de la Nouvelle-Orleans, volumes 1-173 (Sept. 4, 1827 through Dec. 27, 1923) is now available on the Jefferson Parish Library website at http://www.jefferson.lib.la.us The newspaper, L’Abeille, was a French language newspaper in New Orleans which added an English section three months after first publication. It continued as a dual language journal until 1872 when the English portion was dropped, and once again became French only. Briefly (1829-1830) there was also a Spanish language section.
     To access the pages, first go to the home page as given above, then click on the Reference tab and choose the Genealogy category from the drop-down menu; select “NEW ORLEANS BEE” from the list by clicking it, then follow the step-by-step instructions provided. (Acrobat Reader is required for reading the pages, and a link is provided for downloading the program, if you need it.) Zoom in or out as needed.
     Sheila RODRIGUE, our efficient Secretary, sent in the following website for locating your family members who served in World War II. She says she found two uncles that she knew had enlisted in the service during WWII. And I found myself! Go to http://aad.archives.gov/aad/title_list.jsp and enter the required data. It appears that it might be useful for other purposes than just WWII records. Try it and let us know. The title of the site is Access to Archival Databases (AAD), so that covers a lot of territory. Just click on “All Series” “People” or “Indexes to Other Records.” Sheila says to be sure to select from the list when entering a Resident State and/or Resident County because it calls for a code number, not the name of the state or county.