Terrebonne Genealogical Society

TGS Newsletter
Vol. 21 No. 7 September 2001

Visit our home page at http://www.rootsweb.com/~laterreb/tgs.htm
E-mail: edhicks@mobiletel.com                 Phone: (504) 532-3586

Membership and/or address changes:
Please send by mail to TGS, Station 2 Box 295, Houma, LA 70360-0295


 
NEXT MEETING Saturday, September 29, 2001
North Branch Library, Gray, LA 1:00 p.m.
 
     The entire T.G.S. family extends its sympathies, condolences and best wishes to all those affected by the recent events in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania.
     To them we say “Our prayers are with you.”
 
     What a wonderful treat it was to hear a genealogist-historian talk about visiting the land of his forefathers. We heard about the history of the Acadians from the first settlement in the land which is now called Nova Scotia to the grand dérangement (or eviction to put it bluntly) and beyond. Mr and Mrs. Elton Oubre took their whole family, including grandchildren, on a tour of the historic and scenic places in Canada last summer. He documented it with maps and brochures, so he brought these to our meeting to share with us. Some of his offspring were there, as well, to hear his detailed explanation of the trip. The high point of the talk was the promise he asked of his children: that they would take their grandchildren back to the same places and tell them the story of their ancestors, just as he did. A very touching moment was shared with us. Thank you, Elton.
     It is so important to share our stories with our family members. They will certainly be richer for the experience. If you can’t take your children on a tour, write the story of your childhood and your ancestors. If you can’t leave them dollars, leave them untold wealth in the form of stories.
 
     For our September meeting we have invited Ethel “Toonie” (née Tregre) Daigle to speak about her experiences in writing four (!) family history books. She has written all four since her retirement from the Terrebonne Parish School system. Her last assignment was at H. L. Bourgeois High School as Guidance Counselor. The books she wrote are titled Daigles from Acadia to Valence, The LeCompte Connection, A Tregre Reunion, and her most recent, Boudreauxs on the River. “Toonie” is unique because of her fabulous book signing parties, and she has promised to share some of her tips along with her experiences. Now, don’t miss this one, hear? It promises to be a great afternoon.
     While we are at it, you might be interested in our plans for the October meeting, occurring as usual on the last Saturday of October (the 27th). Since October is Family History Month, among other things, we will be having a Beginner’s Workshop in advance of the meeting. If you know of someone who is interested in embarking on a great new avocation, tell them about it. Even better, you could bring them with you because our regular monthly meeting will be held that afternoon. Let’s go over that again. On Saturday, October 27, 2001, starting at 9:00 a.m. we will conduct a beginner’s workshop until noon. After a lunch break you and your guest will be invited to attend the regular monthly meeting at which the members who are in attendance will be graciously sharing their knowledge and advice with any and all present. I am making that statement with complete confidence. I haven’t said anything to them yet, but I know they are usually willing to share with any guest who just wanders into our meeting, and I can’t think why they would act any different with invited guests.

BIRTH
     TGS Members Mr. & Mrs. Elaine Tregre and  Harold J. Terracina are happy to announce the birth of their sixth grandchild, Dale Alan Lasseigne Jr. of Bayou Blue. He was born at St. Anne’s General Hospital, Raceland, on Sunday, 26 August 2001, at 2:22 a.m. He is the son of Dale Alan and Dawn Terracina Lasseigne Sr. and joins siblings Delani Elvidge and Desi Marie Lasseigne. Dale’s paternal grandparents are the late Wilton and Elvidge Naquin Lasseigne Sr.

DEATH
     Our sympathies to the family and many friends of Russell Joseph Dominique Sr. He was the owner and salesman of Dominique’s Clothing Store in Larose, LA. Survivors include his wife, Linda Doucet Dominique, two sons, Russell J. Dominique Jr. and Tyrone P. Dominique Sr.; a sister, Ruth Biretta; four grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

NATIONAL CRISIS
     At the time I am writing this, President George W. Bush has just completed a momentous talk to the joint session of Congress. I hope that most of our members were able to hear his words. They will mean more and more as time goes on. You may have missed his plea for financial support for the recovery efforts that are still going on, and probably will be going on a year from now. He recommended a web site which will help you to find a place for your donation. It was http://libertyunites.org/ and it has links to many other web pages such as the American Red Cross, Survivors Fund of the National Capital Region, September 11 Fund, WTC Police Disaster Relief, and the IAFF (Firefighters) Widows and Orphans. Please visit the site. It is called “American Liberty Partnership” and all the causes are worthy of your consideration for support.

BOOKS
     We know that many genealogists are helped by our publications. That’s what keeps us going. But it is nice to hear about a particular case. Nancy L. Wright, our treasurer, received an email the other day which she wanted to mention here. It was from Roblyn Smith and I quote “I received my 1900 Lafourche Parish census publication and after looking at all of my known surnames, for some reason, turned to the very first page and started looking at the names and found a family with 3 daughters whose names matched my maternal Grandmother and her sisters. My Mom never knew her Grandmother’s [sic] name and I think I found her! I have more digging to do on this family, but I’m sure it must be my Grandmother, her sisters, Mother and Stepfather. I can hardly wait to get to Thibodaux myself to do some research. Thanks again for all of your help. I really appreciate you recognizing my family surnames and sharing the info you find.” We hope you see the moral of this story. Don’t just toss our publications aside when you have finished looking up all your known relatives. Do a little “browsing.” You never know.
     Remember the “Clearance Sale” we had this past summer? Judging from the response, many of you must, because you took advantage of it. Well, we hope to give more of our members a chance to save some money. If you joined our organization in the nineties, you probably have some or all of the quarterlies from Volume 9 (1990) to the present Volume 20 (2001) but if you do have some missing, you will be interested to know that  Volumes 9 through 15 are going on sale. These are the bound (soft covers) copies of all four issues in one volume for each year. Our 20-year index is coming out next year in digital form, and the surname indexes of these volumes will be searchable with your computer. No more looking in the back of each issue for your surnames of interest. Sale price is $20 each, and this price will be good through December 31, 2001 or until we are all sold out, whichever is sooner. Remember, that’s only the years 1990 through 1996 (Volumes 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15).
     Also on sale is the hard cover edition of the Completely Annotated 1840 Census of Terrebonne Parish for $10. It’s not a big book because the population of the parish was rather limited, but each name is an important one. And the annotations are valuable for background and leads. This sale ends 8 December 2001.
     Our South Louisiana Vital Records series is up to #9, 1930-1932, watch for its publication soon. The first one, 1902-1905, is due to be revised and annotated. Just a few copies will be printed so if you are interested, let our Corresponding Secretary, Jess Bergeron, know by mail or phone. This is not a sale item.

ELECTIONS
     After the events of September 11, we are more than ever conscious of our freedoms. We strive once more not to take them for granted. One of those liberties is the right to elect our officers. Our small genealogy society is a microcosm of the larger rights and privileges we enjoy in our nation, and are denied in other countries. What I am leading up to, folks, is that we have to have elections in a few months, so it is time to call for volunteers to serve on the Election Committee. Please consider helping out in that small way. If you attend a few meetings you know who is active and who just sits back and lets others do everything. We need someone like you. Our organization is headed toward the completion of twenty years of vital life. Please don’t let it die a slow death. Get involved. It doesn’t hurt. It may be good for you. Activity keeps you young. It is a proven fact. Learning a new thing a day keeps Alzheimer’s away. Once more “Try it, you might like it.”

HEARING
     Another thing we take for granted is our hearing. How much of what we learn comes through hearing. Do you have any idea what it would be like to lose that sense? I received an email message from Kelly Rose, a research audiologist working with the Kresge Hearing Research Lab at LSU’s Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. She is currently working on a study of hereditary hearing loss, and is interested in contacting persons of Acadian ancestry with normal hearing. She will match these “control subjects” with her experimental subjects for age, race, and gender to get pairs as genetically similar as possible.
     The term “normal hearing” means that a person should have good hearing (it will be tested) and he or she has no history of prolonged noise exposure, no chronic middle ear problems, or family members with hearing loss from birth or hearing loss caused by disease. Hearing loss from aging is OK.
     They usually test in New Orleans, but if several people could be tested at one time, they would travel to another town. Volunteers will be compensated for their time. The whole testing takes about three or three and one-half hours. No needles. If you are interested, contact Kelly by phone (504) 568-4785 or email Krose@LSUHSC.EDU. Mailing address is Kelly Rose, MA, CF/A, LSU Health Sciences Center, Kresge Hearing Research Lab, 533 Bolivar Street, 5th Floor, New Orleans, LA 70112.

GENTECH 2002
     It is said to be THE conference for technology and genealogy. In the past ten years GENTECH has gained a reputation as a major national genealogy conference. It will be held in Boston, MA, 25-26 January 2002, with Librarians’ Day on 24 January. Friday evening the Special Guest will be George Plimpton, author, editor of the Paris Review, a Mayflower descendant, and raconteur. His entertaining style and unique life experiences will come together for a lively after-dinner chat. Doesn’t it sound great? For more information, go to www.gentech.org/2002 or request a copy of the activities by writing to GENTECH2002, c/o NEHGS, 101 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116-3007, and don’t put it off. If you have registration questions or special requirements, email registrar02@gentech.org
 

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