NEXT MEETING Saturday, September 28
North Branch Library, Gray, LA 1:00 p.m.
PLEASE, PLEASE HELP!!!
We’ll be collating the new Fall Quarterly (Yes, the Fall
Quarterly) on Thursday, September 26, 2002, at High Noon in the meeting
room at the North Branch of Terrebonne Parish Library in Gray, Louisiana.
Don’t forget, now. Mark your calendar!You should have been at the August |
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PLEASE, PLEASE HELP!!!
We’ll be collating the new Fall Quarterly (Yes,
the Fall Quarterly) on Thursday, September 26, 2002, at High Noon in the
meeting room at the North Branch of Terrebonne Parish Library in Gray,
Louisiana. Don’t forget, now.
Mark your calendar!
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meeting and seen the look on Audrey Westerman’s face! Our President, Phil
Chauvin, started off by reading the thank you note we received from Goldie
Legendre for the award she received from the society. Then he described
how surprised Goldie was when she received that honor at the Lafourche
Heritage Society Seminar last month. Audrey presented Goldie with a new
book she (Audrey) had printed, titled Assumption Pioneer Newspaper
Deaths, Weddings, Births 1850 - 1912. This is a book of abstracts from
the French and English editions on microfilm of the Assumption Pioneer
newspaper, published in Napoleonville (Assumption Parish). Goldie had abstracted
these and published them in various issues of our own Terrebonne Life Lines
over the last 20 years. Goldie hadn’t known that the society planned to
compile all her articles into a book, so she was very surprised, to say
the least. So, now, to get back to the August meeting; Phil began by telling
the members about the scene above and then segued into some of Audrey’s
accomplishments and hard work, not dwelling too long on the problems she
has been having lately with her printer. So I don’t believe she was exactly
prepared for the motion from the floor to recognize her in some small way
for the work she has done for the society, above and beyond the call of
duty, so to speak. We had prepared just such a certificate ahead of time
and framed it for the meeting, so when the motion was seconded and properly
voted on, it was ready to present. It was a certificate for a Lifetime
Membership in the society. Audrey was speechless -- almost. She gave us
a warm “Thank You” speech.
DEATHS
Our heartfelt sympathy goes to member Judith Rhodes
Fanguy, who lost her father on Monday 24 June 2002. Allie Victor Rhodes,
90, a native and resident of Houma is survived by another daughter, Christine
Rhodes of Houma; two grandchildren, Michelle Walker of Concord, N.H., and
David Fanguy of Houma; and one great-grandchild, Cameron Fanguy. He was
preceded in death by his wife, Bessie Crochet Rhodes; his parents, Frank
Victor Rhodes and Selma Guidry Rhodes; six brothers: Stewart, Reynold,
Nolan, Lanny, Alvin and Raymond Rhodes; and two sisters: Effie R. Hebert
and Priscilla R. Hebert. He was a retired carpenter and was a member of
the Firehouse Squares, the Knight Twirlers and the Knights of Columbus
Council No. 1317. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, and a parishioner
of St. Francis de Sales Cathedral Parish.
We were saddened to hear that member Norris J. Dupré
lost his beloved wife, Billye Louise Morgan Dupré, on Friday 6 September
2002. Besides Norris, survivors include three children: Judy C. Dupré
Pecoraro, James T. Dupré and René A. Dupré; and numerous
grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the
missionary fund named for her: Puertas Abiertas (Open Doors), c/o Billye
Louise Morgan Dupré, P.O. Box 290790, Davie, FL 33329.
Again, we must apologize for failing to be timely
in the recognition of a death in the family of a member of our society.
We try to be aware of the deaths as they occur, but, being human, fail
to read every line of each of the obituaries in the local newspapers, and
sometimes fail to connect a name given as a survivor with the name of a
member of our society. Please forgive us if this happens to you. I realize
that when one loses a loved one, it is not always easy to immediately notify
everyone that needs to be notified. But if a certain length of time passes
and you fail to see the name of your loved one in this space, please drop
us a line, by email or snail mail. Or, if you or a friend were to attend
a T.G.S. meeting and think about it, please let one of the officers know
(making sure that the officer makes a written note with the person’s name,
date of death, and society member’s name and relationship with the deceased).
Local deaths are reported by the Houma Courier online, so we are able to
find an obituary in the archives but if your bereavement is reported in
an out-of-town newspaper, please notify us and we will be honored to mention
your loss for the information of your fellow members of the society.
FEATURED SPEAKER
We are happy to announce the appearance of Karen
Hart, Southdown Museum Director, as our guest speaker at the general meeting
on 28 September 2002. Everyone in the area is preparing for the upcoming
celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase in 2003,
so Karen will bring us up to date on plans for that year. We are all looking
forward to hearing what she has to tell us.
THANKS
The Board of Terrebonne Genealogical Society wishes
to extend our thanks to everyone who contributed to our Fall quarterly
with articles and queries. The response was so overwhelming that Audrey
expressed her happiness that she even had an excess to start off the Winter
quarterly. Great job, folks. That’s one of the reasons why we are having
two collating parties in a row.
For putting together the Summer quarterly, we have
to thank Beverly Alford, Jess and Dorothy Bergeron, Essie and Marcie Cavalier,
Phil and Jane Chauvin, Cecil Eschete, Ed Henry, Don Hill, Dot Smith, Marilyn
Sonnier and Nancy Wright. They efficiently worked for about an hour and
a half and got the quarterly out in almost record time on 27 August 2002.
NORTH BRANCH LIBRARY
Patty W. Gravois has indexed her book of Wedding
Invitations, and this index will be published in the Winter Quarterly.
The book, itself, is at the North Branch Library.
October is Family History Month in the Library,
so be on the lookout for a series of Beginners’ Workshops to be held on
each Tuesday morning in October. These will not be for more “experienced”
genealogists, but for beginners, so spread the word among your friends.
They will be small group workshops so that more one-on-one help can be
given. If you would like to help, contact Diana Coupel in the library,
or contact Nancy Wright or Patty W. Gravois through the society’s address.
BOOKS
Be sure to get your copy of the new Comet Microfilm
Index - Deaths, Weddings, Births 1938 - 1949. Abstracts in this book were
taken by Phil Chauvin from microfilm purchased by our society and now housed
in the North Branch of Terrebonne Parish Public Library, Gray, LA. The
dates and information include (if given) names of parents and spouse and
are a guide to obtaining copies of birth and death certificates from the
LA Dept. Of Vital Records or from the local court house. This index saves
you many hours of searching, and could be invaluable if you have family
living in Lafourche Parish during the range of years covered. Published
only in soft cover, the price is $30.00 plus $3 postage.
“Goldie’s book” mentioned on page 1 is of interest
to those of you with Assumption Parish ties. Covering the time span from
1850 - 1912, it is fascinating just to browse, if you are interested in
the culture during those years. Some of those death notices are very
informative. The title, again, is Assumption Pioneer Newspaper Deaths,
Weddings, Births 1850 - 1912, and is available in soft cover, only, for
$35.00 plus $3 postage. (If you are getting both books, or more than one
copy, the postage is $3 for the first book and $1 for each additional book.)
The St. Philomena church and cemetery book is coming
out for pre-publication soon, so stay tuned, as they say.
Just in time for Christmas giving, our popular Generations
... Past to Present is going on sale for $35.00. This is a bargain, folks,
so put it on your wish list for your brothers, sisters, parents or children
to get you for Christmas, or order a few copies for some special “someones”
on your list. Speaking of gifts, we are offering a set of books that would
make a real special gift. Three of the Comet Microfilm Index books can
be purchased as a set for only $60.00 for the set of three books. What
a deal! The books cover the years 1912 - 1924, 1926 - 1937, and 1938 -
1949.
MYSTERY PLANTATION
Audrey Westerman is trying to find out the name
of the plantation (or the name of the owners) that was immediately below
Dupeire’s Dairy and above Stella Plantation at Donaldsonville on the river
road about one mile below the church. Audrey has heard that they grew rice,
and reports that it was called Simoneaux Plantation. Can anyone confirm
these facts? Do you remember the old plantation house there, or perhaps
have a picture of the house? If you can help, please contact Audrey by
phone (985) 633-2367, by email at <awesterman@
mobiletel.com> Her address is 1025 Hwy 304, Thibodaux, LA 70301-7332.
Thanks for your interest.
GENEALOGY COURSE
Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, is offering
a special course called Researching French Ancestors in the United States,
Canada, the Caribbean and France. It will be held next summer, from 8 -
13 June 2003 at the university in Birmingham. They promise you will learn
more about:
- Immigration, migration and settlement patterns of French ancestors
in America
- distinctive types of records that document French ancestral
lines
- repositories where these records are found.
- research strategies that help genealogists locate and analyze
the records
If you have Internet access, you may find out more about the exciting
program by visiting <www.samford.edu/schools/ighr/ighr.html>
or you may wish to write for more information from Institute of Genealogy
and Historical Research, Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama 35229
(Ed: no mention is made of possible field trips.)(Darn!)
INTERNET SITES
Essie Cavalier recommends the web site for the “Canary
Islanders Heritage Society of Louisiana.” It can be found at <www.rootsweb.com/~lacihsl/>
If you have trouble accessing it, check your spelling. That last group
of letters is the abbreviation for the society: CIHSL, only in lower case.
Another site is the online boutique for The Acadian
Memorial Foundation, Inc. for some flags, pins and T-shirts. <www.acadianmemorial.org>
if you like, you can call (357)394-2258 and ask for a brochure. Show your
colors! |
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