CAJUNS, CREOLES, PIRATES AND PLANTERS

Your New Louisiana Ancestors Format

Volume 2, Number 19

By Damon Veach

AWARD PRESENTED: Rose Marie Powell presented John Hickey a certificate of appreciation from the Canary Islanders Heritage Society for his research on the Louisiana Spanish Militia and their contribution to the American Revolution (1779-1781).  Hickey reported his findings to the July 2010 meeting of the society.

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CONFERENCE NOTE: FamilySearch is hosting a free breakfast for genealogy media/bloggers at the 2010 Federation of Genealogical Societies annual conference in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you will be attending FGS and can join in this, they would be happy to treat you to breakfast and a FamilySearch update. During the breakfast, FamilySearch staff will briefly note announcements that will be made during the FGS Conference for your benefit and product plans through the end of the year. The breakfast meeting will end at 7:45 a.m.—in plenty of time to attend the opening session of FGS at 8 a.m.  An RSVP is needed.

Here are the complete details:  FamilySearch/FGS Genealogy Media/Blogger Breakfast, Knoxville Convention Center, Rotunda Room, Thursday, August 19, 2010, 7:00 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.  This notice has been passed on by Paul Nauta, FamilySearch Public Affairs Manager, 801-240-6498.

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SPEAKER SCHEDULED: Ann Dubuisson is scheduled to speak at the meeting of the Imperial St. Landry Genealogical and Historical Society in Opelousas on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 10 a.m.  The subject will center on her book called Dupre, Terrebonne, Fontenot, Garland, Stagg & Dubuisson. The meeting will take place at the Opelousas General Hospital Community Room.

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CANARY ISLANDER:  Stephen Estopinal of Gonzales Louisiana is pictured at a recent book signing for his new novel "El Tigre de Nueva Orleans." The event was a great success with over 40 books signed.

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MEETING SCHEDULES:  The Vicksburg Genealogical Society is in the process of getting the latest issue of “Mississippi River Routes” ready for delivery in August.  Dues in this society are only $25 per year and need to be brought up to date before the issue can be mailed out to you.  The address is P.O. Box 1161, Vicksburg, MS 39181-1161.  Bobbie Beyers Edwards is the treasurer.

Here is their calendar for meetings for the 2010-2011 year:  September 13, John Hesselbert, Revolutionary War in Mississippi; October 12, Sister Paulinus Oakes, Sisters of Mercy; November 8, Bobbie Beyers Edwards, Stand Watie and the Cherokee Nation; December 13, Dr. Richard Taylor, Star Spangled Banner; January 10, Dr. Mary Collins Landin and others, Show and Tell; February 14, Dr. Douglas Richardson, Medical Genealogy; March 14, Dr. Mary Collins Landin, solving “brick walls” through online genealogy; April 11, Mary Louise Nosser, Lebanese families in Vicksburg; and May 9, James Earl (Sam) Price, Bobb family in Vicksburg, 1825-1901.  Be sure to check on whether these are day or night meetings.  Day meetings are at the public library at 10 a.m., and the evening meetings are at 6 p.m. at Shoney’s.

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DE VILLE BOOK: English Land Grants in West Florida is a register for the states of Alabama, Mississippi, and parts of Florida and Louisiana for the years 1766-1776.  After the French and Indian War (1754-1763), England acquired what came to be called “The Two Floridas.”  West Florida was a vast region that stretched from close by Pensacola to the Mississippi River. 

This book provides data for genealogists and historians on the earliest land grants from the king of England to individuals who were to become the patriarchs of well-known first families throughout the Deep South.  Over 400 names appear in the index.  Since its publication in 1986, this book has served as a standard reference to one of the National Archives’ primary sources for early Anglo-American family history.  The register of grants is a tool for locating ancestors lost in the Latin South.

This one is a soft-cover volume and is priced at $23.50.  It is available from Claitor’s Publishing.

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FREE SERVICE:  Correspondence to this column should be directed to Damon Veach, Cajuns, Creoles, Pirates and Planters, 709 Bungalow Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70802-5337.  The e-mail address is ancestorslaveach@cox.net.  Queries and book reviews are printed as space permits, and you are encouraged to take advantage of this free service.  Claitor’s Publishing can serve as a distributor for self-published genealogy titles.  Go to their homepage for details on how you can obtain this excellent service.