Cajuns society outstanding

Another outstanding group of Louisiana researchers are members of La Societe des Cajuns. Their publication is Les Memoirs du Bayou Lafourche, and it continues to be an excellent one.  Their web site is maintained by Brian Oster (who lives in Tampa, Fla.), and this is one that you need to visit soon. It has a computer master's touch that makes it very good. Visit it at La Societe. The last issue of 2004 contained much info on the Guidry/Guedry lineage, a continuation of data on the George Schweitzer and Marie Ursule/Ursala family, and the 1930 census of the Tenth Ward of Lafourche Parish. Also included is an interesting article on trawling, a livelihood for many settlers over the years.

Membership in this group is $15 per year, and regular meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Galliano Branch Library. Back issues of the quarterly are still available.

For more information on this, contact the secretary/treasurer Mrs. Wildred Ougel at P.O. Box 433, Larose, LA 70373 or the president Velton P. Guidry, 125 W. 158th St., Galliano, LA 70354. Guidry can also be reached at velton@mobiletel.com.

November 9, 2003

Les Memoires du Bayou Lafourche arrived recently, and it always amazes me at how much information this publication provides. There's more than genealogy, and learning about a region can enhance and explain some of a given family's heritage. A great example of this is Velton Paul Guidry's take on trapping muskrats. It gives the reader an insider's look at the upcoming winter season.

This issue also features information on Pierre Thibodeau, and it is said that if your surname is Thibodeau, no matter how you spell it, you are probably a descendant of this man. Pierre was born in 1631 in Poitou, a province of France. The exact location has not been determined. His story leads from there to Acadia.

Also in this issue is the continuation of the information on the descendants of George Schweitzer and his wife Marie.

The thorough documentation here is excellent. Another feature is the Eymard tombstone inscriptions in St. Joseph Church Cemetery. This is followed by a continuation of the 1920 census for this area of the state.

This publication comes from La Societe des Cajuns, P. O. Box 433, Larose, La.   70373.  The main goals of the society are to preserve Cajun history, genealogy, language and culture. They compile and publish records of genealogical or historical interest, with emphasis given to the records of Lafourche Parish and surrounding parishes.

The membership year begins in January and extends through the end of the year. Annual dues, including the publication, are $15 and are payable as of January 1 of the new membership year. Queries are printed free for members and used as space is available. Regular meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Galliano Branch Library, Galliano. Back issues of the publication are still available.

You can learn more about this society by going to http://www.vienici.com/lasociete, a fantastic Web site that's a credit to the expertise of Brian Oster of Tampa, Fla.

July 20, 2003

The latest issue of Les Memories du Bayou Lafourche from La Societe des Cajuns is another winner.  It’s one of the most interesting so far, filled with helpful information for researchers and for those people just interested in reading about the history of this part d the country.

This quarterly publication is released in March, June, September and December, and back issues are available dating to 1980.  Dues to the society are $15 per year and include Les Memoires du Bayou Lafourche. .The address for the society 116 Camley Lane, Golden Meadow, LA 70357-2401^*.

Extracted from the New Orleans Time Picayune of Sunday, July 20, 2003