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SELIMA JEANNE LEDET GALLIANO January 5, 1995

Selima was born February 9, 1895 in Larose, Louisiana, the daughter of Antoine Ledet and Angelina Gisclair. Her baptismal record, printed and completed in French, shows she was baptized by Adr. Köhness at Holy Rosary Church on March 20, 1895. Her godparents were Washington Smith and Ernestine(?) Gisclair.

She was the second of ten children. Her siblings were Sidonie Marie, Euphrosine ‘Frazie’, Raoul Joseph, Samson Pierre, Sisca Seritta, Volcar Jean, Duroc Ludger, Victorine Seraphine and Walter Antoine. Volcar Jean and Victorine Seraphine died young.

Selima was only 16 when she married Pierre Antoine Galliano, son of Ernest Antoine Galiano and Henriette Marceline Guidry of Galliano, on February 25, 1911, at Larose by Rev. Alex. Juillé at Holy Rosary Church in Larose. The certficate is signed by witnesses Jolisen (Jolisaint) Galiano (Pierre’s cousin), Wallace Smith and Eusebe Adam (Selima’s cousin-in-law).

She and Pierre had 12 children between 1912 and 1935 -- Rena Marie born March 1, 1912, Salvina Marie born December 27, 1913, Bud Paul born September 23, 1915, Angelina Josephine (named for her grandmother) born January 19, 1918, Smiley Joseph born November 21, 1920, Clarice Marie born January 31, 1922, Henrietta Marie (named for her grandmother) born January 23, 1924, Ernest Joseph (named for his grandfather) born February 23, 1926, Doris Mae born April 4, 1928, Joyce Ann born March 14, 1930, Nancy Rita born March 3, 1932, and Horace Jules born September 22, 1935.

The couple worked their farm near the Cheramie Cemetery raising corn, potatoes and field peas. Selima worked the fields most of the time along with several of the children. Other chores were like cooking and cleaning were divided up among the family.

She and her family shared caring for her father Antoine Ledet until his death in 1961. He was a paraplegic at the time of his passing. In later years, she suffered a great deal from arthritis. Though she understood English, she seldom spoke the language. Selima communicated in her native Cajun French dialect with everyone. She lived with her son Horace and his wife Daisy, helping them with their three children and the household duties.

Selima died January 27, 1977 in Galliano. She is buried in the Cheramie Cemetery in Galliano which is next to her home. Her passing was marked by the birth of her great grandson Steven Michael Caruso in New Orleans She was preceded in death by her husband Pierre Galliano, daughter Rena Galliano, and grandchildren Reed Galliano and Jeffrey Hemmings.