Sharon, This is interesting and very important information. However, Frank must have been talking about his great-grandfather, Thomas. His Grandfather was Francois Hoffpauir, born in about 1781 in the Opelousas Territory, Louisiana. Also fascinating is the story about going from Germany to France and marrying a French girl..... If we assume Frank was speaking about Thomas here, this sounds very plausible. If so, it "may" hint that Thomas had a previous wife. At least it gives us some more places to look for further information. I'm looking forward to hearing more from your Aunt Margie. Also, when you get a chance, ask her where and when she married. DULCICH6@aol.com wrote: > > Hello list, > I have recently had correspondence from my aunt Margie in Amite, LA > regarding her grandfather, Frank Hoffpauir. I had enquired of her whether or > not her grandfather's family did indeed speak French in the home as was > reported to me. Marjorie Mae Griffin Young is the youngest daughter of > Mineola Hoffpauir and Daniel Griffin. Mineola was the daughter of Frank and > Malissa Hoffpauir. She was acquainted with her grandfather. This is what she > says on the subject: "He spoke some broken German and French, but did not > know but a few phrases and introductory words - like "How are you?" Mother, > Aunt Ruth, Aunt Dolly and the others picked up on the "Cajun" dialect > some--but not in great detail. Grandpa seemed prouder of his German > connection - since his grandfather went from Germany to France, married > French girls and then to the US and South LA. " Later in her letter, she > tells me that her Aunt Ruth (whom she also calls 'mother' since Ruth raised > her after Mineola died) said the Hoffpauir name was spelled Hoffbauer in > Germany and the spelling was changed in France. She promises to send me > further information on the Hoffpauirs in Calcasieu Parish when her hand heals > and she can write easier. > > Best regards and Happy New Year to all, > Sharon Dulcich > > ==== HOFFPAUIR Mailing List ==== > Please remove as much of the Original Message as possible when replying > to a List Posting. Include only that part of the original message > important to your reply. -- Charlie Hoffpauir http://web.wt.net/~charlieh/