What are the letters or name at the end of my ancestors names. Everyone has the Gonzales name but when I get to these ancestors they have another name or letters. I do not know what is it or what does it mean. I am hoping someone outthere will know. Domingo Gonzales CAYO born abt. 1731 died abt. 1756 Domingo's Son: Joseph Papa Ramos Gonzales CAVO born 1757 died 24 Sept. 1799

Kim, I have a book called the Cemeteries of E. Ascension Parish. They are not listed overtly in this book. I will keep an eye peeled as I continue my research. Heidi

Hi, I'm looking for information about Joseph BLADES and Mary BARROW. I do not know anything about their birth dates/locations or parents. This couple was married sometime around or before 1820. They had three children that I know of: Benjamin Blades, b: 1822-1825; Joseph Abner Blades, b: about 1824; and Letitia Susan Blades, b: about 1827. This family appears in the 1830 census for Ascension Parish, LA. The father Joseph Blades dies about 1830-1831. I have not been able to find his burial location nor what happened to his widow Mary. Any help with this family would be greatly appreciated. Kim Owen Chance kimchance@home.com http://members.home.net/chanceintx Arlington, Texas

Hello, I am hoping someone out there might be able to help me! I am seeking any info on MARIE FABIEN who was in Ascension Parish in the mid-1800's having children with MARTIN CANNON. There children were: Andrew J. and George (twins born 1855) and Julia (1859). My questions: Were these the only children (these are listed in the Baton Rouge Diocese records)? Was this MARTIN CANNON actually MARTIN ANSIL CANNON SR? Who were MARIE FABIEN'S parents and from which parish did she come? Is there a record in a neighboring diocese for her marriage to M. CANNON? If so, who were the parents of the bride and groom?(Their marriage is not in the Baton Rouge Diocese records.) Any help on this would be greatly appreciated. Heidi in Pittsburgh, PA

I'm so excited! A fellow researcher (thanks Sylvia!!!) found a 32 page article on the Morin family in the LA Historical Quarterly, volume 28, starting with page 651. Does anyone know where I can get a back copy of this Quarterly????? Thanks!! Debbie

I have found something else also with regard to births/baptisms pre-dating marriages in the church. I wondered if it was because prior to the beginning of the 1800's other religious denominations were not recognized. The Catholics controlled the politics of the territory/area when it was Spanish and when it was French, attempting to make it a Catholic State. Other groups suffered as a result, for instance, Jews and Protestants were expelled from New Orleans (1769 under the Black Code, by O'Reilly).(Tallant, p. 78-79) But with regard to marriages, prior to 1803 (Louisiana Purchase), they were not considered legal if they did not take place in the Catholic church (DeVille quoted in Eicholz, p. 270, see direct quote below). This might explain, also, some of the odd sequencing of events. I don't know details on how the legality of the marriage (in church vs. not in church) may have affected other items, such as inheritances and legal rights of spouses, etc.,...But this may account for people getting married after getting a family well under way. Heidi in Pittsburgh, PA (see sources below) Quote from DeVille: As previously stated, the Roman Catholic church was the only church in Louisiana until the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. Historian James D. Hardy, Jr. wrote that colonial Louisianians had to "be baptized, married and have their children baptized and be buried as Catholics. A marriage performed anywhere but a Catholic Church was invalid, and the parties were living in sin. Their children were illegitimate...and their marriage contracts were unenforceable at law. Babies not given baptism were not people, and their births were unrecorded." {The name of Hardy's publication is not referenced]. Sources: Tallant, Robert. (Editor). (1952) New Orleans City Guide. Boston: Houghton-Mifflin Company. (originally published 1938 as a WPA project--guide and history of the city) DeVille, Winston. (1968). Gulf Coast Colonials. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. Quoted in: Eicholz, Alice. (Editor). A(1992) Ancestry's Redbook: American State, County and Town Sources. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, Inc. Eicholz, Alice. (Editor). A(1992) Ancestry's Redbook: American State, County and Town Sources. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, Inc. James D. Hardy, Jr. quoted, but not referenced in DeVille and Eicholz.

Sorry guys! I keep forgetting French Settlement isn't even in Ascension Parish...will try to remember to post to the right list next time! Debbie debbie wrote: > Does anyone know if the French Settlment Historical Society has an > online web site? I am interested in back copies of the their > publications. They have a listing in Volume 4, December of 1979 which > listed the marriages at St. Joseph Church from 1874-1900. I am > interested in marriages prior to that, from about 1867. > > Also, they did a listing in Volume 3, December 1978, of St. Joseph > Church Burials from 1857 to 1900. I am interested in burials from 1901. > > Can anyone tell me if they compiled any of this information? > > Still hunting for my elusive Louveaus.... > > Thanks!!! > > Debbie

Does anyone know if the French Settlment Historical Society has an online web site? I am interested in back copies of the their publications. They have a listing in Volume 4, December of 1979 which listed the marriages at St. Joseph Church from 1874-1900. I am interested in marriages prior to that, from about 1867. Also, they did a listing in Volume 3, December 1978, of St. Joseph Church Burials from 1857 to 1900. I am interested in burials from 1901. Can anyone tell me if they compiled any of this information? Still hunting for my elusive Louveaus.... Thanks!!! Debbie

Rita and all, Much the same happened with my German descendents (well, my secret is out...I'm not French at all...my fiance is the Frenchman in this house!) Anyways, in the early days there seems to have been a shortage of priests (pastors) just about everywhere in the US. What seemed so odd about this case is that he had 9 children before marriage, and with pregnancy time, we are talking about almost 12 years from the conception of the first child until the time they married. And one child was already 9 years old when he was finally baptized. That's what made me so curious about this. The children were all baptized in the church, so apparently whatever happened, the church recognized their ligitimacy (sp). So it really doesn't matter in the long run...but I had to wonder what happened in this case... Anyways, thanks all for the info! I especially found the "jumping the broom" custom fascinating! Debbie Rita Mcpherson wrote: > Debbie, > I don't have alot of knowledge about this, but here is some of what I've > picked up and or figured out. This will be general info since I don't know > all the circumstances. Hopefully someone will be able to give us both more > info. > > It was not uncommon for couples to "jump the broom" when living in isolated > areas. This was a recoginized practice and was done in the presence of > friends and neighbors. Sometimes a priest was only in the village once a > year or less. There may be a civil marriage that has not been located. The > church service was sometimes viewed as a formality. > > It was also common for several family members to be baptised at the same > time... for the same reason. Or that Baptism and First Communion be > administered at the same time. > > Many girls were married and/or mothers in their early teens; by 20, you > might be considered an 'old maid', 'long in the tooth'. My father was 38 > when he married my mother; she was 17. He used to kid her that when she was > ready to turn out to pasture', her baby sister (born 5 months after they > married) would be ready to take her place. And this train of thought was as > recent as the 1940s. > > I'm sure this doesn't give you any solid answers; maybe it will give some > possibilites. > Good luck in your search! > > Rita McP > ritamcp1@bellsouth.net > > debbie wrote: > > > Question for you all....how are illigitmate births shown in the Baton > > Rouge Sacremental records or are they indicated at all? > > > > I have a man and woman who had 9, yes count them 9, children before they > > were married! The first four were all baptized together on one date > > (some almost 4 years old at the time, in 1829) Then in 1839, then next > > 5 were baptized, about 3 weeks prior to the marriage of the father and > > mother! > > > > (He was also previously married to a minor (about 15 years old) with > > which he had 2 children before he married her! She did die, as she is > > shown as deceased on her sons marriage record in 1825. Thought maybe he > > was still married to the first wife and couldn't marry the second for > > some reason until she divorced him(if this was even allowed) or the > > marriage was annulled or something.) > > > > I am just wondering at the late date of marriage....they are not closely > > related or anything, curious..... > > > > Thanks for any ideas on what may have happened here. I am not familiar > > enough with the customs of the times to hazard a real idea of what might > > have happened... > > > > Debbie

Also forgot to ask, one son of the man who had all the children before he married appears to have only been 13 at the time of the first marriage! He is not shown on the marriage record as a minor. When was the man considered an "adult?" Thanks again! Debbie

Question for you all....how are illigitmate births shown in the Baton Rouge Sacremental records or are they indicated at all? I have a man and woman who had 9, yes count them 9, children before they were married! The first four were all baptized together on one date (some almost 4 years old at the time, in 1829) Then in 1839, then next 5 were baptized, about 3 weeks prior to the marriage of the father and mother! (He was also previously married to a minor (about 15 years old) with which he had 2 children before he married her! She did die, as she is shown as deceased on her sons marriage record in 1825. Thought maybe he was still married to the first wife and couldn't marry the second for some reason until she divorced him(if this was even allowed) or the marriage was annulled or something.) I am just wondering at the late date of marriage....they are not closely related or anything, curious..... Thanks for any ideas on what may have happened here. I am not familiar enough with the customs of the times to hazard a real idea of what might have happened... Debbie

Debbie, I don't have alot of knowledge about this, but here is some of what I've picked up and or figured out. This will be general info since I don't know all the circumstances. Hopefully someone will be able to give us both more info. It was not uncommon for couples to "jump the broom" when living in isolated areas. This was a recoginized practice and was done in the presence of friends and neighbors. Sometimes a priest was only in the village once a year or less. There may be a civil marriage that has not been located. The church service was sometimes viewed as a formality. It was also common for several family members to be baptised at the same time... for the same reason. Or that Baptism and First Communion be administered at the same time. Many girls were married and/or mothers in their early teens; by 20, you might be considered an 'old maid', 'long in the tooth'. My father was 38 when he married my mother; she was 17. He used to kid her that when she was ready to turn out to pasture', her baby sister (born 5 months after they married) would be ready to take her place. And this train of thought was as recent as the 1940s. I'm sure this doesn't give you any solid answers; maybe it will give some possibilites. Good luck in your search! Rita McP ritamcp1@bellsouth.net debbie wrote: > Question for you all....how are illigitmate births shown in the Baton > Rouge Sacremental records or are they indicated at all? > > I have a man and woman who had 9, yes count them 9, children before they > were married! The first four were all baptized together on one date > (some almost 4 years old at the time, in 1829) Then in 1839, then next > 5 were baptized, about 3 weeks prior to the marriage of the father and > mother! > > (He was also previously married to a minor (about 15 years old) with > which he had 2 children before he married her! She did die, as she is > shown as deceased on her sons marriage record in 1825. Thought maybe he > was still married to the first wife and couldn't marry the second for > some reason until she divorced him(if this was even allowed) or the > marriage was annulled or something.) > > I am just wondering at the late date of marriage....they are not closely > related or anything, curious..... > > Thanks for any ideas on what may have happened here. I am not familiar > enough with the customs of the times to hazard a real idea of what might > have happened... > > Debbie

I am looking for infomation on Miquel Gonzales married to a Miss Geautreaux. They had three children Joseph, John Alfred and Mary. My Great Grandfather is John Alfred Gonzales. Joseph Gonzales was the first mayor of Gonzales, La.. I am looking for the parents of Miguel Gonzales and more information on him. I have most of the offspring of John Alfred Gonzales to the present day. Leonard Gonzales

Have you tried the Archdiocese of New Orleans? Many of the records from Catholic parishes throughout Louisana were sent there per the request of the Archdiocese. Here's the address: Archdiocese of New Orleans Archives 1100 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA 70116 It's been a few years since I've used it, but it should still be good. You may want to check the internet for New Orleans to verify the address. Hope this helps. Did you try the Archdiocese of BAton Rouge? I've been researching my Colomb/Bringier families in Ascension Parish on and off for years. They owned land and plantations near Burnside, LA. Maureen F

I am searching for information about a Metilda Camille Louveau whose father was Auguste Louveau and mother Irene Parent. Metilda Camille was born in July of 1851, I believe in Ascension Parish. She died about 1901 in French Settlement, but I cannot find any reference to her death in the French Settlement records I have access to, which includes the St. Joseph Church Cemetery reocords. I have also scoured the Diocese of Baton Rouge records, but have found no mention of the Louveau family. I finally found a reference to Irene Louveau nee Parent, widow of Auguste Louveau and Metilda Camille (who married Mathieu Morin) in the French Settlement church records from St. Joseph church (which should also be included in the Diocese of Baton Rouge records). This is the only reference to the Louveau's that I hve been able to find. Does anyone have any information on where this family might be from or where I might look from here? Thanks for any clues you might be able to give! Deb

I copied the civil records for the marriage of Joseph Tamberella to Mary Cannatella when I was visiting Donaldsonville, La. The court house said there were no records there for the births of their first 3 children Francesca, Antonio, and Francesco, born 1897 to about 1900 in Donaldsonville. I went to the Baton Rouge State Archives but they had no birth records for Ascension Parish during that early period. I also went to the New Orleans library where I was told by Ascension Parish Court personnel that the records were kept. No luck. Please help. Are there birth records for Ascension Parish from 1890 to 1900? If not, where would I locate baptismal records? Would I write to a specific church or to an archdiocese for records? What are the names of the Catholic Churches in the area? Thanks for the information. I am also researching Corona/Coronia's and Santangelo's of Donaldsonville. There was a large population of Italian immigrants living in the Donaldsonville area. They were plantation workers and farm laborers. Are there any records I could research or books about the plantations and workers during that time. Thanks for any information. PatDoyle@aol.com Pat D. Bedenbaugh 761 E. William David Pky. Metairie, La. 70005 504-836-6129

Hello! I am pretty new to research in the Louisiana area and could use some help tracking my Arceneaux line. I have searched the Diocese of Baton Rouge Sacremental records through 1876, which is the latest date I have access to. I cannot find any information for my Oscar Arceneaux's birth in those records.... Would someone with ascess to the later records be kind enough to look and see if there is a marriage for an Michel Oscar Arceneaux to a Marie Eulaili Lambert around the time period of 1881? I have a daughter born on 4 Mar, 1881, and that is the earliest birth I show for this family...the marriage may have occurred earlier then that.... I did find Michel Oscar on the 1882 census for the St. Joseph Church in French Settlement, and it shows him as 27 years old, giving me a birthdate for Oscar as 1855. However, on the 1900 Ascension parish census, he is listed as 40 years old, which would give a birthdate of 1860. Either way, I could not locate a birth record for Oscar in the Diocese records....I am hoping that if a marriage record can be located, I can get his parents names to work with on the earlier Diocese records and perhaps find out if he is under another name or something??? Thanks so much for any help anyone can give me! I'm at a loss as to where to go from here if he is not listed in the Diocese records.... Debbie

Dear Jim, You were asking about where to find a tract of land. Have you tried the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) site? I know that it used to be possible to search their database for land by surname, state and geographical region.Their website is: http://www-a.blm.gov/eso/ I know it is still possible to search at their site, but am not sure which path accesses that database. Does anyone else know? Heidi Streetman Ascension Parish surnames: Cannon, Melancon, Brashears, Devall

I am preparing an article listing some early residents of Ascension Parish. It would help me to know where in 1818 the following piece property was located: a tract of land on the left bank of the Mississippi bounded above by the land of Michel Lambremont and below by that of Michel Gaucuel or Garcuel. The tract was purchased by Jean Cassard. I believe it was near Donaldsonville. I would appreciate it very much if someone could either supply the information or direct me to where I might find it myself. Thank you, Jim McLoughlin, The Woodlads, Tx.