LOUISIANA UPCOMING EVENTS Saturday, May 19, 2001 <A HREF="http://usersa.usunwired.net/mmoore/lghs/sonsdau.htm">THE SONS & DAUGHTERS OF THE PROVINCE AND REPUBLIC OF WEST FLORIDA 1763 -- 1810 </A> P. O. Box 82672 Baton Rouge, LA., 70884-2672 The West Florida Society announces that its annual meeting this year will be held on Saturday, May 19, 2001 at the Oakley State Commemorataive Area park near St. Francisville, LA. The park is located between St. Francisville and Jackson on LA Hwy 965 which is between U.S. Hwy 61 and La Hwy 10. The public is invited to our buffet luncheon and the program to follow. Prior to lunch there will be a short discussion about our Society, and the program. Lunch will be served in the pavilion area from 11:30 to 12:30. The program will start at 1:00 p.m. and will feature the West Florida Volunteers who will demonstrate camp life, music, Louisiana vintage dancers, black powder demonstrations, blacksmithing, and other crafts contiguous to the time 200 years ago when West Florida was under French, English, then Spanish rule. To enjoy the buffet and program contact Mrs. Eleanor McVea, ph 225 - 658-4636, or Mr. Will Joffrion, ph 225 - 387-4060 for details on costs and making reservations. The West Florida Society is a genealogy group with ancestors in West Florida going back to the period prior to 1810 when there was an uprising against Spain and the area became a separate republic for a short period of time. After a few months the republic or province of West Florida joined the United States. The Society is interested in promoting the history, culture, and tradition of this important area that contributed to the rich heritage of those states comprising West Florida. Our goal is to publicize this period in our history and acquaint the public with our organization, and offer membership to those interested in joining our Society. The Sons & Daughters of the Province and Republic of West Florida 1763 - 1810 Organized 1991 - Jackson, Louisiana The objectives and purpose of this organization is to perpetuate the memory of the character, deeds and heroism of the inhabitants of The Province & Republic of West Florida prior to December 07, 1810; to collect and preserve records, documents and relics pertaining to the history and genealogy of West Florida prior to December 07, 1810; to bring into association descendents of the Republic of West Florida; to inculcate patriotism, and to enjoy in other educational, historical, genealogical, patriotic, literary and social activities. Who is Eligible for membership? Membership is open to men and women 18 years or older, who can prove lineal descent from as ancestor residing between 1763 and December 07, 1810, on land in that part of the Province of West Florida, as it was governed by both England and Spain, south of the 31ST parallel, east of the Mississippi River, north of the Gulf of Mexico, Lake Maurepas, and west of the Apalachacola River. Also eligible are lineal descendants of ancestors who settled east of the Mississippi River as far north of the 31ST parallel as the mouth of the Yazoo River (above present-day Vicksburg, Mississippi) and south of a line running due east from the mouth of the Yazoo across the state of Alabama south of the present day Demopolis to a point on the west bank of the Chattahoochee River near present-day Columbus, Georgia, and west of the Chattahoochee River, between 1763 and March 30, 1798. What are the membership dues? The initiation fee is $15.00. Yearly dues are $10.00. Life membership is $100.00 plus $15.00 initiation fee. Supplement lines may be added for $5.00 each. The annual assembly of all members of the society is generally held in the month of May in Louisiana (usually the third Saturday of May) Historical tours of the vicinity will be planned if possible. A noon luncheon will also be planned. The tour and luncheon will be "Dutch Treat". Print, complete and mail to this <A HREF="http://usersa.usunwired.net/mmoore/lghs/sodaform.htm">form</A> if interested in becoming a member.