In reply to the Roussel questions: The Conrad book is available from Louisiana Catalog in Cut Off, La for about $20. They have a good selection of Louisiana Genealogy books. Their phone # is 1-800-375-4100. The order # on that book is 1389H. It has a lot of Roussel information, especially in the back section where family relationships are listed. Any local library should have a copy. Not many census records give more than the head of household name until you get to 1850. Church records are the best bet, but I don't see the Roussel name in the records from Destrehan. That's kind of strange. I only have the first volume of the Archdiocese of NO records, and it stops with 1750, so you may find some help in the second volume. Marriage and birth records usually give both parents' names. Here's a couple of records that may help. (You seem to have a lot of this information already.) Conrad, St. John Baptiste des Allemands, p. 40 #23, 1-21-1779 Marriage Contract. Mathias Rouselle, son of (Pierre) Denis Rouselle and Catherine Brou, promises to marry Marie Charlotte Haydel, daughter of Mathias Haydel and the late Magdelaine Ouvre (Oubre). Witnesses for Rouselle: his parents; Pierre and Thomas Becnel, his half-brothers. Witnesses for Marie Charlotte Haydel: her father; Christophe, Jean Jacques Haydel, her uncles. Witnessing the instrument: Noel Perret and Alexia Perret. p. 40 #6, 12-11-1780 Inventory of community property of the late (Pierre) Denis Roussel and his wife, Catherine Brou. Denis Rouselle (Roussel) died November 25, 1780, and left several minor children. Robin de Logny orders an inventory of community property. Inventory taken and appraisal made by Daniel Pain and Antoine Borne in the presence of Catherine Brou, Widow Roussel, Pierre and Antoine Becnel, her sons; Pierre Antoine Brou, her brother and Mathias Haydel. Partition, Jan.28, 1782. Pierre and Thomas Becnel, sons of Thomas Becnel pere and Catherine Brou, receive from their mother, in the presence of Robin de Logny, their share of their father's successions. Witnesses: Pierre Robin and Pierre LaBiche. Receipt, Jan. 31, 1782. Mathias Roussel declares to Robin de Logny, in the presence of Pierre Robin and Pierre LaBiche, that he has received from his mother the amount due him from the succession of his late father, Denis Roussel. pp. 275-6. ROUSSEL: Denis (bap. Peirre-Denis) (d. Nov.25, 1780) Husband of Catherine Brou Father of Mathias, Antoine, Christophe, Pierre, Georges and Marguerite Roussel. Step-sons Thomas and Pierre Becnel 1. Mathias married Marie-Charlotte Haydel (1779) 2. Pierre married Catherine Weber (1790) Their children Eulalie, Georges, Joseph (1804-1822), Virginie (1809-1822), Honore (b. 1798), and Louis Roussel. 3. Christophe married Perine Haydel 4. Georges married Charlotte-Adalaide Haydel 5. Marguerite married Jean-Baptiste Weber Their children: Jean, Noel, Eugend, Magdelaine, Emerante, and Desire Weber. 6. Antoine (marriage not given) There is a lot of information on the Becnel family. Thomas Becnel (pere) was the son of Guillaume Becnel and Elizabeth Lang, and was from London. He married Catherine Brou Apr 4, 1742. They had: Marguerite Elizabeth (1751), Thomas (1749), and Pierre Antoine (1745-1790). Thomas (fils) married Magdelaine Folse, Pierre married Magdelaine Haydel. Judy Cameron Lanclos Highland, CA ==== LASTJOHN Mailing List ====