I was sent in search of my family history, prodded by a friend who is fascinated by his family tree. Even going so far as to take a DNA test to prove he can trace his family line all the way back to England. He can. I thought this was cool, if a bit over the top, but that's just me. This is from his blog:“I’m the eldest of the three sons of Isaac who was the fifth of eleven sons of Fieldon Jacob. A ninth generation American whose 7 times great grandfather Jonathan emigrated from Port Royale, Jamaica to Baltimore County, Maryland in 1692. Jonathan was born in 1639 in Shropshire, England and died January 21, 1757 in Baltimore County, Maryland.”
So being a klutz, and not knowing what I was doing, I managed to trace the (father's) line back to 1573 to Notre Dame de Cogne, Hors les Murs, La Rochelle, Aunis, France , to Paris, on to Canada, then down the Mississippi to Bordelonville, Avoyelles, Louisiana and finally to New Orleans...
I ran a search for La Rochelle, France, which, as it turns out, is a beautiful, ancient seaside city on the Bay of Biscay. Cardinal Richelieu was there for the siege of La Rochelle in 1372 during the 100 years war. More on that another time.
The spelling of the original family name was altered Canada. Eric Michael was the son of Albert & Delia. He was born in 1913. He had three siblings; Curry Sr,. Ethel, and Irma. (Funny that he also married an Irma; my mother.). I haven’t been back to Europe in a while, but I’d love to visit La Rochelle some day. I find this really interesting.
I’ve been in touch via email with Jerry (the genealogy expert for the family) who is responsible for the incredible family tree and who confirmed that we are cousins. It appears that our original ancestor is one CLEMENT.
Here’s the basic outline of the family tree from my father’s side.
Clement
Born (approx) 1573 Notre Dame de Cogne, Hors les Murs, La Rochelle, Aunis, France.
(it would be enlightening to know more about why the family left France)
Jean Baptiste
Altered the surname to current spelling in 1672 in Champlain, Quebec, Canada
Claude "La Tulippe"
Registered by the Spanish Census 1760 in Pointe Coupee Parish, Louisiana
Augustin
Born in 1797 in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana
Severin
Born 1838in Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana
Prudent “Bud”
Born in 1864 Bordelonville, Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana
Albert (grandfather)
Born in 1892 in Bordelonville, Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana
Eric Michael (father)
Born in 1913 in Bordelonville, Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana
Moved to New Orleans in 1934
Married my mother in 1939 in New Orleans
And, as they say, the rest is history.
And so it goes.
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Very cool! Why don't you put the picture of your castles on your logo? That would really be very cool.
ReplyDeleteHave you gone to Ancestry.com to check other researchers in your family line? Also check the website of the Church of Latter Day Saints. They also have much information on most family lines. They should have a lot on your family line.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, you're doing very good on your family research. Remember, it is easier to research the paternal side of your family tree. First start with the basic (father, grandfather, great grandfather.) Chances are, once you get back that far, there are other family members who have already done the research on their immediate family members who will tie in with your great grandfather. Then you just build on that. It is fascinating and interesting. A warning, it will take a lot of time but it is well worth it. You will not regret the time and effort that you have spent on researching your family and,thus learning more about yourself. What is really a treat is when old picture show up. Wait until you see the first picture of your great grandfather as I did for the first time a few years ago. I hear there is a picture of my great-great grandmother (Martha "Patty" Bailey, wife of John Tipton). I'm still after that one. She was a Civil War widow (I have copies of the her widow's application for pension benefits of her husband, my great great grandfather who was killed during the Civil War (Union sympathizer in the South - North Carolina - executed by Civil War Colonel Wichter. - a contemporary of Anderson Cooper's - yes, he of CNN - great-great grandfather!
ReplyDeleteI love this stuff!
ReplyDeleteOnce you are bitten by the genealogy bug it's like having herpes. The symptoms may go away for a while, but you always have the disease. Every once in awhile the disease comes back with a vengeance! ;)