Volume 2014 Issue 3

 20 March 2014 Meeting

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The March meeting of the Lafayette Genealogical Society was held on March 20, 2014 in the Meeting Room of the South Regional Library, 1601 Johnston St. , Lafayette , LA at 6:00 P.M. The meeting was called to order by President Brenda Thibodeaux. There was a moment of silence to remember our U.S. servicemen. The Pledge of Allegience followed. Guests and members were welcomed. Guests included Darlene Bourque researching the Dahl and Bourque line. Shirley Thibodeaux LeBlanc, guest speaker, and her family, John Allen LeBlanc, Donna LeBlanc Ernest, and Jessica Earnst were recognized. Gayle Hebert is researching the Begnaud, Hebert , Champagne , Rousseau, Thibodeaux, and the Broussard lines among others.

The treasurer’s report was givn by Warren LeBlanc. As of February, there was $3688.08 in the treasury. Deposits of $180.00 in dues by 9 new members were noted. There are 14 unpaid members on the rolls noting that 2014 dues were overdue as of February 28th. The total amount in the treasury as of now is $3868.08. James Bourque moved to accept the treasurer’s report; Harold Prejean seconded the motion and it was approved.

James Bourque has received a Descendency Chart from Pete Lavergne and a Pedigree Chart from Michael Bork of Lowell , MA . He encouraged each member to do their “homework” for a submission in the annual Les Memoirs.

Brenda Fuselier gave a report on the LGS Survey being undertaken and encouraged all members to participate and submit their evaluations by March 31st.

Lona Bourque reported that the Hebert Family Association will have a gathering in Abbeville , LA on March 29th.

Kathy Pellerin spoke of pictures she received from Georgia of her grandparent and other ancestors. A lady in Georgia had purchased a photo album at an antique store, went through identifiable pictures, and located Kathy through Ancestry.com. They are communicating and Kathy will be getting more pictures; she has no idea how the pictures got to Georgia .

The guest speaker, Shirley Thibodeaux LeBlanc, was introduced. A gist of her presentation follows: She started her genealogy quest because her mother wanted to know where she “came from.” Shirley undertook researching the Thibodeaux line with the goal of completing a book before the 1999 Congres Mondial Acadien. She interviewed older people, covered courthouses, church records, and cemeteries, visited libraries, attended reunions, etc. All information was important and documentation was valuable. Her mother was a Bond and she researched that maternal side of her family as well. Shirley’s presentation, particularly of her mother’s line was given as a story; she uses it for her grandchildren and finds it engages them into their history. Because her mother was deaf and mute she recounted the struggles, the hardships, and abuse the parents, family, and particularly Shirley’s mother encountered throughout her life. Shirley’s story was inspiring, educational, and valuable to all members of the society.

Other announcements: On April 5, 2014 the Baton Rouge Genealogical and Historical Society will have its annual conference with the subject being the value of our State’s Libraries. The Acadian Memorial Center in St. Martinville will hold its monthly meeting on the last Wednesday of the month, March 26, 2014 at 10 A.M. with a speaker from the Guillot Family. A copy of a news article about slave records in the Houma , LA area being compiled by Patricia Whitney, executive director of the Bayou History Center was offered to members. A contact: [email protected]. Treasurer Warren LeBlanc announced that the cost of the society’s storage space will increase from $360.00 annually to $480.00 annually. He had checked other storage facilities and our location is still the least expensive. Pete Lavergne moved that the increased cost be considered in the budget. It was seconded by Calic e Breaux. The motion passed.

Refreshments were offered to guests and members.

James Bourque moved that the meeting be closed; Lona Bourque seconded. The meeting was closed.

Respectfully submitted,

Brenda Fuselier, Acting Secretary