Bible Word of the Day

Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong." Exodus 23:2 NIV

This is advice that has been dispensed by parents, clergy and educators and most importantly God throughout the generations and it still holds true today.

LOUISIANA PARISH COURTHOUSES

Parish Courthouses in Louisiana can be invaluable for retrieving records pertaining to your family history. They often house and maintain records including but not limited to marriages, divorce, wills, conveyance records, bills of sale, property records. Below is a list of all the Parishes in Louisiana.

LOUISIANA PARISH OFFICIALS LIST Clerk of Court

Acadia
(01)
Hon. Robert T. "Robby" Barousse
P. O. Box 922
Crowley, LA 70527
Phone: 337 788-8881
Fax: 788-1048
Physical: Court Circle, 70527-0922

Allen
(02)
Hon. Gerald Harrington
P. O. Box 248
Oberlin, LA 70655
Phone: 337 639-4351
Fax: 639-2030
Physical: 400 W. Sixth Ave.

Ascension
(03)
Hon. Kermit "Hart" Bourque
P. O. Box 192
Donaldsonville, LA 70346
Phone: 225 473-9866 X 3
Fax: 621-8403
Physical: 300 Houmas St.
Gonzales Office: 225-621-8400

Assumption
(04)
Hon. Darlene Landry
P. O. Drawer 249
Napoleonville, LA 70390
Phone: 985 369-6653
Fax: 369-2032
Physical: 4809 Hwy. 1

Avoyelles
(05)
Hon. "Sammy" Couvillon
P. O. Box 219
Marksville, LA 71351
Phone: 318 253-7523
Fax: 253-4614
Physical: Courthouse, E. Mark St.

Beauregard
(06)
Hon. Ronald L. "Ronny" Nichols
P. O. Box 100
DeRidder, LA 70634
Phone: 337 463-8595
Fax: 462-3916
Physical: 201 W. First St., Courthouse

Bienville
(07)
Hon. James W. "Jim" Martin
100 Courthouse Dr., Rm. 100
Arcadia LA 71001-0746
Phone: 318 263-2123
Fax: 263-7426
Physical: same

Bossier
(08)
Hon. Joan Carraway
P. O. Box 430
Benton, LA 71006
Phone: 318 965-2336
Fax: 965-2713
Physical: 200 Burt Blvd.

Caddo
(09)
Hon. Gary Loftin
501 Texas St., Rm. 103
Shreveport, LA 71101
Phone: 318 226-6780
Fax: 227-9080
Physical: same

Calcasieu
(10)
Hon. Horace Lynn Jones, II
P. O. Box 1030
Lake Charles, LA 70602
Phone: 337 437-3550
Fax: 437-3350
Physical: 1000 Ryan St., 70601

Caldwell
(11)
Hon. Eugene Dunn
P. O. Box 1327
Columbia, LA 71418
Phone: 318 649-2272
Fax: 649-2037
Physical: 201 Main St., Ste.1

Cameron
(12)
Hon. Carl E. Broussard
P. O. Box 549
Cameron, LA 70631
Phone: 337 616-8847 (temporary)
Physical:

Catahoula
(13)
Hon. Janet T. Payne
P. O. Box 654
Harrisonburg, LA 71340
Phone: 318 744-5497
Fax: 744-5488
Physical: Courthouse Square, Rm. 101

Claiborne
(14)
Hon. James Patrick Gladney
P. O. Box 330
Homer, LA 71040
Phone: 318 927-9601
Fax: 927-2345
Physical: 512 E. Main St.

Concordia
(15)
Hon. Clyde Ray Webber, Jr.
P. O. Box 790
Vidalia, LA 71373
Phone: 318 336-4204
Fax: 336-8777
Physical: 4001 Carter St., Ste. 5

DeSoto
(16)
Hon. Ollie L. "Sonny" Stone, Jr.
P. O. Box 1206
Mansfield, LA 71052
Phone: 318 872-3110
Fax: 872-4202
Physical: 201 Texas

E. Baton Rouge
(17)
Hon. "Doug" Welborn
10500 Coursey Blvd., Ste. 200
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
ATTENTION: Election Dept.
Phone: 225 389-3960 (City)
Fax: 295-4750 (Coursey)
Physical: same

E. Carroll
(18)
Hon. Edna Bishop Brock
400 First St., Courthouse
Lake Providence, LA 71254
Phone: 318 559-2399
Fax: 559-0037
Physical: same

E. Feliciana
(19)
Hon. Debbie D. Hudnall
P. O. Drawer 599
Clinton, LA 70722
Phone: 225 683-5145
Fax: 683-3556
Physical: 12305 St. Helena St.

Evangeline
(20)
Hon. Walter Lee
P. O. Drawer 347
Ville Platte, LA 70586
Phone: 337 363-5671
Fax: (ROV ofc.) 363-5780
Physical: 200 Court St.

Franklin
(21)
Hon. Ann Johnson
P. O. Box 1564
Winnsboro, LA 71295
Phone: 318 435-5133
Fax: 435-5134
Physical: 208 Main St., Courthouse

Grant
(22)
Hon. J. ElRay Lemoine
P. O. Box 263
Colfax, LA 71417
Phone: 318 627-3246
Fax: 627-3201
Physical: 200 Main St.

Iberia
(23)
Hon. "Mike" Thibodeaux
P. O. Drawer 12010
New Iberia, LA 70562-2010
Phone: 337 365-7282
Fax: 369-2928
Physical: 300 Iberia St., 70560

Iberville
(24)
Hon. J. G. "Bubbie" Dupont, Jr.
P. O. Box 423
Plaquemine, LA 70765
Phone: 225 687-5160
Fax: 687-5260
Physical: 58050 Meriam St.

Jackson
(25)
Hon. Ann B. Walsworth
P. O. Box 730
Jonesboro, LA 71251
Phone: 318 259-2424
Fax: 395-0386
Physical: 500 E. Court

Jefferson
(26)
Hon. Jon A. Gegenheimer, Elections Dept.
1221 Elmwood Park Blvd., Ste. 603
Harahan, LA 70123
Phone: 504 364-2900 (COC)
736-6394 (Elections)
Fax: 736-8738
Physical: same

Jefferson Davis
(27)
Hon. Carlton L. Duhon
P. O. Box 799
Jennings, LA 70546
Phone: 337 824-1160
Fax: 824-1354
Physical: 300 State St.

Lafayette
(28)
Hon. Louis J. Perret
P. O. Box 2009
Lafayette, LA 70502
Phone: 337 233-0150
Fax: 291-6392
Physical: 800 S. Buchanan, 70501

Lafourche
(29)
Hon. Vernon H. Rodrigue
P. O. Box 818
Thibodaux, LA 70302-0818
Phone: 985 447-4841
Fax: 447-5800
Physical: 309 W. Third St., 70301

LaSalle
(30)
Hon. Steve H. Crooks
P. O. Box 1316
Jena, LA 71342
Phone: 318 992-2158
Fax: 992-2157
Physical: Courthouse St.

Lincoln
(31)
Hon. Linda Cook
P. O. Box 924
Ruston, LA 71270
Phone: 318 251-5130
Fax 255-6004
Physical: 100 Texas Ave.

Livingston
(32)
Hon. Thomas "Tom" Sullivan, Jr.
P. O. Box 1150
Livingston, LA 70754
Phone: 225 686-2216
Fax: 686-1867
Physical: 20180 Iowa St.

Madison
(33)
Hon. Carolyn Caldwell
P. O. Box 1710
Tallulah, LA 71282
Phone: 318 574-0655
Fax: 574-3961
Physical: 100 N. Cedar St.

Morehouse
(34)
Hon. Carol Jones
P. O. Box 1543
Bastrop, LA 71221-1543
Phone: 318 281-3343
Fax: 281-3775
Physical: 100 E. Madison, 71220

Natchitoches
(35)
Hon. "Louie" Bernard
P. O. Box 476
Natchitoches, LA 71458-0476
Phone: 318 352-8152
Fax: 352-9321
Physical: 200 Church St., 71457

Orleans
(36)
Hon. Desiree M. Charbonnet 1340 Poydras Street, 4th Floor
New Orleans, LA 70130
Phone: 504 592-9330
Fax: 592-9192
Physical: same

Ouachita

(37)
Hon. "Bill" Hodge
P. O. Box 1862
Monroe, LA 71201-1862
Phone: 318 327-1444
Fax: 327-1462
Physical: 300 St. John St., 71201

Plaquemines
(38)
Hon. Dorothy M. Lundin
P. O. Box 40
Belle Chasse, LA 70037
Phone: 504 297-5180
Fax: 297-5195
Physical: 301 Main St., Suite 108

Pointe Coupee
(39)
Hon. Lanell Swindler Landry
P. O. Box 86
New Roads, LA 70760
Phone: 225 638-9596
Fax: 638-9590
Physical: E. Main St., Courthouse

Rapides
(40)
Hon. Carolyn Jones Ryland
P. O. Box 952
Alexandria, LA 71309
Phone: 318 473-8153
Fax: 473-4667
Physical: 701 Murray St.

Red River
(41)
Hon. Stuart Shaw
P. O. Box 485
Coushatta, LA 71019-0485
Phone: 318 932-6741
Fax: 932-3126
Physical: 615 E. Carroll St., 71019

Richland
(42)
Hon. Ramona N. Haire
P. O. Box 119
Rayville, LA 71269
Phone: 318 728-4171
Fax: 728-7020
Physical: 100 Julia St.

Sabine
(43)
Hon. Dollie Moore Knippers
P. O. Box 419
Many, LA 71449
Phone: 318 256-6223
Fax: 256-9037
Physical: Capitol & Main Streets

St. Bernard
(44)
Hon. Lena R. Torres
P. O. Box 1746
Chalmette, LA 70044
Phone: 504 271-3434
Fax: 278-4380; (CALL FIRST)
Physical: 1100 W. St. Bernard Hwy., 70043

St. Charles
(45)
Hon. Charles J. Oubre, Jr.
P. O. Box 424
Hahnville, LA 70057
Phone: 985 783-6632
Fax: 783-2005
Physical: 15045 River Rd.

St. Helena
(46)
Hon. Beverly A. Gordon
P. O. Box 308
Greensburg, LA 70441
Phone: 225 222-4514
Fax: 222-3443
Physical: Courthouse Square, Hwy. 10

St. James
(47)
Hon. Edmond E. Kinler, Jr.
P. O. Box 63
Convent, LA 70723
Phone: 225 562-2270
Fax: 562-2383
Physical: 5800 La. 44

St. John the Baptist
(48)
Hon. Eliana Olivier DeFrancesch
P. O. Box 280
Edgard, LA 70049
Phone: 985 497-3331
Fax: 497-3972
Physical: River Rd. & E. Third Streets

St. Landry
(49)
Hon. Charles Jagneaux
P. O. Box 750
Opelousas, LA 70570
Phone: 337 942-5606 X 103
Fax: 948-7265
Physical: Court & Landry Streets

St. Martin
(50)
Hon. Allen Blanchard, Sr.
P. O. Box 308
St. Martinville, LA 70582
Phone: 337 394-2210
Fax: 394-7772
Physical: 415 S. Main St.

St. Mary
(51)
Hon. Cliff Dressel
P. O. Drawer 1231
Franklin, LA 70538
Phone: 337 828-4100 X 200
Fax: 828-2509
Physical: 500 Main St., Courthouse

St. Tammany
(52)
Hon. Malise Prieto Becky
P. O. Box 1090 Galatas Covington, LA 70434 809-8723
Phone: 985 809-8700
Fax: 809-8725
Physical: 701 N. Columbia St., 70433

Tangipahoa
(53)
Hon. Julian E. Dufreche
P. O. Box 667
Amite, LA 70422
Phone: 985 748-8015
Fax: 748-6503
Physical: Mulberry & Bay Streets
Hammond Office: 985-549-1638

Tensas
(54)
Hon. Ernest Sikes
P. O. Box 78
St. Joseph, LA 71366
Phone: 318 766-3921
Fax: 766-3926
Physical: Courthouse Square

Terrebonne
(55)
Hon. I. Robert "Bobby" Boudreaux
P. O. Box 1569
Houma, LA 70361-1569
Phone: 985 868-7113 Elections Fax: 868-8166
Physical: 400 E. Main St., 1st Flr., 70360

Union
(56)
Hon. Sue Buckley
100 E. Bayou St., Ste. 105
Farmerville, LA 71241
Phone: 318 368-3055
Fax: 368-3861
Physical: same

Vermilion
(57)
Hon. Diane Meaux Broussard
100 N. State St., Ste. 101
Abbeville, LA 70510
Phone: 337 898-1992
Fax: 898-9803
Physical: same

Vernon
(58)
Hon. Willie Deon, Jr.
P. O. Box 40
Leesville, LA 71446-0040
Phone: 337 238-1384
Fax: 238-9902
Physical: 215 South 4th St.

Washington
(59)
Hon. Johnny D. Crain
P. O. Box 607
Franklinton, LA 70438
Phone: 985 839-7821
Fax: 839-3116
Physical:Courthouse,Main & Washington

Webster
(60)
Hon. Holli W. Vinning
P. O. Box 370
Minden, LA 71058-0370
Phone: 318 371-0366
Fax: 371-0226
Physical: 410 Main St., 71058

W. Baton Rouge
(61)
Hon. Mark J. Graffeo
P. O. Box 107
Port Allen, LA 70767
Phone: 225 383-0378
Fax: 383-3694
Physical: 850 Eighth St.

W. Carroll
(62)
Hon. Kay S. Bolding
P. O. Box 1078
Oak Grove, LA 71263
Phone: 318 428-2369
Fax: 428-9896
Physical: Courthouse, Main St.

W. Feliciana
(63)
Hon. Felicia Ann Daniel Hendl
P. O. Box 1843
St. Francisville, LA 70775
Phone: 225 635-3794
Fax: 635-3770
Physical: Ferdinand & Prosperity Streets

Winn
(64)
Hon. Donald E. "Don" Kelley
100 Main St., Rm. 103
Winnfield, LA 71483
Phone: 318 628-3515
Fax: 628-3527
Physical: same

http://www400.sos.louisiana.gov/comm/ucc/coc-list-ucc.pdf

Louisiana Public Libraries

Louisiana Public Libraries are an excellent resource for tracing your family history. Most of the libraries offer genealogical resources including free assess to normally paid websites such as Ancestry.com. However, most require that you perform your search at the Library and not from home or elsewhere.

To view a list of the Public Libraries in all of the Louisiana Parishes, you can click the following link or assess by clicking on the link on the right sidebar.

http://www.publiclibraries.com/louisiana.htm

LDS Family History Centers in Louisiana

Below is a list of Family History Centers in the State of Louisiana. Family History Centers are branch facilities of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Centers provide access to most of the microfilms and microfiche in the Family History Library to help patrons identify their ancestors. Everyone is welcome to come to the centers and use Family History Center resources. It has been an invaluable resource for tracing my family history. .

1)Alexandria Louisiana
611 Versailles Blvd
Alexandria, Rapides, Louisiana, United States
Phone: 318-448-1842
Hours: T 6pm-8pmW 6pm-8pm; Th 9am-1pm;Closed: 2 weeks over Christmas & New Years.Attention: Contact Helen Sanders @318.201-9391 for special appts.

2)Baker Louisiana
4901 Harding St
Baker, East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Phone: 225-775-0383
Hours: T-Th 9am-1pm, 6pm-9pm; Sat by appt onlyClosed: Closed November 23-25; December 21-27th .

3)Baton Rouge Louisiana
10335 Highland Rd
Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Phone: 225-769-8913Hours: T 1pm-4:00pm; Th 4pm-7pm; Sat 9am-12 noonClosed: Closed December 22, 2009 to January 4, 2010.

4)Denham Springs Louisiana
25367 Riverton Ave
Denham Springs, Livingston, Louisiana, United States
Phone: 225-664-8979Hours: T-W 9am-12pm, 6:30pm-9pm

5)Gonzales Louisiana
502 Hwy 30
Gonzales, Ascension, Louisiana, United States
Phone: 225-644-0581Hours: T 9am-1pm; T-W 6pm-8pm

6)Iberia Parish Library
445 E Main
New Iberia, Iberia, Louisiana, United States
Phone: 337-373-0079Hours: Mon-Thurs 8:30am-8pm; Fri, Sat 8:30am-5:30pm; Sun 1:30-5:30Attention: Microfims from the Church can be ordered at this Library

7)Lafayette Louisiana
116 E Bluebird Dr
Lafayette, Lafayette, Louisiana, United States
Phone: 337-984-7182Hours: T 9am-12pm; 7pm-9pm W, Th 7pm-9pm;

8)Monroe Louisiana
909 N 33rd St
Monroe, Ouachita, Louisiana, United States
Phone: 318-322-7009Hours: Th 12pm-4:30pm;Closed: Thanksgiving Week & 2 weeks for Christmas

9)New Orleans Louisiana
5025 Cleveland Pl
Metairie, Jefferson, Louisiana, United States
Phone: 504-885-3936Hours: Tue:, Wed:, Thurs:, Sat: 9am - 12noon, Tue:,Wed: 6pm-9pmClosed: Closed Major HolidaysAttention: Wed pm Spanish & English

10) Opelousas Louisana
300 Plantation Rd
Opelousas, St Landry, Louisiana, United States
Phone: 337-942-8081Hours: by appointment

11) Ruston Louisiana
205 West Woodhaven Road
Ruston, Lincoln, Louisiana, United States
Phone: 318-255-8379
Hours: W 6:30pm-8pm or by appointment

12) Shreve Memorial Library Genealogy Department
1212 Captain Shreve Dr, Shreveport, Caddo, Louisiana, United States
Phone: 318-219-3468
Hours: Mon-Thur 9am-9pm; Fri & SAt 9am-6pm; Sun 1pm-5pmAttention: Microfims from the Church can be ordered at this library

13)Shreveport Louisiana
200 Carroll St
Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, United States
Phone: 318-861-6754
Hours: T,W 9am-7pm; 3rd Sat 9am-1pmClosed: Thanksgiving week. 2 weeks from Christmas thru New Years.

14) Slidell Louisiana
112 Rue Esplanade
Slidell, St. Tammany, Louisiana, United States
Phone: 985-641-3982
Hours: T. & Sat. by appointment 9 am - 2 pm, W. walk-in 9 am - 2 pm T. & Sat 9 am - 2 pm by appointment, W. 9 am- 2pm walk-in

15)St Tammany Parish
Public Library Covington Branch
310 W 21st AveCovington
St Tammany, Louisiana, United States
Phone: 985-893-6280 x107Hours: Mon-Thur 9am-8pm; Fri & Sat 9am-5pmAttention: Microfilms can be ordered from the Church at this Library

16)Thibodaux Louisiana
3415 Little Black Bayou Rd
Houma, Terrebonne, Louisiana, United States
Phone: 985-876-0221Hours: W 7pm-9pm; Also by appointment

17)Winnfield Louisiana
8991 Hwy 501Winnfield, Winn, Louisiana,
United StatesPhone: 318-628-6945Hours: Th 1pm-9pm

My Virginia Historical Adventures

Earlier this week, I took a trip back in time to Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg, Virginia where much of the early history of America took place. I was just so enchanted with these places and the stories of the people that once resided there. These places are so well perserved. I have a lot to tell about my adventure but little time to do so at this time so look for a future blog containing my tales of my Virginia visit.

New York City?........Get a rope?

Well, I'm back in my home away from home, New York, not getting a rope but getting some much needed R&R hanging out in the "Big Apple." As usual, its been fun-filled and entertaining. Yesterday, I got all I got all dressed up in one of my most glamorous dresses to attend the Broadway play, Fences starring the infamous, Denzel Washington. I knew it was going to be a special performance before the show even began because I happened to sight the performer going into the Cort Theater about 2 hours before the show was to begin. He is such a class act! He exited the vehicle he arrived in and walked nonchalantly into the side stage door while waving to onlookers and flashing that gorgeous smile of his. His wife, Paulette is one of the luckiest women in the world next to Michelle Obama. Anyway, I got so excited about his casual entrance, that it did not occur to me to flash the camera that I happened to be holding at the time. I was so enchanted, I completely zoned out and was oblivious to all that was going on around me in very busy NY. Denzel's performance was nothing short of amazing! I sat 6 rows from the stage and was just memorized by the actor as well as the rest of the cast. If you are going to be in the NY area anytime soon, this play is a must see. To top off my excitement, during intermission, I headed for the ladies room as just as I was about to enter, I looked back and coming out of the men's facility was Stevie Wonder! Again, I greeted him with much excitement and he also was very friendly and reciprocated. As it turned out he was sitting two rows down from me.

After the show, I perused the City taking in the sights and sounds, then in the evening went to see Sex and the City at a theater on 42nd Street. It was a great film and actually seeing the show in New York where it is centered made it all the better.

This morning, I headed to Harlem for church at Abyssinian Baptist where I have been going every time I visit NY since 1999. The service was excellent and the choir angelic as usual. After church, I viewed some of the new History Displays that graced the Halls. The display cases were lined with photographs and biographies of all the former Pastors since the 1800's. What a heritage! After exiting the church and heading towards Lenox Avenue, I was just amazed by the towering new mural that is being erected on the new wing of the Harlem Hospital. It is so vibrant and features a depiction of Cab Calloway as well as teams of African American doctors and nurses. The artist or artists who created this should really be commended.

Next, I headed to Sylvia's Soul Food where I enjoyed some fried Catfish and Grits with Collard Greens and Candied Yams. Yum, Yum. Scrumptious. I then perused Harlem buying from little shops here and there.

I then headed to Central Park. The weather is just excellent here today. Everyone was out enjoying the weather just basting in and soaking up the Sun! I just enjoy being in Central Park watching the sights and sounds and being one with nature.

I also visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art and took in the ancient artifacts of Rome and Egypt. Anyone who knows me well, know I LOVE art and this is certainly a place that any true art lover likes to hang out at. The museum has acquired so many more new and exquisite pieces since my last visit.

Of course being in the area of 5th Avenue, I had to stop by Bloomingdales.

Well, tomorrow, I'm off to Virginia to visit my niece and her family so I have to say farewell to NY but its been a blast! However, I am really looking forward to seeing my family in Virginia.

Well bye for now........LOL

Who Do You Think You Are?

Last night I watched the final episode of the new genealogy series, "Who Do You Think You Are?" As you may recall that is the new spin-off show of the the British series that documents the ancestry of national celebrities.


Last night's show featured the African American film-maker, Spike Lee. It was an excellent show. Spike with the help of several genealogists was able to uncover and trace his family back to the slavery era. He learned that one of his maternal great-great grandfathers, Mars Woodall Jackson had Georgia roots and that he was formally owned by a Plantation Owner bearing the surname Woodall. He also discovered that after slavery, his grandfather changed his surname from Woodall to Jackson. Additionally, he retrieved land records documenting the ownership of 80 plus acres in Georgia. A very moving moment came when Spike visited and set foot on the actual land that his ancestor owned and farmed. It was a very poignant moment for him as well as myself when he collected red clay dirt to take back home as a reminder of who he came from. This was especially meaningful to me as I too come from the Red Clay Dirt land of Louisiana. Irony presented itself with Spike learning of his ancestor, Mars Woodall Jackson because it was also the name of the main character in his first film. The idea for the name came from his grandmother and benefactor, Lucinda Jackson but he just learned the full history of its origin.


Later in the show, Spike traced another ancestor by the name of Wilson Griswald who was owned by a slaveowner bearing the same name in Griswaldville. It turned out that he was one of the largest slaveowners in the area. Legal documents suggest that Wilson was a skilled slave who highly valued by his slaveowner. Spike learned that Wilson worked in a firearms factory in Griswaldsville where weapons were manufactured, primarily by slaves, for the Confederate Army. The factory was destroyed during the Civil War by none other than General Sherman and his army since it was the largest producer of guns for the Confederate Army. Again, it was a stirring moment when a historian handed Spike Lee an actual gun produced in the factory. Unfortunately, all records of Wilson Griswald after the destruction of the weapons factory disappear. Hence, it is not known whether or not he was killed in the factory or taken captive by Sherman's army since there is record that 5 Negroes were captured and taken with his company.

The show ended with a reunion between Spike and a white descendant of the Griswald slave owner. The pair appeared initially uneasy during their meeting but came to a meeting of the minds that slavery was a terrible atrocity.

Anyway, it was a very enjoyable finale show. I says kudos to "Who Do You Think You Are" and Ancestry.com for doing such a great job presenting the ancestry of the celebrities who appeared on the show during the season. Another awesome show was the episode that presented the ancestry of football-great, Emmitt Smith.

If you missed the show or any other episodes, you can go to http://www.hulu.com/ to watch it.

Family Search Labs-Newly Added/Updated Sites

Great news! A couple of days ago, Family Search Labs Records Search added and/or updated a myriad of records for multiple states. These include death, marriage and birth records for Louisiana, North Carolina, Arkansas, Kansas, Ohio, Maine, Nova Scotia, Hawaii, Arizona, Florida, Oregon, New York, Maryland and many other states. Please pass along this information to people who you know are doing research in the states with newly updated or added documents. Happy hunting!

Who Do You Think You Are?

NBC has a new show on called "Who Do You Think You Are?" The show is an American spin off of the 6 year old British show that traces the ancestry of national celebrities. In each episode, a celebrity goes on a journey to trace his or her family tree.

The premier show featured actress, Sarah Jessica Parker. She traced her ancestor with the surname Hodge from Cincinnati, Ohio to El Dorado County, California in the Gold County. She also traced an earlier ancestor, Elwell back to Salem, Massachusetts and discovered that she was part of the infamous Salem witch trials. I actually visited Salem, Massachusetts several years back and viewed some of the victims graves. It was quite eerie.

In general, I like the show and I am glad that there is now a Genealogy program that will hopefully encourage individuals to trace their family history.

My only criticism is that the show seemed unnecessarily "scripted." The reactions of Ms. Parker to finding out about her ancestry seemed unnatural and exaggerated and her words seemed as though they came from a cue card. It was clear that the show was trying to relay to the audience reasons why they would want to trace their ancestry, but from my almost 20 years of experience in Genealogy, people are naturally excited when they find out about themselves and the message comes across more clearly.

However, as mentioned, I still think the show is wonderful and I am looking forward to future episodes.

Black History Salute to Ron Brown

In honor of Black History Month, I would like to remember Ron Brown who was the first African-American to be appointed to the Cabinet post of Secretary of Commerce. As well, he was the first black to serve as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

He was born in Washington D.C. but his family relocated to Harlem, New York. He was well educated having attended Hunter College Elementary School, Rhodes Preparatory School and Middlebury College in Vermont.

He later joined the Army in 1962 serving in South Korea and Germany. He married his sweetheart, Alma Arrington. After his honorable discharge from the service, he joined the National Urban League and enrolled in Law School at St. John's University where he received his degree in 1970. He spent twelve years with the Urban League as Deputy Executive Director, General Counsel, and Vice President of the Washington bureau.

He concurrently became involved in politics and worked on Senator Edward M. Kennedy’s presidential campaign in 1980. He was appointed chief counsel for the Senate Judiciary Committee under the chairmanship of the Senator.

In 1981 Mr. Brown joined Patton, Boggs & Blow, becoming the first African-American partner at this prestigious firm in the nation’s capital.

He died on April 3, 1996, while on an official trade mission, the Air Force CT43 with 34 other people when the plane crased into a mountainside in Croatia.

He was a true African American Hero so in honor of Black History Month, I am paying tribute to Ron Brown.

Black History Salute to Caesar "C.C"Antoine

In honor of Black History Month, I would like to pay tribute to a little known black hero, Caesar Carpenter "C.C." Antoine. He was Louisiana born and bred in New Orleans and came from "good stock." His father fought at the Battle of New Orleans and his mother was of African/West Indian heritage and the daughter of a captured African Chief. His mother purchased her own freedom and amassed a small fortune for her time which enabled the family to live as free blacks. Their wealth also afforded Antoine a quality education at the best private schools where he became fluent in English and French.

In New Orleans, Antoine established and ran a successful grocery business. However, after the Civil War broke out and the Union captured and occupied New Orleans, this proud young nubian joined the Union Army. He quickly rose to the rank of Captain in the one of the nation’s first all-black regiments, the Louisiana Native Guards. He also recruited former slaves to serve in Company I of the Seventh Native Guard which he organized at Brashear which was 85 miles from New Orleans.

After the Civil War, Antoine moved to Shreveport, Louisiana where he purchased land for farming and and went back into the grocery business.

However, he soon answered a call to serve his Country during Reconstruction in an effort to make life better for his family and other newly freed African Americans. His first political office was that of a Delegate to Louisiana’s Constitutional Convention in 1868 which set the parameters of Louisiana’s Reconstruction-era state government. With black voting rights established under the protection of federal troops, Antoine served Louisiana as State Senator between 1868 and 1872 and Lieutenant Governor from 1872 to 1877. In 1876 he was briefly Acting Governor. Antoine’s tenure in office ended soon after the Compromise of 1877 which withdrew federal troops from Louisiana, allowing the Democrats to return to power.

Antoine enjoyed a life that former slaves and blacks had previously only dreamed of. He had a nice house, investments in the railroad and lottery, raised race horses and co-owned the semi-weekly newspaper called "Louisiana" with Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback, the nation's first black Governor of a U.S. state. Antoine also served in 1880 as the president of the Cosmopolitan Life Insurance Company.

C. C. Antoine died in September of 1921 in his house on Perrin Street at the age of eighty-five. He is buried in Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Shreveport. In 1982, an 8-acre park was dedicated to him.

So in honor of Black History Month, I would like to salute this very accomplished Louisianan, Caesar "C.C"Antoine. I thank God for you C.C. May He bless you and pray that he blesses you richly in the Afterlife!

Black History Month Tribute to God the Father

In honor of Black History Month, I would like to pay tribute to God, the father. The reason is pretty obvious to me but for those of you who it is not so apparent to, please let me explain.

First of all, I thank God for protecting and allowing the many African men, women and children to make it safely to America even though it was under less than desirable circumstances. I thank God for giving them the strength and courage to endure the brutality, hard labor and conditions that they experienced at the hands of their capturers. I thank Him for comforting them when their hearts longed for their homeland and their families so far away. I also thank God for giving them the will to keep a positive attitude even under dire circumstances and for putting a song in their hearts, minds, and mouths, i.e. hymms and spirtuals to give them peace and joy in their souls even in the midst of a hostile environment.



FACT-An estimated 645,000 slaves were kidnapped and sold into slavery in the United States. The slave population in the United States had grown to four million by the time of the 1860 Census.



I also thank God for working through people like President Abraham Lincoln, abolistionists, former slaves, Union Officers and soldiers both black and white and giving them the courage to stand up against what in the heart of hearts was not right and for being willing to lay down their lives for it. I also thank him for the many African American men, women and children who were allowed to experience freedom.

FACT-Approximately 180,000 free and runaway African-Americans comprised 163 units of the Union Army and served during the Civil War. Many others served in the Union Navy.

I would also like to thank God for giving the newly freed slaves the courage and desire to pursue and fight for their right to education, careers and to better themselves and the lives of their families amidst racial prejudice and intimidation. I thank him for allowing the former slaves, their descendents and others of african origin to enjoy prosperity and to obtain their goals of becoming doctors, lawyers, educators, professional athletes, musicians, heads of corporations, policiticians and anything else they desire to be!

I thank God for allowing a son of Africa, the nation from which our ancestors were brought to serve as a lowly slave-to become the head of the Nation, President of the United States! I thank God for President Barack Hussein Obama! Isn't it wonderful how God has a way of turning things around?

God is Good! Praise his name. He has been a strong force in the lives of African Americans since their arrival on U.S. soil. So in honor of Black History month, He receives all my praise, honor and Glory! Can I get a hallelujah and amen?

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14