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Volume V III Summer 2007 |
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For those of you who missed the last meeting: By: Corwin R. Broussard At our Family meeting on March 10, 2007, which was shared with the Trahan Family Association, and following the break for lunch, "Famille Beausoleil" held their election of officers for the coming year. Richard Paul Broussard stated that he would be unable to serve as President any longer, due to family commitments. Let us all say a huge "THANK YOU" to Richard and his wife Velma for their outstanding service to our organization. It was much appreciated. The Board of Governors opened the floor for nominations, then voted and elected Corwin R. Broussard as President, Richard Paul Broussard as Vice-President, Kim Viator Broussard as Treasurer, and Emily Lanoux as Secretary. The newly elected officers were then sworn in and the meeting was adjourned. Please mark your calendars for our next meeting on November 10, 2007, which will be held at the Woodmen of the World Hall in Maurice, Louisiana. In this meeting, we will be discussing the possibility of changing from March to May or June and keeping November as our end of the year gathering. I ask that each of you think about this possible change and be prepared to offer suggestions. Our goal is to make these gatherings more attractive to all, including the younger generation. If we are to succeed and endure, we need to expand our membership. Remember, we are all a part of the Membership Committee. Let’s strive to help our organization grow. Let me Thank all of you for the support provided in the past and encourage your continued support for the future. I look forward to seeing everyone in November. Minutes of meeting of March 10, 2007 The Famille Beausoleil Association held its semiannual general meeting at the Woodmen of World Hall in Maurice, Louisiana on Marc h 10, 2007, with President Richard Paul Broussard presiding. The meeting opened with the Blessing given by Don Louis Broussard and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Rolland Broussard Richard welcomed all with a special welcome to the Trahan Family Association, which was meeting with the Broussard Family. He turned the meeting over to the President of the Trahan Family, Mr. Ernest Ray Trahan. The Trahan Family would hold their election of Officers following this meeting. Don Arceneaux shared content of some letters found in English Archives regarding two Acadians by the name of "Beausoleil" and Leblanc, who were sent to England: presumably the "Beausoleil" was Joseph Broussard. The letter was dated March 11, 1763. The Re-enactment of the arrival of the Acadians at the Attakapas is scheduled for March 17, 2007. The Broussard and Hebert Families will welcome the Trahan and Leblanc Families. Costumes of the period are encouraged. Bea Frederick introduced guest speaker, her uncle and Godfather, Daniel Broussard, who spoke about family history. He donated a "T-Fer" to the oldest member present, who was Millie Broussard. A model of an Acadian Home built by John Allen Leblanc was auctioned. Representative Don Trahan won with a bid of $500. This money will go to support the French Immersion Program at Myrtle Place Elementary School. Last year the Association donated French Encyclopedias for the age group 4-7 years of age. The French Immersion Program is currently in 27 schools. Treasurer Kim Viator Broussard gave a financial report. The Association lost $1000 on meeting last year. Rental fee of the Woodmen of the World Hall and the cost of the meals have increased while the price for the meal has remained the same. CAFA (Confederation of Associations of Families Acadian) would like the 2014 Congres Mondial to be held in Louisiana. The application must be in by September 2008. Charles Broussard moved that the Association give $500 toward the fee of an "expert application writer". Don Louis Broussard seconded the motion and the motion carried. Copies of the members of Board of Directors who agreed to serve for 2007-2008 year had been placed on tables before the meeting. There were no nominations from the floor. Charles Broussard moved that the slate be elected. Doris Bentley seconded the motion and the motion carried. Richard asked for anyone who is interested in serving on Board to see him after the meeting. March is Women’s History Month and the Daily Advertiser is celebrating 31 women who are changing the history of our community. Two of the women were present at this meeting: Dr. Doris Bentley, retired Professor of Business Administration and Brenda Comeaux Trahan, Executive Director of the Acadian Memorial in St Martinville. The "Beausoleil Award" was given to Sig Lanoux and the "La Dame Beausoleil Award" was given to Clothilde Sonnier Broussard. The meeting was adjourned and everyone enjoyed a pork jambalaya dinner, visiting, and drawings for door prizes. The Board met in executive session after the meeting. Barbara Broussard volunteered to serve on the Board. The following Officers were elected, Corwin Broussard as President, Richard Paul Broussard as Vice President, Emily Broussard Lanoux as Secretary, and Kim Viator Broussard as Treasurer. ACADIAN MEMORIAL & MUSEUM During the National Day of the Acadians on August 15th, the Acadian Memorial and Museum will display and highlight student's Social Studies projects with Acadian / Cajun history topics. Judges will select a first, second and third prize and announced at a reception in the Acadian Memorial at 7:00 pm. The winners will be asked to show their works at the memorial for one week. Please call the Acadian Memorial for Brenda Comeaux Trahan for more information - 337.394.2258 Have you ever wondered why some of your Acadian Cousins appeared in France in 1758/59, with no mention of their having been in British Colonies or British Isles before their arrival in France? How Acadians arrived in Louisiana in the 1760’s? If one were to ask when and where the Acadians were deported, they would likely get the answer, from Acadia in 1755. That answer would be partially true; however, not all Acadians were deported in 1755. In fact, not all Acadians were deported from Acadia. The date of their deportation depended to some degree on where they were located. The deportations started in 1755 and continued until 1759, with the exception of those Acadians held as prisoners in various parts of Acadia. Prisoners at Georges Island, including those with the Broussard Brothers, left in 1764. The first wave of deportation began in Acadia in 1755. Most of the deportees were shipped to the British colonies in America, although some were sent as far away as the British Isles. Those who survived being held in Britain—and the heartbreaking number of names with "died in Liverpool," or "died at Falmouth," by their sides show that many didn’t-- were eventually shipped to France. Many of these Acadians would migrate to Louisiana thirty years later, in 1785, aboard the Seven Ships. There were also many Acadians who fled from Acadia to Ile Ste Jean (Prince Edward Island) around 1750. The increasing numbers of British soldiers in Acadia and the renewed demand that Acadians swear full loyalty to Britain forced many of our ancestors to relocate. Many sailed to French territory, and nearby Ile Ste Jean was thought to be a secure destination. The 1752 census of Ile Ste Jean, which can be viewed at http://www.islandregister.com/1752.html shows, for example, that Alexandre Trahan and many of his children and grandchildren had moved to that island about two years before from Pisiquit.Sadly, the British occupied Ile Ste Jean in 1758 and began another round of deportation. By this point, the American colonies wanted no more Acadian deportees, so the Ile Ste Jean Acadians were deported to France. As was the case with all of the deportations, many died en route. Later, many of these Acadians would sail aboard the Seven Ships to Louisiana in 1785. In fact, many of these 1785 passengers were adults who had been born and raised in exile, never having known Acadia. The history of our people is tied to the history of Acadia. For those of you who want to know more about our story but just don’t know where to start, I recommend the book, A Great and Noble Scheme, by John Mack Faragher. It really makes the brilliance of our ancestors come to life. The only bad part of this book was that all along, I knew 1755 would come and ruin it all. A Great and Noble Scheme fits together well with the Carl Brasseaux classic, The Founding of New Acadia, which tells the next step in the story, how the Acadians made a new life for themselves—and us--in Louisiana. Every Cajun should own these books. ------------------- This is the first of what we expect to be a series of articles on Acadian Ancestors; we encourage you to send any questions or information you have for possible inclusion of further articles. We also are interested in individual genealogy and photos (copies of) for possible use.
Don Louis Broussard, on left of picture, following his induction into the Living Legends Hall of Fame on April 11, 2007 at Acadian Museum of Erath. Standing next to Don Louis is Corwin Broussard, newly elected President of Famille Beausoleil Association of North America Membership Form/Address Information *************************************************************** Return to: Beausoleil Table of Contents
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