NOVASCOTIAN: 'Acadian Diaspora' lacks argument...

Just received a note from Gérard Theriault, our delegate of the "Léo F. & Marguerite R.Theriault" Great-Branch from Petit Ruisseau, NS about an op-ed piece that he read in his local Chronicle Herald. The information was very timely, Gérard, because while I did get a copy of Christopher Dodson's book titled "The Acadian Diaspora: An Eighteenth Century History", it has been on my book shelf in my pile of reading.

I  will let you read the article and you can make your own decision about the book. I will eventually read it and perhaps later, we can compare notes. By the way, thanks Gérard for thoughtfully sending a scan of the article. I trust that the Chronicle Herald won't mind too much if we make it available here.( We're also giving them some good advertising.)

TERRIOT WEBSITE GETS A FACELIFT...

It's hard to believe but we are approaching our 12th year with our Terriot family website. Over the years, we have gradually worked on improving the 'touch and feel' of the site to try to keep the site interesting, up-to-date and useful. So, we've recently made one or two changes, come by for a visit and let us know what you think.

ACADIA LOST: A Novel

Just received word about a new book titled "Acadia Lost", a novel. The author Anita Flanagan, aka A.M. Hodge had just visited our family website and wanted to tell us about her book that was recently published by Grand Oak Books. She explained in her e-mail that she had come to know some Theriault's in Plymouth, Massachusetts some years ago.

The book tells a story that is often repeated as many of us would vouch. A family, whose present generation member is set on a course to find more about her Acadian ancestors, and to tell the story of their lives in 18^th century Acadia."...the novel is intended to add texture to the historical facts by fleshing out the kinds of things that the people of 18^th century Nova Scotia experienced."

I will certainly give the book a read. I thought you might be interested in doing the same. . There’s an excerpt from the book and a word from the author, on its website, www.acadialost.com.

Publishing New Version of Jehan & Perrine Archive

Just a note to tell you that we have just rolled out a new version of our Jehan & Perrine Terriot Archive. It includes 14,506 individuals, 6020 families, 2058 different family names and 676 source references. In this revision, we increased our number of Great-Branches to 93 and we are currently working on 11-12 more.

Adding More Great-Branches and More Delegates!

Our family website has been updated with the new Archive as well as the new associated documents regarding the Listings of Delegates (104), Great-Branches (93), the List of Migrations and of Lineages.

With this revision, we have had to go to a two volume Descendants’ Report; Volume I is 6.6Mbytes in size while Volume II is 5.6Mbytes large. Each volume includes a few more than 1000 pages. Volume I covers Generations 1 through 9 while Volume II covers generations 10 through 15. Since Volume II mostly covers the members of our family who are still living, the volume will be kept confidential. To prevent those who are not authorized from receiving these documents, both volumes are locked with passwords. Volume I can be printed but Volume II cannot. Changes cannot be made to either volume.

IT WAS A GRAND PARTY FOR THE THERIOTs OF ABBEVILLE...

To follow up on our earlier posting on "MizMo"s 90th birthday, we heard all the way in New England that it was a grand party for the Theriot's of Abbeville. The entire family gathered at Louise's home in Erath, Louisiana to honor their matron; mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. We just received a photo of Aline and her children with promises of more later. Here it is.

Aline Elizabeth Theriot Meaux and children. Erath, LA. May 26, 2012.
Front row - Mary M. Delcambre, Aline 'MizMo', David Meaux, Louise M. Duhon
Back row - Danny Meaux, Rosalyce "Cissi" M. Bares, Anna M. Racca,
Joseph "Butch" Meaux, Jr., Laurie M. Domingue and Robbie Meaux.
All members of the 'Telesphore and Marie Theriot' Great-Branch
and descendants of Jehan and Perrine Terriot.

It is commendable and telling of her character that "MizMo" to this day stays in touch with the Terriot Acadian Family and tends to her responsibility as genealogist and delegate of the 'Telesphore and Marie Theriot' Great-Branch. She has asked her daughter Louise to serve as her Associate Delegate to help out. Nice going, Fair Lady!

A new Terriot is born!

Auriane Grace SimoneThériault

Just received word from Matthieu, our delegate for the Julien and Angelique Thériault Great-Branch from Havre aux Maison, Îles de la Madeleine, that a new Thériault was born a few days ago on 7 May.  It is a little girl whom they have named Auriane Grace Simon, and Matthieu very thoughtfully sent along a photo. 

She is just in time for our new update of our Jehan Terriot Archive which will bring the number of Great-Branches very close to 100, if not 100. 

On reading about MizMo's birthday party on Saturday, Matthieu explained that he would not be able to attend because he's "...Kinda busy right now and a little tired..."  While I understand how Matthieu might be busy, I cannot understand why he might be tired."  But thanks for the thought Matthieu. I know that you don't usually miss a party. :)  Congratulations Matthieu and Manda!

Let the Good Times Roll!

I thought I would let everyone know about a very significant event in Erath, Louisiana this week. Our dear friend Aline Theriot Meaux who we know as "MizMo" and delegate of our Télesphore and Maria Theriot Great Branch will be celebrating the 90th anniversary of her birth in a few days on Saturday, May 26, 2012! Happy Days!

There will be a hot time in town I will tell you. She will be totally surrounded by her family... all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be there to celebrate at her daughter, Louise's home in Erath.

Mizmo is a founding member of the Terriot Acadian Family and has made major contributions to our effort at integrating our genealogy and pulling our family together. During our effort to integrate MizMo's Great-Branch in 2000, she worked with Karen Reader and I to untangle the Josephs involved in their two branches:   Joseph dit Le Bonhomme Thériot (1728-1759) and a second Joseph (1732 - before 1796), husband of Madeleine BOURGEOIS.  Joseph THÉRIOT and Madeleine BOURGEOIS is one of the key families in the Terriot Acadian genealogy of Louisiana.  (See Theriot's of Louisiana)

As the author of very significant collection of short histories for "On the Bayou', a section of our family website, she has left us a wonderful legacy that paints a beautiful picture of Acadian life in Louisiana.

Please join with me to wish her a most joyous 90th birthday and to thank her for her dedication and generosity. Post your message to her right here. She will certainly receive it and will respond soon.

Happy Birthday, MizMo! Bonne Fête, chère Aline!