« Events« Go Back

Conferences

Please let us know if you would like to be included on our contact list for future events and what type of experience and information is of interest to you by completing our web form

Creole Heritage Day 2005 - Marksville, LA

Hosted By NSU Creole Heritage Center

A Benefit for those affected by Hurricanes Katrina & Rita

with a special tribute to Lt. General Russel L. Honoré

We send our heartfelt appreciation to all who attended the events in October to celebrate the Decuir family. The turnout was generous in the midst of the aftermath of hurricanses Katrina and Rita. At a time when Louisiana's cultural assets are at risk, conferences like these are critical to preserve and sustain Louisiana's rich and diverse heritage.

On Thursday, Randy and Susan De Cuir generously opened their historic home, which stands on the original Spanish land grant of the Bordelon family (an allied family) in Marksville, for a wonderful lunch and tour.

Following presentations on the Haydel, Metoyer and Decuir families, descendants gathered to share their expertise and experiences and responded to audience questions. These included Decuir panelists Julie Eshelman-Lee - chair, Hon. W. E. B. Blackmon, Brian J. Costello,Randy De Cuir, Thomas Honoré, and Geraldine Porche West; Dr. Belmont Haydel representing the Haydel family; and Metoyer descendants Michelle Pichon chair, Terrle Delphin, Louise Llorens and Clyde Roque. Other invited Metoyer and Decuir descendants were unable to participate on the panel due to last minute family or hurricane situations.

In a historic moment to pay tribute to one making history, join us as we honor Decuir descendant Lt. General Russel L. Honoré as a great American of Louisiana Creole heritage. .

The commemorative publication to the Decuir event titled: Decuir: Early Creole Family of Louisiana | Creole Heritage Day 2005 is available for purchase for $15. (soft cover, 87pp, complement to the Decuir session, documented articles and reprints, articles from descenants, genealogical data and images; includes S & H) For a sample see: To purchase contact: publications@creolewest.com

Decuir: Early Creole Family of Louisiana

Retracing their history through extensive research, the footprints of the De Cuirs and connected families will enable the audience to take a walk in a time and place where native peoples, Franco-European colonists and Africans against their will commenced new beginnings. It is a story about a family deep-rooted in a plantation society during colonial, territorial and antebellum history and the trajectory into modern times.

For the De Cuirs and their connected families, a thread of their Creole fabric begins with the patriarch, Albert de Cuire, who came to the colony of Louisiana from Macon, Hainaut (present-day Belgium) in 1720 as an indentured servant for the Ste. Catherine concession. Eventually, as a widower and patriarch of his surviving two daughters and sons and their families, he settled on the west bank of the Mississippi River in the area known today as Pointe Coupée Parish, Louisiana. The story of the De Cuirs intersects numerous Creole families of Louisiana as together they contributed to a unique facet of culture and diversity found in America today.

Immediately following the presentation will be a panel discussion featuring the De Cuir, Metoyer and Haydel families. During this discussion, descendants will share their experiences and address the similarities, connections and differences as members of founding Creole families of Louisiana.

Connected family names include, but are not limited to: Amar, Aguillard, Allain, Barre, Bara, Beauvais, Bergeron, Bonin, Bordelon, Bourgeat, Boutte, Breza, Broussard, Caffrey, Cazayoux, Chauvin de Beaulieu, Chenevert, Choquet, Chustz, D’arensbourg, Daublin, David, Didier, De Blanc, De Coux, Denis, De Rouen, Deslondes, De Ville, Dubuclet, Dufour, Dugas, Fornier, Gondron, Gonsoulin, Goudeau, Gremillion, Guerin, Guillaume, Hebert, Honoré dit Destrehan , Hewes, Janis, Joffrion, Juge, Major, L’Abbe, La Cour, Langlois, Latapie, Le Beau, Le Doux, Le Duff, Le Gue, Le Jeune, Lieux, Mayeux, Mestayer, Michot, Migrot, Mix , Moniot, Morgan, Neff, Normand, Olinde, Olivier, Ozenne, Parlange, Patin, Polard, Porche, Pourciau, Poydras, Rabalais, Robillard, Ricard du Rieutord, Riché, Rondeau, Rougon, Samson, Severin, St. Amant, St. Romain, Tounoir, Trudeaud, Villiers, and Wallet.