GOT PROOF! My Genealogical Journey Through the Use Of Documentation

I am in the final stages of completing my first book, a memoir, titled “Got Proof! My Genealogical Journey Through the Use of Documentation”.   

As a family history researcher, I have been asked on many occasions what got me started looking into my family history in Louisiana. What were some of my most interesting discoveries found along the way, and when was I going to write a book? As these questions came up I started to see a pattern with my responses. The challenge for me in writing this first book was narrowing down the focus to one compelling discovery. Once I did that, I had to write a story that would allow readers to see how my research and discoveries came about, as well as to learn about some of the results that came from my genealogical journey.

GOT PROOF! which is due out in late spring 2013, will address many of those questions. I'll keep you posted as I complete this final stage of becoming a published author. 

Be sure to post your comments or questions about my publishing journey. Also, Like "GOT PROOF" on Facebook.

              Remember these words of Actor Denzel Washington.

Compatriot Michael Nolden Henderson LCDR USN Ret, Button Gwinnett Chapter SAR President's Choice 2013 Volunteer Of The Year Recipient

Compatriot Milus Bruce Maney, President Button Gwinnett
Chapter Sons of the American Revolution and
Compatriot Michael Nolden Henderson, LCDR USN Ret.
Past President Button Gwinnett Chapter SAR Recipient
Gwinnett Council For Seniors President's Choice 2013
Volunteer of the Year

I was honored as the Button Gwinnett Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution recipient for the President’s Choice 2013 Volunteer of the Years at The Twenty-seventh Annual Awards Luncheon sponsored by the Gwinnett Council for Seniors which was held Thursday May 16, 2013.

1. 
   

Michael Henderson, Keynote Speaker for New Orleans Chapter DAR Annual Spring Luncheon

Photo by Betsy White 

Mrs. Shelia Curry, Regent, New Orleans Chapter DAR
Michael N. Henderson, Past President, Button Gwinnett
 Chapter Georgia Society SAR and Mrs Joan Madore,
 First Vice Regent New Orleans Chapter DAR

        On Thursday, May 2, 2013, I was honored to be the guest speaker at the New Orleans Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution DAR annual spring  luncheon held at the Metairie Country Club in New Orleans La.  My talk focused on “Telling the story of my 4th Generation Great-Grandparents and how I traced my ancestry to a Louisiana Patriot who served under the command of Bernardo de Galvez, the Spanish Colonial Governor and General of the American Revolution.”  In 2010, PBS program, History Detectives filmed as segment of my ancestor's story titled: See here: The Galvez Papers 
        This was indeed a special occasion as I also witness the change of office for Mrs Curry, outgoing Regent of the New Orleans chapter as she welcomed in their new chapter leadership.    
         Please visit my blog posting GOT PROOF! My Genealogical Journey Through the Use of Documentation and follow us on Facebook for the latest on my book release.

Celebrating the Birth of my 276 Year Old Ancestor- Mathieu Devaux

Devaux Family Crest

This month 276 years ago in the city of Marseille located in the South France, Guillaume Noel Devaux and his wife, Therese Picoun welcomed their seventh child, a new born son into the world. His named Mathieu Devaux, born 14 Feb 1737 - Valentine Day.  His baptism record was located in French Archives in Marseille, France which included a signature of his father Noel Devaux.  see below:

  

Mathieu Devaux
Baptism Record located in the Archives
in Marseille, France
dated February 14, 1737

 Notre Dame des Accoules, located in
Marseille, France

The family being Roman Catholic, two days later on 16 Feb 1737 took young Mathieu to a their family’s church, Notre Dame des Accoules, located in Marseille, France to be baptized. 

Mathieu Devaux, the Progenitor of the Mathieu Family (Creoles of Color) in Louisiana is Michael N. Henderson’s 4th Generation Great Grandfather.

        Remember the words of Actor Denzel Washington from the Movie Training Days
                                                           
                                                                  Got Proof!

A Records Review: Colonial Documents Going Digital

(L-R) Jean-Claude Brunet, 

The Consul General of France in New Orleans,  

Greg Lambousy, 

Director of Collections, Louisiana State Museum 

 and

Michael Nolden Henderson, LCDR USN Ret,

President - Button Gwinnett Chapter GASSAR

On Saturday,  Dec 8, 2012 at the Old Mint in New Orleans many gathered for what was called  A Records Review: Colonial Documents Going Digital Gala fund raising party. 

Louisiana is rich in original manuscript material from the 18th century, an inheritance from the colony’s early founding, strategic location, and economic and military activity. New Orleans’s French Superior Council (1714-1769) and Spanish Judicial Records (1769-1803)—which have been in the care of the Louisiana State Museum since its founding in 1906—are  the crowning jewel of this written patrimony. Unfortunately, accessing the manuscripts is a complicated process, and the documents, some nearly 300 years old,-are deteriorating. Action is needed to preserve this archive and to make it more accessible to researchers and the general public. To preserve the contents of this one-of-a-kind archive, and to provide free and universal access to the region’s most significant foundational documents, LSM is committed to a three year, $800,000 effort to digitize and publish the archive online in a searchable database.

Anita and I drove down to New Orleans to help support this very important cause since many of these same documents helped me to locate and document two of my Louisiana French Colonial Ancestors.   Below is a video and a few pictures taken of those in attendance. 

I Invite you to see here the PBS segment of the History Detectives titled:Galvez Papers

(L-R) The Consul General of France in New Orleans,

 Jean-Claude Brunet 

and

 Michael Nolden Henderson, LCDR USN Ret,

President - Button Gwinnett Chapter, Georgia Society 

Sons of the American Revolution

L-R) Pauline Royals, Jean-Claude Brunet, The Consul General 

of France in New Orleans,Michael Nolden Henderson,

 LCDR USN Ret,President - Button Gwinnett Chapter GASSAR

 Anthony Henderson (Nephew), Cynthia Henderson (Sister),
and Michael Henderson and Ms. Anita Rochelle 

L-R) Michele Krier, Jean-Claude Brunet, The Consul General 

of France in New Orleans,Michael Nolden Henderson,

 LCDR USN Ret,President - Button Gwinnett Chapter GASSAR

To see more photos of the evening event you are invited to double click here

: Thank you for joining us .

Finding Ancestral Proof on Paper and in Stone

MAISONNEUVE, Paul Chomedey, Memorial at Place d'Armes in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

MAISONNEUVE, Paul Chomedey, Memorial at Place d'Armes in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

In 2007,  I visited  Montreal, Canada and found the city charming and in one particular area similar to that of the French Quarter of New Orleans which  was called the Place d'Armes (French for 'parade ground") which dates back to the 17th century.   There in the center stands a famous monument  dedicated to five of the early settlers of Montreal in 1642.   

Little did I know at that time, this monument would one day connect my earliest ancestors to what was then called New France.

As you can see from the photo above are four of the five persons credited with founding Montreal.  On top stand the Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve .

Jeanne Mance

Founder of Hotel Dieu Hospital

 The only female included in this group was a woman by the name of Jeanne Mance .  Her signature appears on my 8th generation great grandparents marriage record.

  

A native american (Iroquois)  is represented however there is no name.

Lambert CLosse

Then there is  Lambert Closse .  His signature appears on my 8th generation great grandparents  marriage record.

Charles Lemoyne

 The other male featured on this monument not seen in the  photo above is that of  Charles Lemoyne.  His signature appears on my 8th generation great grandparents  marriage record.

About a month ago, I finally received from the archives in Canada,  what is now my oldest family document, the marriage record of my 8th Generation Great Grandparents - Michel Messier and Anne Lemoyne who were married in Montreal, Quebec Canada  on  25 Feb 1658.   

What makes this document also interested are the signatures that appear on this record which also connects my ancestors to several of the founding members of Montreal, New France and also the family of the two founders of Louisiana and my home town of New Orleans.   

Now with the marriage record, I am able to document my ancestral lineage to some of the earliest settlers (founders) of both Montreal, Louisiana and New Orleans.

My 8th Generation Great Grandparents

Michel Messier and Anne LeMoyne

Marriage Record 

25 Feb 1658

Also what makes this marriage record so interesting is the fact that Anne Le Moyne is the sister to Charles LeMoyne pictured above of this marriage document.  Even more interesting is the fact that Charles LeMoyne, the brother of my 8th generation great grandmother Anne Lemoyne is also the father of  Pierre and Jean Baptiste LeMoyne  the founders of Louisiana 1699 and New Orleans 1718.

Jean Baptiste  Lemoyne  Bienville

Founder of
New Orleans

1718

Note the  one descendant image in black stone below, it's me.

Jean Baptiste  Lemoyne  Bienville
Founder of
New Orleans
1718

Three Signers of the Declaration of Independence from Georgia Honored with Stone Markers, Oct 9, 2012

Award Winning Georgia Society Sons of the

American Revolution
Color guard

(L-R) Compatriot  Michael N, Henderson, LCDR USN Ret.
President -
 Button Gwinnett Chapter,
 Compatriot Edward Rigel,
 President
 Lyman Hall Chapter
 and
 Compatriot William Dobbs, 
President
George Walton Chapter

Be Sure To Double Click Highlighted Areas in RED for additional Information.

The Coastal Heritage Society held its annual Battlefield March to commemorate the 1779 Battle of Savannah this weekend.

Participants gathered at 7:15 a.m. in the parking lot of the Savanna Visitor's Center, and marched behind re-enactors to Battlefield Memorial Park. The route followed that of American and French soldiers who attacked British fortifications in the battle.

On October 9, 2012, many turned out to honor those who fought and died at the Battle of Savannah.  A brief ceremony took place on the battlefield, and included remarks by Coastal Heritage Society, a cannon salute from the 3rd Infantry Division salute battery and the placing of wreaths at the foot of the memorial.

Welcome and Introductions by Coast Heritage Society

Laying of Wreath by Various Lineage Societies

Afterwards,  a ceremony was held to honored the three signers of the Declaration of independence from Georgia, Button Gwinnett , George Walton and Lyman Hall with stone markers on Battlefield park in Savannah, Ga.

Compatriot N. Walker Chewning
Chairman
Historical Sites and Celebration Committee,
Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution

Compatriot Bruce Maney,
North East Region Vice- President
Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution
Holds a Proclamation Signed by
Georgia Governor
Nathan Deal

Presentation of Proclamation signed
 Governor Nathan Deal
and presented to
the Coast Heritage Society of Georgia
Chairman
Mr. Scott Smith

Compatriot   Michael N, Henderson, LCDR USN Ret.
 President -
 Button Gwinnett Chapter,
 Compatriot Edward Rigel, President - Lyman Hall
Compatriot William Dobbs,President - George Walton Chapter 

and the

World Class Georgia Society Sons of the

American Revolution 

Color guard

(L-to-R) Compatriots N. Walker Chewning, Michael N. Henderson,
Charlie Newcomer and Bruce Maney
Members of the Button Gwinnett Chapter SAR
onhand at Ceremony 

Compatriot   Michael N, Henderson, LCDR USN Ret.
 President -
 Button Gwinnett Chapter, Georgia Society Sons of the
American Revolution

 Later that morning I ventured over and visited Franklin Square to view another honored group of men  at the Haitian Memorial Monument.  While there, I was able to take a moment to remember the unselfish sacrifices for the cause of Liberty and Independence these men rendered to a country not theirs own.

"Chasseurs Volontaires"
Free men of color who
sailed from Saint Domingue

 

Learn more here: Savannah Under Attack 

Compatriot Michael Henderson
"A Living Memorial" and Descendant to
 four Louisiana Patriots of
the American Revolution

 As a descendant of American Revolutionary War Patriot, named Mathieu Devaux dit Platilla, who served in Spanish Colonial Louisiana under the Command of Governor General Bernardo de Galvez. I was honored when the Button Gwinnett Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution asked me to render honors by placing the wreath at a memorial, which honored those who fought and died at the Battle of Savannah, Ga October 9, 1779, 233 years ago.

It was great to also see on battlefield park, a stone marker.  Learn more here about: the Spanish Colonial Governor General, Bernardo De Galvez.

Stone Marker 

Button Gwinnett

Oct 9, 2012

Less than two weeks ago, I participated in a another Plaque unveiling ceremony for another Revolutionary War Patriot.  See here:  Galvez Plaque Unveiling in New Orleans, La 

      

While in Savannah, I visited the Old colonial park .

Entrance to Colonial Park
in Savannah, Ga.

Michael Nolden Henderson LCDR USN Retired

President

Button Gwinnett Chapter, Georgia Society SAR

A descendant of a patriot of the

American Revolution

Mathieu DEVAUX dit Platillo

    To learn more about my Louisiana Patriot of American Revolutionary War Mathieu DEVAUX dit Platillo, Click on his name.