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 fundraising 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

Return to French Female Ancestor Documented Links Native of New Orleans to Founders and Settlers of Quebec, Canada

GOT PROOF! “Finding Ancestral Proof on Paper and in Stone” Michael N. Henderson Copyright 2013

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.

UNVEILING OF NEW HISTORICAL MARKER - BERNARDO DE GALVEZ 27 Sept 2012

Spanish Colonial Louisiana
Governor-General
Bernardo de Galvez
(Photo by Michael Henderson)

On Thursday, September 27, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. many gathered for an Unveiling Ceremony of the New Historical Marker for The Statue of Bernardo de Galvez located at the foot of Canal St in the City of New Orleans, Louisiana.  

Various Organizations and representatives in attendance were as followed:  Button Gwinnett Chapter, Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution, New Orleans Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, General Philemon Thomas NSSAR, Louisiana Society NSSAR, Lady Washington Chapter, NSDAR, Canary Islander Heritage Society of Louisiana, Canary Islander Descendants Association, San Antonio, Granaderos y Damas de Galvez, TX, Houston TX, Galveston, TX, Jacksonville, Fl, Pensacola, Fl, San Antonio TX, Washington, D.C.

This day celebration was especially significant for both me and my mother Mrs. Frances Jane Henderson a (member of the New Orleans Chapter DAR) because of the important role Governor General Bernardo de Galvez played in our family’s ancestral history.  That story can be seen here in the PBS segment of the history detective titled:  the Galvez Papers

Here are a few photos captured of the day's event.

Michael Henderson, LCDR USN Ret-President Button
Gwinnett Chapter Georgia Society Sons of the American
Revolution and Mr. and Mrs. Joel Escamilla,
 Granaderos Governor-General and
Members the Granaderos y Damas de Galvez
(Photo by Ms. Barbara Henderson)

Joel Escamilla,
 Granaderos Governor General
Addresses those in attendance
Photo by Ms. Barbara Henderson

Mrs. Frances Jane Henderson, Member of the
New Orleans Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution
Mother of Michael N. Henderson, LCDR USN Ret.
President Button Gwinnett Chapter Georgia Society
Sons of the American Revolution shares with those in
 attendance the significance of Galvez's Contribution
 to his Louisiana Creole Ancestry
Photo by Ms. Barbara Henderson 

Bernardo de Galvez
 played by
Mr. Robert Freeland
shares his appreciation of the
nearly forgotten Governor-General
Contribution to the American Revolution
Photo by Ms. Barbara Henderson

(L to R) Compatriot Ike Edwards,
 President of the Gulf port Mississippi Chapter SAR
Mr. Bertin "Bert" Esteves, (Center)
 member of Canary Islands Heritage Society of Louisiana
and
Compatriot William Allerton,
Past State President of the Louisiana Society
Sons of the American Revolution
(Photo by Ms. Barbara Henderson)

(L to R)Compatriot Clif Normard, LASSAR Registrar,
Compatriot Michael N. Henderson, LCDR USN Ret.
President Button Gwinnett Chapter Georgia Society SAR
Mrs. Frances Jane Henderson, Member of the New Orleans Chapter
Daughters of the American Revolution,
Mr. Joel Escamilla, Granaderos Governor General
(Photo by Ms. Barbara Henderson)

New Historical Marker
for the Statue of
 Bernardo de Galvez,
New Orleans, La.
(Photo by Mr. Michael Henderson)

Michael Henderson, his mother Frances Henderson
and several members of the
Canary Islands Heritage Society of Louisiana
(Photo by Ms. Barbara Henderson) 

As We all Gathered
So to We all Remembered
The Contributions of the Spanish Colonial
Governor-General
Bernardo de Galvez
(Photo by Ms. Barbara Henderson)

Michael Nolden Henderson, LCDR USN Ret
President
Button Gwinnett Chapter Georgia Society
Son of the American Revolution
(Photo by Ms. Barbara Henderson)

After the Unveiling Ceremony, We all gathered at the Galvez restaurant located in the French Quarter of New Orleans for a few acknowledgments of thanks for the local support and coordination of this successful event.  Here are a few of those photos captured on this day.

Ms. Cynthia Henderson Future member of the DAR and her Mom,
Mrs. Frances Henderson, Member of the New Orleans Chapter,
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
 making their way over to the Galvez Restaurant
(Photo by Ms. Barbara Henderson)

Outside the Galvez Restaurant
(Photo by Ms. Cynthia Henderson)

A Tribute to Bernardo de Galvez
on the wall of the entry way of
the Galvez Restaurant
(Photo by Ms. Cynthia Henderson)

Part of the main Dinner room of the
 Galvez Restaurant
Photo by Ms. Cynthia Henderson

Friends gather at the Ceremony at the Galvez Restaurant
(Photo by Ms. Cynthia Henderson)

Robert Freeland, Morgana King
of the New Orleans Art Council
 Cliff Normand
Photo by Mr. Michael Henderson

Barbara Henderson
 my sisters
and a Future member of the DAR
Photo by Ms. Cynthia Henderson

Yes we were all glad to be present for this
 historical marker unveiling for
Bernardo de Galvez
Photo by Ms. Cynthia Henderson

Four Ladies of the
 Louisiana Society Daughter of the American Revolution
(L-to-R) Ruth Autin, Gerry Ryder, Frances Henderson, Carole Gloger
Photo by Ms. Cynthia Henderson

Ms. Morgana King, Member of the New Orleans
Arts Council who assisted with
Coordinating the unveiling Ceremony is Presented
with a certificate of Appreciation from Mr. Richard Whynot
Member of the Granaderos y Damas de Galvez
(Photo by Mr. Michael Henderson)

Robert Freeland who dressed as
The Spanish Colonial Governor-General
Bernardo de Galvez is presented with a
 Certificate of Appreciate  by Mr. Joel Escamilla,
Granaderos Governor General
(Photo by Mr. Michael Henderson)

Head chef of the Galvez Restaurant
is presented with a certificate of
Appreciation byMr. Richard Whynot
Member of the Granaderos y Damas de Galvez
(Photo by Mr. Michael Henderson) 

Galvez
(Photo by Ms. Cynthia Henderson)

Also as a follow-up was an article published by the Louisiana Times-Picayune Newspaper titled see here: 

See more on my award-winning Memoir titled: GOT PROOF! My Genealogical Journey Through the Use of Documentation  which links Galvez to my 4th Generation Great Grandparent Agnes Mathieu and Mathieu