Michael Henderson, LCDR USN RET. Feature Speaker During the Memorial Weekend Military Timeline program held at the Atlanta History Center
As a veteran, descendant of a Louisiana Patriot of the American Revolution, and past-president of the Button Gwinnett Chapter SAR Georgia society SAR, I was honored to be the featured speaker on Saturday 25 May 2013 during the Military Timeline Program Memorial Day weekend event held at the Atlanta History Center. During my presentation, I shared a few thoughts and part of my genealogical journey which led me to discover a patriot ancestor who fought in the American Revolution and also show how I traced my military lineage through ancestors who served in various wars, demonstrating my own family's the Military Timeline. I demonstrated how it was through my early curiosity about my military lineage and my Louisiana Creole heritage, that I was able to make these historic family connections.
Michael Nolden Henderson, LCDR USN Ret. Past-President of the Button Gwinnett Chapter, Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution, Author of GOT PROOF! My Genealogical Journey Through the Use of Documentation
Afterward, I signed copies of my new book titled GOT PROOF! My Genealogical Journey through the use of Documentation. It was a thrill to share my ancestral research and story with so many who attended the Military Timeline event. The Memorial Day weekend activities will culminate with the dedication of the newVeterans Memorial Parkoutside the Atlanta History Center, on 27 May 2013 at 5:00 pm.
Here are a few more pictures of the Saturday event.
Photo with a few members of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society Metro-Atlanta Chapter and the author Michael N. Henderson LCDR USN Ret.
A long-time friend and fellow Officer Candidate School classmate stopped by to hear my presentation and pick up a signed copy of my new book, GOT PROOF!
A few more friends and supporters stopped by the say hello and pick up a signed copy of my new book GOT PROOF!
Another Happy Supporter and Fellow historian have his copy of GOT PROOF! signed by Author
I have just published 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 available now, will address many of those questions.
Be sure to post your comments or questions about my publishing journey. Also, Like "GOT PROOF" on Facebook.
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 Year at The Twenty-seventh Annual Awards Luncheon sponsored by the Gwinnett Council for Seniors which was held Thursday, May 16, 2013.
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 atthe New Orleans Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution DAR annual spring luncheon held at theMetairie Country Clubin 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 Documentationand follow us on Facebook for the latest on my book release.
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 newborn 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 is Roman Catholic, two days later on 16 Feb 1737 took young Mathieu to 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.
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
MAISONNEUVE, Paul Chomedey, Memorial at Place d'Armes in Montreal, Quebec, Canada
In 2007, I visitedMontreal, 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 connectmy 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 ofJeanne 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 ofCharles 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 PierreandJean 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
