Surnames:

Hansen

Herrera

Walsh

Letulle

Bourgeois

Griffin

Osbon

Williamson

McElrath

Sammons

Bourgeois Family of France/Acadia/Louisiana

The history of the Cajun people starts in 17th century Canada. A group of French settlers colonized land in the area now known as the Maritime Provinces of Canada. The main area of settlement is now known as Nova Scotia, but was referred to as Acadia for almost 2 centuries. After the English exiled them from their land, the Acadians were scattered about. From 1765 to 1785, over 3,000 of them made their way to Louisiana. Louisiana was to become their New Acadia.

Jacques Bourgeois, born in France in about 1618, arrived in Acadia, now Nova Scotia, in 1642. The Bourgeois' lived in Acadia for over 100 years before the British deported them to Louisiana, some parts of the east coast of the USA and French islands in the Caribbean.

There were five Bourgeois brothers who settled in St. James Parish, Louisiana. They were: Paul, Joseph, Michel, Pierre, and Jean Baptiste. Jean Baptiste Bourgeois is a direct ancestor. Other Bourgeois ancestors, going back 8 generations, were: (FRANCOIS NAIVILLE, ARMAND ALCIDE, JEAN BAPTISTE, PIERRE "PEDRO", CHARLES, CHARLES JACQUES, JACQUES

The small girl is Cassie Walsh Hansen, born in 1911. The old lady is believed to be Ernestine Bourgeois Letulle. The three young ladies are believed to be Ernestine Bourgeois' daughters. The old man is not her husband, but probably a brother. The young boy is believed to be her grandson, a Mire.

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