A compilation of genealogical and historical posts focused on Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. The collection features various research snippets including:
* 19th-century social history and business anecdotes from Thibodaux.
* Detailed explorations of legal records such as successions and interdiction cases.
* Family lineage studies for names like Augeron, Benoit, Montet, and Aucoin.
* Historical reflections on local landmarks including St. Joseph Co-Cathedral and the Thibodaux library system.
* 19th-century social history and business anecdotes from Thibodaux.
* Detailed explorations of legal records such as successions and interdiction cases.
* Family lineage studies for names like Augeron, Benoit, Montet, and Aucoin.
* Historical reflections on local landmarks including St. Joseph Co-Cathedral and the Thibodaux library system.
This text is a reflection and review by Javaun Francis on the book *The Sugar King: Leon Godchaux, A New Orleans Legend, His Creole Slave, and His Jewish Roots*, written by Peter M. Wolf. The article explores the historical rise of Leon Godchaux through both biographical facts and personal family connections.
**1. Author Background and Personal Connection**
The author notes that Peter M. Wolf is not just an academic (with a PhD from NYU) but also has a familial connection to the subject; Wolf’s father married Leon Godchaux's granddaughter. This personal link provides both passion and potential bias in how Wolf portrays his ancestor.
**2. The Rise of Leon Godchaux**
* **Origins:** Born "Lion Godchot" in Alsace, France, he emigrated to New Orleans at age 13 (around 1837) to escape poverty and seek religious freedom. He arrived in the highly heterogeneous, bustling port of New Orleans via steamship.
* **Early Career as a Peddler:** After receiving mentorship and initial capital from Leopold Jonas—who helped him change his name's spelling to "Godchaux" to better fit into French-speaking Louisiana—Leon began peddling goods by mule and wagon. He traveled between plantations, selling essential items to everyone from plantation owners to enslaved people.
* **Commercial Success:** By age 16, Leon opened a general store in Convent, LA. In New Orleans, he eventually entered the clothing business (the "French and American Clothing Store") before forming "Godchaux Frères" with his brother Mayer. His success was fueled by strategic partnerships, such as financing from merchant Jean Hahn.
**3. The Complexity of Slavery and Social Dynamics**
A significant part of the narrative involves Godchaux's interaction with the plantation system:
* The book explores his connection to a family (the Tassins) on a local plantation, specifically involving an enslaved woman named Thérèse and her son Joachim.
* In 1849, Leon and Mayer purchased the young man, Joachim, at auction using borrowed funds.
* **Historical Nuance:** While the book portrays Leon as someone who detested slavery, the author of this article expresses skepticism regarding how "morally clean" that narrative may be, given the economic reality that Godchaux’s wealth was deeply intertwined with the plantation and slave-based economy of Louisiana.
The text highlights *The Sugar King* as a significant work for understanding the social and commercial development of New Orleans through the lens of one man's journey from an impoverished immigrant to a retail legend, while touching on the uncomfortable intersection of commerce, race, and slavery in 19th-century America.
**1. Author Background and Personal Connection**
The author notes that Peter M. Wolf is not just an academic (with a PhD from NYU) but also has a familial connection to the subject; Wolf’s father married Leon Godchaux's granddaughter. This personal link provides both passion and potential bias in how Wolf portrays his ancestor.
**2. The Rise of Leon Godchaux**
* **Origins:** Born "Lion Godchot" in Alsace, France, he emigrated to New Orleans at age 13 (around 1837) to escape poverty and seek religious freedom. He arrived in the highly heterogeneous, bustling port of New Orleans via steamship.
* **Early Career as a Peddler:** After receiving mentorship and initial capital from Leopold Jonas—who helped him change his name's spelling to "Godchaux" to better fit into French-speaking Louisiana—Leon began peddling goods by mule and wagon. He traveled between plantations, selling essential items to everyone from plantation owners to enslaved people.
* **Commercial Success:** By age 16, Leon opened a general store in Convent, LA. In New Orleans, he eventually entered the clothing business (the "French and American Clothing Store") before forming "Godchaux Frères" with his brother Mayer. His success was fueled by strategic partnerships, such as financing from merchant Jean Hahn.
**3. The Complexity of Slavery and Social Dynamics**
A significant part of the narrative involves Godchaux's interaction with the plantation system:
* The book explores his connection to a family (the Tassins) on a local plantation, specifically involving an enslaved woman named Thérèse and her son Joachim.
* In 1849, Leon and Mayer purchased the young man, Joachim, at auction using borrowed funds.
* **Historical Nuance:** While the book portrays Leon as someone who detested slavery, the author of this article expresses skepticism regarding how "morally clean" that narrative may be, given the economic reality that Godchaux’s wealth was deeply intertwined with the plantation and slave-based economy of Louisiana.
The text highlights *The Sugar King* as a significant work for understanding the social and commercial development of New Orleans through the lens of one man's journey from an impoverished immigrant to a retail legend, while touching on the uncomfortable intersection of commerce, race, and slavery in 19th-century America.
A collection of historical biographical sketches for prominent citizens in Assumption Parish, Louisiana, whose surnames begin with the letter K. The text provides details on 19th-century life in the region, including information on sugar and cotton plantation management, military service during the Civil War, medical practice, and local commerce.
Main figures covered:
- Joseph K.G. Kittredge
- Abrahm Klotz
- James P. Kock
Main figures covered:
- Joseph K.G. Kittredge
- Abrahm Klotz
- James P. Kock
**Ada Nichols Crain**
San Antonio, Texas — Ada Nichols Crain, a pioneering educator and significant figure in the history of early 20th-century San Antonio education, passed away on March 2, 1957, at the age of 81.
Born in New Brunswick, Canada, on September 10, 1875, Ada dedicated her life to the advancement of learning and the empowerment of women. She achieved a historic milestone in Texas education by serving as the first principal of Highland Park Elementary School, breaking barriers for women in leadership roles within the academic community.
A woman of profound impact, her legacy remains etched in the foundations of the schools she helped lead and the lives of the students she inspired.
She was laid to rest at City Cemetery #2 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. She is remembered with great respect by her family and the community she served so faithfully.
**Family Members**
Spouse: Lee Thomas Crain 1873-1904
**Children:**
- CPT Charles Edward Crain 1896-1945
- Freeman Thomas "Free" Crain 1898-1924
- Violet Crain Sallee 1900-1959
- Nell Crain Youngs 1902-1964
- Ann Crain Orth 1904-1976
San Antonio, Texas — Ada Nichols Crain, a pioneering educator and significant figure in the history of early 20th-century San Antonio education, passed away on March 2, 1957, at the age of 81.
Born in New Brunswick, Canada, on September 10, 1875, Ada dedicated her life to the advancement of learning and the empowerment of women. She achieved a historic milestone in Texas education by serving as the first principal of Highland Park Elementary School, breaking barriers for women in leadership roles within the academic community.
A woman of profound impact, her legacy remains etched in the foundations of the schools she helped lead and the lives of the students she inspired.
She was laid to rest at City Cemetery #2 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. She is remembered with great respect by her family and the community she served so faithfully.
**Family Members**
Spouse: Lee Thomas Crain 1873-1904
**Children:**
- CPT Charles Edward Crain 1896-1945
- Freeman Thomas "Free" Crain 1898-1924
- Violet Crain Sallee 1900-1959
- Nell Crain Youngs 1902-1964
- Ann Crain Orth 1904-1976
This research investigates the genetic origins of the Marsh Arabs of Iraq, believed to have strong ties to the ancient Sumerians. By analyzing Y-chromosome and mitochondrial DNA from 143 Marsh Arabs and comparing them to a larger Iraqi control group, the study reveals a predominantly Middle Eastern genetic heritage with minor contributions from Southwest Asia and Africa. Notably, a specific Y-chromosome lineage (J1-Page08) shows expansion concurrent with the Sumerian period, suggesting a potential genetic link. While the introduction of water buffalo farming appears to have had limited impact on the gene pool, the findings support the hypothesis that the Sumerians were likely autochthonous to the region, rather than originating from India or South Asia.
Kershaw County is one of the oldest settled areas in the midlands of South Carolina. The page provides resources for genealogical research, including information about the Kershaw County Library, Courthouse, and Camden Archives & Museum, with details on locations, contact information, hours, and available resources.
Journal of Mississippi History
Volume 82 Number 3 Article 4
2020
Volume 82 Number 3 Article 4
2020
This page details the Y-DNA Haplogroup Q clusters found in the Ashkenazi Jewish population, including analysis of the Q-Y2198 and Q-YP1003 lineages, their estimated time to most recent common ancestor (TMRCA), and information on SNPs.
A detailed phylogenetic tree representing the haplogroup Q-Y2197, showing its subclades, estimated ages, and associated sample IDs. It visualizes the relationships between individuals carrying this haplogroup based on SNP data.
