CENLA historians awarded research grant for colonial Louisiana veterans

The Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Society (LAGHS) is pleased to announce it has received a grant to study the genealogy and military records of colonial Louisiana military veterans. The grant is from the U.S. National Archives with program partners in the the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and the U.S. Army War College.

"We are very proud of our small team who diligently worked on the grant proposal," said Robert Brevelle, Chairman of the LAGHS. "Everyone on the team is a volunteer from CENLA and takes great pride in their Louisiana heritage. This is the largest grant in the society's 70 year history. It represents a wonderful win for the society and for the state and people of Louisiana, many of whom are descendants of these veterans."

The grant will fund research of veterans from the Louisiana colonial militia and personnel serving within the borders of the colony from the militaries of the Kingdoms of Spain and France. Louisiana was previously a French and Spanish colony before being acquired by the U.S. in 1803.

"We are well-suited for this work given our extensive past research and published works," said Jessica Sanders, Director of LAGHS. "We have published dozens of articles on the subject as well as related books Louisiana Soldiers in the War of 1812 and Early Louisiana Families. We are experts in the fields of genealogy, Louisiana and military history, heraldry, and ethnology."

Part of the program will provide assistance to graduate students and those in the senior service colleges with identification and reference materials for notable military personnel. In particular, those who served in the Louisiana colony albeit under different flags and kings. Nationality, regional origin, religion, ethnicity, language, education, and other aspects will be researched for each veteran.

"We believe we were selected for more than our technical expertise," said Jessica. "Unlike some of the other teams, we are actually from Louisiana with Louisiana colonial ancestors and experienced Louisiana culture. We are passionate about these soldiers and sharing their life experiences."

Jessica is from LaSalle Parish. Robert is from Avoyelles and Vernon Parish. Other team members are from Rapides and Catahoula. All are lineal descendants of the founding families of the state. Robert is a consanguineous or "blood" relative to several of the founding fathers and military leaders of Louisiana including brothers Pierre Le Moyne D'Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville (Founder of New Orleans and known as the "Father of Louisiana"), Louis Antoine Juchereau de St. Denis (Founder of Natchitoches), and Bernardo Vicente Apolinar de Gálvez (Louisiana hero of the American Revolution).

"It is not all pomp and circumstance," said Robert. "Many of these men came from nothing, carved an existence out of the swamp, and earned their positions through hard work and sacrifice, which in some cases cost them their very lives. What they all have in common is their selfless service to Louisiana and its people."

LAGHS, P.O. Box 82060, Baton Rouge, LA 70884-2060
Press Contact: melissa.collins@laghs.com (832) 598-4515

The LAGHS was founded in 1953 to collect, preserve, and publish genealogical and historical materials for the state of Louisiana and its people. The society works closely with genealogy and ancestry libraries, historical societies, state agencies, research facilities, and universities. LAGHS is headquartered in Baton Rouge and sponsors two seminars each year at the Louisiana State Archives building and at alternating location typically at a genealogical library or historic site. The society provides for a certification and renewal program for Louisiana genealogists and heraldists. Additionally, the society maintains the official state registries containing 7 registers: Indigenous Tribes of Louisiana, Founding Fathers of Louisiana, First Families of Louisiana, Creoles of Louisiana, Cajuns of Louisiana, Slaves of Louisiana, and Manilamen of Louisiana. For over 70 years, the society has published The Louisiana Genealogical Register - an eclectic collection of Louisiana records as well as historical and genealogical articles. Over 100 libraries subscribe to this journal. Other publications include historical books such as Louisiana Soldiers in the War of 1812, Federal Census of 1810 for Territory of Orleans, A Guide to Printed Sources for Genealogical and Historical Research in the Louisiana Parishes, Be it Known and Remembered: Bible Records (Volumes 1-5), The Savages Creed: Chronicles of the Adai Caddo Warriors, and Early Louisiana Families. Visit us at www.laghs.com.

This release was published on openPR.