Louisiana Digital Library - Citizens Invited to Participate

Genealogists are always happy to hear about new document collections being digitized and made available online, especially those we can access without charge. A recent article on thenewsstar.com, "Digitization project aiming to preserve Louisiana's history," highlights the Louisiana Digital Library (LDL) collection, some "84,000 digital materials about Louisiana's history, people and places." Anyone can view items by visiting the LDL website.

What's unique about this project is that northeastern Louisiana citizens (and probably others with something to contribute) are invited to participate. The article states, 

"The equipment used in this project is also available to scan and save digital images of photographs and manuscripts belonging to northeastern Louisiana citizens.

What the project is interested in are items from the late 1800s and early 1900s that depict the following, home and family life, agriculture such as farming, ranching and timber, schools, churches and baptisms, sporting events, work and leisure activities, libraries, architecture and landmarks, transportation and natural disasters such as floods."

The scanning service is being made available through local libraries. The article provides information on who to contact, and assures participants that original materials will remain with the owner. "Your items will be scanned and handed back to you within moments," the article said.

Those with Louisiana ancestry, no doubt, will watch this collection with interest.

New Orleans: Destination or Stopover

In her article, "New Orleans: Destination or Stopover" Judy Rosella Edwards provides insight into the where passengers arriving at the Port of New Orleans might have been headed, and shows how passenger lists evolved over time in their level of detail. The article also indicates a German settlement near New Orleans, an area that remains today.

Making a Living in New Orleans

In her article, "Making a Living in New Orleans, Judy Rosella Edwards explores business enterprises in the city as early as 1823, by some accounts, second only to New York City. "Many of the business houses bore the name of their owners," a fact that can help family history researchers, in addition to a number of little known sources cited and linked in the article.

Religion in New Orleans

In her article, "Religion in New Orleans," Judy Rosella Edwards presents an overview of the religions and cultural mix of those arriving in New Orleans and of the many who stayed. Of course, "religion and segregation went hand in hand," in those early days. Jews were at one time banned from Louisiana, yet a strong Jewish presence continued and flourished. Catholic missionaries made significant contributions to the community, including an order of Catholic nuns that provided care and shelter to all. Many churches had their own cemeteries, a great resource for researchers.

New Orleans: Healthy Life in a New World

In her article, "New Orleans: Healthy Life in a New World," Judy Rosella Edwards provides an overview of perils of disease and loss of life faced by emigrants crossing the sea bound for New Orleans, perils faced emigrants bound for any port. The article reports, "It was not until the latter part of the 1800s that ships were required to have a physician on board. Sickness on the larger, more crowded boats could quickly become and epidemic -- and did."

The Arts in New Orleans

Continuing her series on New Orleans, in "The Arts in New Orleans," Judy Rosella Edwards reminds us of the great traditions in entertainment that take their roots from New Orleans and its diverse population. The article sheds light on researching ancestors who may have been among the many performers who came and went in New Orleans.

The Ethnicity of New Orleans Immigrants

Immigrants arriving at the Port of New Orleans in the mid-nineteenth century defy stereotype, suggests Judy Rosella Edwards in her article, "The Ethnicity of New Orleans Immigrants." While the Acadian and Creole populations may be most commonly associated with Louisiana, many others passed through the city gates, some stayed, others were on their way elsewhere. "There was clearly a Jewish presence prior to the mid-1800s," and many others. The article highlights a number of useful resources for researching the diverse groups entering this important southern gateway.

In her continuing series on New Orleans, Judy Rosella Edwards presents "New Orleans Immigrant Origins," suggesting resources and providing insight into the ethnic origins of those arriving at the Port of New Orleans in the mid- to late-1800s. It was interesting to note that a research group interested in German immigration had transcribed complete passenger lists of vessels carrying German passengers, even if only one passenger on board was German. A boon for other researchers, as well. Although not everyone who passed through New Orleans remained, it was an important point of immigration.

New Orleans Occupations, Part II -- a pattern emerges

In the second of her series on New Orleans, "New Orleans Occupations, Part II," Judy Rosella Edwards adds to her previous discussion on early occupations. The article explains the pattern emerging from a study of those occupations and what that can mean to your genealogical research.

http://gentod.com/genweekly.mv?cd=1545

New Orleans Revisited

Next month is the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, one of the most devastating hurricanes in the history of the United States. New Orleans has always been a fascinating city, with a rich history and cultural heritage. In her article, "New Orleans Revisted: Early Occupations," Judy Rosella Edwards begins a series exploring the city's historical and genealogical roots.

Louisiana Creole Cultural Conference, Set 22

A Times-Picayune article on Nola.com, "Conference on Creole culture starts Sept. 22," announces the Louisiana Creole Research Association, two-day conference, Sept. 22 and 23, with the theme "Louisiana Creoles of Color: Inspiration, Admiration and Race Relations" at the Chateau Sonesta Hotel in New Orleans. For information about the conference or LA Creole, go to www.lacreole.org.