In this her latest book; Ms. Mills-Nichol has written about the French Jewish immigrants from the Bas-Rhin who settled in forty-nine of the sixty-four Louisiana parishes over the course of the last two centuries. She begins by explaining the special pitfalls of Jewish genealogical research; then goes on to show how to use both French and English on-line records in order to unlock the secrets of long-departed ancestors. Ms. Mills-Nichol includes four case studies as examples of how to tackle certain genealogical brick walls. While the novice researcher can expect to unlock many secrets from the past; there will also be many frustrations in store for him; many unanswered questions; and some details which may take years to uncover. Patience is the watchword for the competent genealogist. The remainder of the book is devoted to the study of over six hundred Jewish immigrants who left from places in the Bas-Rhin; Alsace; such as Strasbourg; Haguenau; Hoenheim; Harskirchen; Rothbach; Ingwiller; Schirrhoffen; Schliethal; and Oberlauterbach; to name just a few. Some unlucky souls never even completed the journey. They may have died of disease in European ports while awaiting passage; or perished at sea during the arduous voyage. Those lucky enough to arrive did not always settle in New Orleans. Many journeyed still farther inland to big towns such as Shreveport; Baton Rouge; Alexandria; Opelousas; Donaldsonville or smaller villages like Chackbay; Waterloo; Livonia; Mansura; Hohen Solms; Bunkie; Berwick; Big Cane; Bayou Goula; or Pointe-à -la-Hâche. Still others were employed as store keepers on plantations such as Azima; Belmont; Cinclare; Cora; Cote Blanche; Cypress Hall; Live Oak; and Tezcuco. While many of them prospered in Louisiana; others suffered unspeakable tragedies in their adopted homeland. Some were murdered. Others ended their own lives. A frightening number of them succumbed to cholera; typhoid; or yellow fever; many within a few years of their arrival. Whatever their story; the reader cannot help but be caught up in the drama of the existence of these immigrants who risked everything to start anew in Louisiana.
#611206 in Books Destiny Books 2010-06-24 2010-06-24Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x .80 x 6.00l; 1.04 #File Name: 1594773327288 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy CustomerI love this book and all the teachings! There's nothing like this out there. Thank you!1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Great preservation of Yoruba patakÃBy Jonathan BakerOcha'ni Lele did a wonderful job of retelling many of the tales of the Odu during their lives on earth. So many followers of the Lucumi faith only focus on the main Orisha and I think often forget about the lesser deities and even the important Odu individually. The author was able to handcraft an assortment of various stories on each one; maintaining some of the tribal; primitive elements while modernizing the stories all at the same time - making for a wonderful preservation of the Yoruba patakÃ. I expect this book to be one handed down as a learning tool to each person who is to learn the ways of the religion in addition to learning the system of diloggun divination. The lively; easy to read stories; will capture newcomers and maybe even help exploit the Lucumi religion for the better. Thank you; Stuart; for your amazing contribution. I want an autographed copy ;)0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Beautiful writing!By JfinalI own several of Ocha'ni Lele's books and this has just become my favorite. By way of patakis; we gain knowledge and deeper understanding of the teachings of Santeria.The huge body of patakis have historically been passed from generation to generation verbally. As such; the risk of losing some is a real one. Thanks to Ocha'ni Lele; this risk has greatly been minimized. These stories allow the reader to comtemplate the odu's deeper meanings; and to clearly see the beauty and depth of this religion and its teachings. Each body of odu is analyzed; out of many; many patakis; Ocha'ni shares the most important for each odu. By doing so; a picture is painted in the reader's mind which allows for a deeper understanding. This is a vital addition to my personal library.Thank you; Ocha'ni!!
