A New Year and a full
schedule ahead for Famille Trahan
By
Ray Trahan
On March 18, 2006 the Acadian Memorial
in St Martinville will honor our Hebert and Broussard Cousins as they
commemorate the reenactment of the arrival of Acadian Families at the
Attakapas in 1765. The event will feature reenactment of the arrival of
Acadian Ancestors, each portrayer dressed in a costume of that time period.
The program will continue with lectures, Arts and Crafts, Cajun Cooking,
displays, and Cajun Music (Note schedule, page 2 of Newsletter).
Program will kick off at 10:00 am and continue till
5:00 pm. We urge all members to attend and to bring friends and relatives.
Keep in mind, that the survival of our Acadian Memorial and Museum relies on
strong support of us Cajuns! I would also mention, that having looked at
many of your genealogy, most of you (and us) have both Broussard and Hebert
in your line, so it is truly honoring us as well.
On April 22, 2006 we, the Famille Trahan Association, will host a gathering
of Trahan, Comeaux, Bourg, Thibodeaux, and other familes desiring to
particpate; times 10:00 am till 1:30 pm, and at the Woodmen of World Hall
in Maurice (direction: 1/4 mile west of the only signal light in Maurice,
the Hall is on the South side of La. Hwy 92.
The gathering will feature two researchers from Nova Scotia, Mary Beanland
and Dick Thibodeau. Mr. Thibodeau has conducted research of Thibodeau
Homesteads and Villages in early Acadie. The two will brief on their
searches, and the results of their research. Each family attending will be
allowed display their genealogy and merchandise.
We will conclude our meeting with a meal jambayla and extras; those who are
able to, are asked to bring a dessert. The cost of meal will be $5 per
person for all those over age 12 years, all those under age of 12 will be
free.
Bits and pieces
By Loubert Trahan
THE GENES
THAT BIND (Reprint in part from Newsweek Magazine)
From health to history, the science of DNA is changing the narratives of
people’s lives as they discover who they really are and where they really
come from. By unlocking the secrets of our blood, we are tracing our
genuine family roots, and the lessons range from our propensity for disease
to the truth that we are all a lot more alike than we may have thought. It
is connecting lost cousins and giving families surprising glimpses into
their pasts. Now scientists are using it to answer the oldest question of
all: Where did we really come from? Who were Guillaume's ancient
ancestors?
For
a more complete treatise on this subject, please look up the article in
Newsweek of February 9, 2006. When scientists trace humanity’s genetic
roots back to their origins, all roads lead to Africa. Studying mutations
in “Y” chromosomes and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has also let them
reconstruct tribal migrations throughout the globe. Is this the path back
to “Adam and Eve."
The most ambitious effort by far is the National Geographic Society’s $40
million Genographic Project, which aims to collect 100,000 DNA samples from
populations around the world over the next five years. The goal is to trace
human roots from the present day back to the origin of our species. Other
organizations are also getting involved.
The Trahan Family Association, along with several other Acadian families, is
very much in favor of joining this research. We would hope that this would
define the origin of our ancestors. Were they Celts? Norsemen? Romans?
Apes? Some of the research so far has indicated that migrants 45,000 years
ago bore a mutation that spread in time to Asia, Europe and the Americas.
In fact Europe, including France, was populated by the first Central Asian
migration into Europe about 35,000 years ago. Many Europeans still bear the
mutation they carried. Africa is another story: Following the path from
our “Y”
chromosomes and "mtDNA" back to a common source ends in a male and a female
ancestor referred to as “Adam and Eve.” Interesting” You Bet!!!