Rt. 1
Almyra, Ark. 72003 
1 Apr 1977

Albert J. Robichaux, Jr. 
780 Terry Parkway 
Gretna, La. 70053

Dear Mr. Robichaux:

Thank you for your prompt reply to my Inquiry about Michel on the LaFourche Bayou. 
Like you I could not identify 'Bonne Terre' but knowing that many times places 
that were once are no more, thought it would mean something to someone that had 
worked more with the area.  The source was Goodspeed's of E Mo..."Joseph Michel 
came from Bonne Terre, La. soon after the town was established (New Madred)...."
As you know...Goodspeed is often wrong!   Like you, I could find Terrebonne. 
However, I still think the Francisco Michel entry in your census of Valenzuela in 
1795 MAY be the same as the one later in Arkansas.   Enclosed is a copy of a record 
from the only fragment I know of for the records of the Notary at the Post in the 
early years....and the land Francois claims Joseph sold that belonged to Francois 
is "situated in the county of Lafourche in the territory of Orleans as it now is"... 
which was 1811.

With your knowledge of this area, if the Francisco Michel is the same....where 
would you look for records of the party enumerated in 1795 in the census you 
transcribed in your book???   I sure will appreciate suggestions and/or comments.

For the record... I am not related to anyone found in the Mississippi Valley during 
the period I research...personal background eastern seaboard until well after 
the La. Purchase and family only came south from Iowa in 1920.   I have worked with 
these early ones in Arkansas until I feel like they are 'family',  however.

I was really surprised to hear that you descend from Joseph Francoeur.   I have 
considerable on his family and have traced some of his descendants who remained 
here.  Knew that St. Charles was where his wife died...and how wonderful when Mr. 
Conrad published the abstract of the records!    I am also familiar with the Arkansas 
storekeeper Lehoux killed in the Natchez massacre whose widow then m. J. Contrelle. 
But...right now I cannot place Chenier...but then when you copy every name you run 
across even remotely linked to an area. ..it is easy to misplace one now and then! 
Please enlighten me.
							    (that I have located so far) 
Back to FRANCOEUR...the earliest indication of them in Ark./is the record of the 
interment of Catherine, native of Arkansas, 30 years old, wife of Pierre Perthuis 
called LaGeneury....3 Oct 1772 in St. Louis Cathedral, N.0.   If Catherine's 
age correct, the family would have been here in 1742....Just looked at notes.... 
there's CHENIER..at least one married one of Joseph's daughters...but I did not 
have him as having been in Arkansas.   Anyway...two things have continued to elude 
me...Joseph's nativity,why he was in Arkansas...and his wife's name. Every record 
I have found either is blank or illegiblle. Have you solved!???  I do not read 
either French or Spanish so experience much frustration as I find records, recognize 
pertinent because names so indicate but have to rely on others to get the meat. 
There something about Susanna Francoeur and the family ca 1800 in the 12 rolls of 
microfilm that cur History Commission has of Notre Dame records.   Someday I will 
figure out a way to learn what!   I would appreciate any sharing you will do on 
this line, I know you have all the St. Charles Parish records but maybe I have 
some other items you donft have.  If so, inquire..happy to share.

Yes...copies of the abstract of Ark. records that I sent to Alice Forsyth are still 
available.  I have nothing to do with the 'marketing'... I did all the work but gave 
to our local historical society...order from Mrs. Sibyl Hightowerc P. 0. Box 122, 
Gillett, Ark. 72055... $8.00 pstpd.