NOLA, Public Library and the Quarter

Yesterday we got a chance to see the renovations on Grace's house. I couldn't believe how nice it looked. They were hoping to be back in the house once we started the trip, but due to some set backs, they were not able to be. Things have actually picked up since we got here and they may be able to move in while we were in Lake Providence. So, it's answered prayer that they'll be home while we are here and that we'll get to stay in the "new" house before we leave.

We then traveled to the New Orleans Public Library. The main library has a whole Louisiana division with a lot of genealogy documents. While we were there, we looked at various parish specific records as well as Orleans Parish specific records. We also printed many obituaries for family members who died in the New Orleans area. We didn't find a lot of stuff in the parish records, but it was still a valuable experience because we will be able to use what they have on file rather than venturing to several parish courthouses to obtain the information.

After we left the library, we headed back to the French Quarter so RaiChel could see more. We got gifts and souvenirs on Bourbon Street and stopped by my favorite black art store, the Black Heritage Gallery. After that, we took a stroll down Bourbon Street although there was still a bad stench from Mardi Gras. I'll have to tell some of you aboutthe revelation that I got about that. From there, we headed to Acme Oyster House and got po-boys so RaiChel could have one. Jean and I got oyster and shrimp, Raichel got a shrimp and catfish one. It was pretty good. We use to go to a place called We Never Close, but since Katrina, I've been told the sandwiches aren't as good.

After that, we headed back to the house and interviewed Alice and Little Freddy about their experiences during and after Hurricane Katrina. It was amazing to sit there and listen to them talk about it. Big Freddy rented When The Levees Broke so RaiChel could see it. I hadn't seen it since it aired, but I'm glad I watched it here with some of the survivors because I gained new insights. We capped the night off with some more Blue Bell Ice Cream. This time we had the banana pudding flavor.

We are now sad because RaiChel leaves in a few hours. We really don't want her to leave and wish she could stay with us for the duration of the trip, but alas, Minneapolis calls. We'll be going to the Trolley Stop Cafe for breakfast this morning and then after that, dropping RaiChel off at the airport. Then, Jean and I will head to Jackson, MS. This is where the bulk of our research starts as we'll be heading to the Mississippi State Archives. We will be there until Friday when we will head to Vidalia, LA to the courthouse to search for information on our father's families. Our cousin Hattie is going to meet us there. After that, we are heading to Lake Providence.