GRSNO -

Marguerite Scully, a professional genealogical researcher and lecturer, will discuss “French Immigration to Louisiana,” at 7 p.m., Monday, April 21, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.

This presentation occurs as part of the regularly scheduled meeting of the Genealogical Research Society of New Orleans. It is free of charge and is open to the public. There is no registration.

Scully says that because of French immigration, and particularly the waves of French immigration that occurred at critical times in its history, Louisiana has maintained a reputation as the most French of all the States in the United States.

“To understand French immigration push and pull factors, we must by necessity take a dive into Louisiana history, as well as the history of societal, political, and economic upheaval and distress in France and its colonies,” she says. “The story of Louisiana is a fascinating story of changing governance as well as changing geographic boundaries - both of which resulted in changes to the very meaning of Louisiana as a place in time.”

This program will include a description of the major waves of French immigration to Louisiana from the early 1700s to the early 1870s, and how the history of Louisiana, France, and its colonies influenced those migration waves. The discussion of French immigration will not only include those French citizens who immigrated directly from France, but also those who came from other French colonies in North America such as the French Canadians, Acadians, and French West Indies Islanders.

Marguerite Scully is a professional genealogical researcher and lecturer. She is the current president of the St. Tammany Genealogical Society and former vice president of the Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Society.

For more information regarding this presentation, contact Chris Smith, Manager of Adult Programming for the library, at 504-889-8143 or wcsmith@jefferson.lib.la.us.