I have been trying to determine the best way to do this blog. After much contemplation I decided to do this person by person. I won’t include my folks since they are still alive, so I will start with my Grandparents on my Mom’s side. This is my French/Cajun/Scottish descent, primarily. I have pics of some, but not for all.

Leopold Alfred Dejean – Maternal Grandfather.

He was born in Opelousas, Louisiana, on February 9, 1898. Father was Jean Baptiste Dubousquet Dejean.Mother was Louise Voorhies, a descendant of Stephen Coerte Van Voorhees who came to the New World in1660. He was part of a fairly large family with 6 brothers and sisters: Olympe Ellen Estella, Verlie Galdys Mary, Louise Armide, Hubert Wallace, Elaine Elizabeth, and Norma Jeanne. (Two who died at age one day: Joseph and Olympe Estelle). Leo was the first of his family to attend and graduate from college – attending what is today University of Louisiana, Lafayette. He served in World War I and fought in France. On a tape he made before he died he remembered how hard it was to climb hilly streets of cobblestone in hobnailed boots. He worked as a detective in New Orleans for several years where he met my grandmother, Maggie Mae Cox. They were married April 17, 1924. They traveled to Pensacola for their honeymoon. After marriage they lived on Broadway in New Orleans not far from the site of Audubon Zoo. They were here when my mother was born in 1925. My grandfather worked as a salesman after they were married, mostly for Fiske Oil Company. In the early 1940s they moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, where they lived until their deaths. My grandfather died October 8, 1981. He lived long enough to be a great-grandfather.

My grandfather was a great cook, a wonderful grandfather, a traveler, a fighter, a husband and Dad. He loved to have fun and took all life could give him.

Please bear with me. I will scan my handwritten charts until I can figure out how to put a proper chart in th blog.