My Life As A Web Ghoul...

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As a Special Education teacher, I know how important documentation is. In combination with my insatiable passion for history, you end up with an obsessive amateur genealogist. Such has been the life of this web ghoul, a name given to me by my husband, for the past twenty years. In my case, amateur refers to someone who pursues a study for the sheer love of it as opposed to the financial recompense.

Old genealogists never die; they just haunt cemeteries and lose their census. There are days when this just about sums up my genealogical undertakings.

I am proud to say that I am able to trace my roots, on both sides, back to the original Acadian settlers of early Acadie. All individuals of Acadian and Cajun descent will find themselves able to retrace their roots back to this same earliest group of hardy men and women who were willing to brave a new world for themselves and their families.

As shared within A Travel in Time to Grand Pré: My maternal grandparents were wed on September 1, 1930. They honeymooned at Grand Pré. Long intrigued with the pictures that were part of the family photo album, I knew that at one point in my life, I, too, would make the trek to Grand Pré. A premonition, if you will, it was something that I felt deep within my bones.

I found myself there the summer of 1998. Traveling with an Acadian cousin, I was dressed as Evangeline and he was dressed as Gabriel. Able to feel the enchantment of the park, I was drawn to the ancient willow trees that surrounded the pond. When I went looking for a visual for the cover of A Travel in Time to Grand Pré, I knew exactly what my heart was looking for.

I continue to receive compliments on the cover design of this book.

As I was exploring my maternal French Acadian ancestry, I discovered that I had some most intriguing connections back to New France (today known as the province of Québec). My 9th great grandmother, Catherine de Baillon, a fille du roi of minor French nobility, has proven connections all the way back to Charlemagne.

There are many who can also lay claim to Charlemagne as an ancestor, meaning that I, too, am related to them. Céline Dion. Former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. Napoleon. Sigourney Weaver. When I first shared this information with several family members, they thought that I was making it up. Remember, Matt? Feel free to visit one of my favorite websites in keeping with Royal Descents.

I provide many genealogical charts in A Travel in Time to Grand Pré that connect with several historical personages; namely,

[1] William I (of England) de St. Clair (7th Duke of Normandy) and Matilda (Maude) of Flanders, daughter of Count Baldwin V of Flanders and Princess Adela (Alix) Capet of France. Winning the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William (also known as The Conqueror) was crowned King of England.

[2] King Alfred (The Great) (of England) and Ealhswith (Alswitha) of the Gaini.

[3] Count Baldwin II of Flanders and Ælfhryth (Elfrida), daughter of King Alfred.

[4] King Charles I (Charlemagne) and Hildegard.

[5] Clovis I (The Great), of the Merovingian kings, and St. Clothilde of Burgundy.

Not listed in order of significance, all of these individuals figure into my maternal ancestry. While I shall be publishing my paternal ancestry within the year (Germain Doucet, Sieur de LaVerdure: Ancestry of Michele Doucette), I am not sure if I shall ever get a chance to finish researching my maternal roots. However, I continue to endeavor to try.

For those who are also addicted to genealogy, I am afraid to share this pertinent fact: we all belong to the geneaholic club. It is an addiction for which there is no cure. Until next time, thanks for stopping by.

Michele

Review: Attention Historians--A Travel in Time to Grand Pre May be YOUR Must-Read!

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A Travel in Time
to Grand Pre

By Michele Doucette


St. Clair Publications
ISBN: 9780980170467
238 Pages

A Travel in Time to Grand Pre by Michele Doucette was not in the least what I was expecting. Instead, it is a unique, fascinating plunge into history! It also explores genealogy, Biblical archaeology, metaphysics, and, most importantly, the French Acadians. I can guarantee that, for millions of people who may read this book, there will be information never heard before! Perhaps disturbing information; readers may automatically discount it or may willingly explore the extensively researched documentation. For this book is not just a novel, it is an exploration of the past sometimes dating back as early as 400 AD.

There is also mention of current DNA testing as it is used to prove and rewrite history... Do we dare to explore the possibilities of changing well-known beliefs? If you are willing, then this book should be considered a must-read.

It is rare for a reviewer to be able to say, "now where does the story really begin?" But that must be said! Can you go directly to the story without having been "set" into the historical significance of the story as has been done? Could I start on page 48 where there is a Special Message from Madeline Sinclair. Yes, after reading the earlier pages, perhaps I should begin there, for it is when Madeline Sinclair pays a visit to the statue of Longfellow's Evangeline, on August 15, 2005, after she had eaten traditional Acadian dishes in keeping with the Acadian Day celebration. It was also the day before Madeline would celebrate her 26th birthday, and began crying, not knowing why.

Was it the Dandelion wine? Whatever it was, she became afraid, there at the base of the statue, as she fought her dizziness and nausea...

Madeline opened her eyes on her birthday on August 16, 1754. The statue of Evangeline was gone as was everything else that had surrounded her at the Acadian celebration. It was in an ancient church that she met Madame Peche, another time traveler...

And so it began, Madeline had not left Grand Pre, except in time... It was her destiny; she had been brought to that place at that time for a specific reason. Madeline was astonished as Madame Peche told her all about herself, even to the point of knowing that she had a birthmark. It looked like a Templar cross. Madame Peche explained that "that, in and of itself, makes you the one."

And so it was that Madeline began the life of those living during the year 1754. They hid her backpack which had come across time with her and Madeline began to learn about everything that was happening.

She also soon met Michel. Fortunately she found him to her liking, because he was to become her husband, and there was much to learn and do...  Before they both returned...

Dare you learn what it is they brought back to the 21st century?

Michele Doucette has weaved an amazing tale. Perhaps you have read or heard of similar stories where two individuals meet from different times and fall in love. It is indeed somewhat of a simple love story...except...

You will also learn about the tragedy of the Acadian people when they refused to change their allegiance... and of so much more! I think one of the key issues of the book is that there is so much historical documentation provided in support of the story. Is it an alternative historical tale, perhaps fantasy based upon history, or the work of a research historian who has merged all of her research to arrive at a potential "new truth"?

No matter your final conclusion, A Travel in Time to Grande Pre by Michele Doucette is unlike anything I've ever read. And, in that, she has forced me to remember and to dwell upon her words often. Very unique; I've said before...I like unique...I hope my review helps you decide to read the book and decide for yourself!


Book Provided
By Author


G. A. Bixler

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