Seminars

Each year the Lafourche Heritage Society presents a one-day seminar on topics relating to genealogy and history. Past presenters have included historians, genealogists, archivists, prominent community members, and researchers, who have spoken on a wide range of topics relating to Louisiana history. The event also features booksellers as well as exhibits created by Society members to highlight their history or genealogy. Participants and members are invited to bring their family history charts to share information.

46th Annual LHS Seminar was held Saturday, August 3, 2024

The Seminar was held at the Thibodaux Regional Wellness Center at
726 N. Acadia Road (5th Floor), Thibodaux, LA 70301.

Speakers were:

Hunt Downer – Veterans of the Lafourche-Terrebonne Region & Military Museum

Alan Gauthreaux – Italian Louisiana: History Heritage & Tradition

Jari Honora, CG® – “Enslaved People, Free People of Color, Sugar Planters, and a Mayflower Yankee: Documentary Research + DNA Reveal the History of a Louisiana Family.” 

Brian Costello – Créole Mosaic: Various Ethnic Groups of Pointe Coupée Parish

Martha Aubert – Louisiana Connections to the Orphan Train

PRICE: $40 per person (deadline July 27th).

The 2024 seminar was a huge success with 107 attendees! Please plan to attend in 2025!

Some photos of the 2024 Seminar are below

Photos of Annual Genealogy and History Seminar – 2024

LHS Seminar Vendors
2024 LHS Seminar crowd
2024 LHS Seminar attendees
A large crowd of 107 attendees
A large crowd of 107 attendees
Speaker Brian Costello
Speaker Brian Costello
LHS VP Beth Plaisance presents Jay Schexnaydre with Himel Service Award
Vice President Beth Plaisance presenting the 2024 Himel Service Award
LHS President Diane Frost presenting Lance Ledet with Historic Preservation Award for his home on St. Philip St.
LHS Board Member & Historic Preservation Chairperson Lee Warren presenting Robert & Robin Wittmann with a Historic Preservation Award for their residence at 219 West 7th Street in Thibodaux
Speaker Jari Honora, CG
LHS Board Member & Historic House Committee Chairperson Lee Warren speaking about the history of the Picou-Wittmann House
Speaker Martha Aubert
Speaker Martha Aubert
Speaker Brian Costello
LHS President Diane Forst presenting Al Robichaux Jr with a certificate of appreciation for being a speaker at more LHS Seminars in the past 46 years than any other person. He first spoke in 1978 and last spoke in 2023.
LHS President Diane Forst presenting Al Robichaux Jr with a certificate of appreciation for being a speaker at more LHS Seminars in the past 46 years than any other person. He first spoke in 1978 and last spoke in 2023.
Food was delicious
LHS Board Member, Jay Schexnaydre was named the 2024 Edward & Anna Himel Service Award recipient
LHS Vice President Beth Plaisance presenting Jay Schexnaydre with the 2024 Himel Service Award
LHS President Diane Frost presenting Lance Ledet the Historic Preservation Award
The Ledet House is located at 714 St. Philip St. in downtown Thibodaux
Jari Honora, CG
Jari Honora, CG
LHS Board Member Clifton Theriot introducing speaker Jari Honora, CG
Speaker Alan Gautreaux
Speaker Alan Gautreaux
Speaker Hunt Downer recounted the contributions of LHS Board Member E. Gordon Whyte, Jr’s father and namesake
Speaker Hunt Downer
Speaker Hunt Downer
Speaker Alan Gautreaux also sold his books
Ann & Dan Brett selling Ann’s book, The Disease along with the Orphan Train Museum table
LHS President Dianne Frost welcoming attendees
Two of our 2024 speakers Brian Costello & Jari Honora, CG
Johnny Soulé & Jess Bergeron selling at the Terrebonne Genealogy Society table
local vendor
local author Chad LeBlanc selling several of his books
Terrebonne Genealogy Society book selection
gotta have that coffee!
Books for Silent Auction benefiting Nicholls Archives
Books for Silent Auction benefiting Nicholls Archives
Jared Wells (LHS Board Member) working the registration table
GACHGS table
ready to go!
early morning before the crowds arrived