Welcome !!!

The National Grand Family Heritage Foundation is an Educational Organization for Preserving Louisiana's French-Creole History and Heritage.  

One such historical event worthy of preserving is an extended, multi-family reunion tradition of descendants of "Grand Families" of Louisiana  - DUPRE, GOUDEAU, LACOUR, METOYER, & RAY.   In this case, The Foundation website will serve as a clearinghouse of educational information and may sponsor related educational endeavors within its mission.

The next, historic 30th-Year Anniversary of Grand Family Reunions is set for July 8-10, 2011 in Natchitoches and Cane River, Louisiana.  Through future donations and fundraisers, the Foundation will be suited to sponsor and finance educational events and activities that help preserve the history and heritage of the historic Grand Families of Louisiana.

One historic "Grand Famiy" was a network of "nearly 100 first cousins" of my grandmother and grandfather who originated primarily out of Cane River, Goudeau, and Lebeau areas of Louisiana.  These families, though not all are related to each other, maintained an extended-family reunion tradition starting in 1981 in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Central to the loving bond of the Grand Family was one of the "original first cousins," Ethel Lacour Goudeau. Her love of her family sparked in her daughter, Marilyn Goudeau Guidry, the idea to have the first Grand Family Reunion in the early 1980s.   I also understand that Cousin Clara Dell Jones also had that same great idea at the same time!  Great minds think alike!  :) 

Less than 20 years old and intensely driven to "know my people," my first recollection of the idea occurred in my mother's home where she had a beauty shop.  Mom and Cousin Neola Ray Joe were VERY close.  She was also Neola's Cosmetologist and they saw each other and spoke very often.  I often listened into the "history talks" in the beauty shop and learned alot that way - listening to my mom, grandmother, and Cousin Neola Ray Joe (another original first cousin to BOTH my mother's parents) pieced together the web of who our people were.  During one of these many discussions, my mom suggested we have a family reunion.  The excitement began and all agreed that  "Cousin Neola" Ray Joe was the VERY BEST to  Chair the Reunion.  (( Stay tuned for more information about the history of Reunion Founder, Neola Ray Joe, to be compiled by her daughters )))

The ball started rolling quickly, and a committee was formed,  I personally assisted Cousin Neola by organizing the attendee, writing all correspondences that went out to family, writing the program for the reunion, and writing the 1981 booklet,  "Back to Our Roots" - the first booklet on the history of the Grand Families.  For writing the history book, Cousin Neola named me "Grand Family Historian" and gave me an award for that in 1981.

Much more appreciation goes to the memories and shared research of many persons, including Neola Ray Joe, Jackie Rideau Griffin, Alphonse Lacour, Leatter Dupre Coutii, etc. Many others who served on the first committee made significant and important contributions, making the 1981 Reunion a great success (more soon!).  

My grandmother, Ethel Lacour Goudeau, conveyed to me the names of the "original first cousin," and was the most knowledgeable about our extended family genealogy and history for all five bloodlines!   Grandma had four of the bloodlines (Dupre, Goudeau, Lacour, & Metoyer). She married Warrington Bernard Goudeau, Sr. (a Goudeau & Ray descendant), so my mother, Marilyn, and all her siblings and descendants have all five bloodlines! Thus, many of the original family members invited to the first reunion came from the address book of my grandmother. Ethel Lacour Goudeau, who" LOVED her people."  For that, Ethel is indeed "The Heart of the Grand Family ." 

Grand Family Branch - Marilyn Goudeau Guidry (seated in middle) is the Honorary Hostess of the Grand Family Reunion 2011. To the right of her is Sister Doris Goudeaux. They are surrounded by Marilyn's family branch. Photo taken at the 2008 Grand Family Reunion in Oklahoma City

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On behalf of the Foundation, enjoy the new website!  "Contact Us" to submits comments and suggestions, and "CREATE AN ACCOUNT" to subscribe to electronic updates (NGFHF E-News) that you can share with your family branch.   Also, consider financially supporting the Foundation in it's important mission. 

Finally, bookmark this website and check it often as we make updates and take the journey toward the GRAND FAMILY REUNION 2011: Celebrating 30th Years on Cane River!  That's something we can all be proud of!!!

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!!!
(Let the good times roll) :)

"Cousin Mark"

Harlan "Mark" Guidry
President, National Grand Family Heritage Foundation
Chair, Grand Family Reunion 2011: Celebrating 30 Years!