What a joy to visit the headquarters of the Peoria Tribe of Indians in Miami, Oklahoma, which the Kaskaskia Tribe joined with in the 1800’s! Unfortunately, there are no more living Kaskaskia descendants but the ones with mixed heritage like us (the Vidrine Family) who descend from Marie Rouensa. The first

Today is the feast of St. Stephen, the Deacon and first Martyr of the Church. He was martyred in Jerusalem around the year 34ad. Jean-Baptiste Lapaise de Védrines and Elisabeth’s second son was named after him – Etienne Vidrine dit Lapaise (1770–1849). Etienne was born on June 15, 1770 at

Today is the feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The connection between two churches named in honor of her Immaculate Conception and the Vidrine family in LA is very strong. The church at Kaskaskia, IL is named Immaculate Conception Church. The first stone church was built

Today (December 7) is the feast of St. Ambrose (340-395) Bishop of Milan (Italy). While there were several men named after him in South LA, there are at least a few from the Vidrine Family with his name. Interestingly, they all descend from the line of Antoine Vidrine and Josephine

I recently discovered the story of St. Landry Parish Jayhawker Ozeme Carriere (1831-1865). He was the brother in law of my third great grandfather, Andre Zenon Vidrine (1824-1898), whose first wife was Pauline Carriere (1817 – b/t 1861-1867). They had six children before Pauline died and Andre Zenon Vidrine remarried.

This past week was the anniversary of the death of Fr. Flavius Henri Rossi. As the Priest serving St. Landry Church in Opelousas from 1817 until 1839, he ministered to many from the Vidrine family, baptizing, marrying, and burying many of Jean Baptiste Lapaise de Védrines’ children and grandchildren. Both