Jean Baptiste Legrand: His French Origins, Louisiana Descendants, and Relatives Around the World

Judy Riffel is a native and life-long resident of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She and her mother, Ann, became interested in genealogy during the United States Bicentennial. In tracing their roots, they discovered that all but one of their ancestors came to Louisiana prior to 1800. The latecomer was Judy’s maternal grandmother’s grandfather, a Frenchman named Jean Baptiste Legrand. Arriving in New Orleans in 1848, he settled on the banks of the Atchafalaya River among the Cajuns of South Louisiana. This is the story of his family, his life, and his descendants. Now a professional genealogist, Judy has authored and edited numerous books and articles on genealogy. Her research, which has spanned five decades, has culminated in this, her first family history book.