Support provided by:
The Case:
A History Detectives fan from Chicago recently unearthed a French manuscript rolled in a cardboard tube.
The surname "Duplessis," the name of his great-grandmother's mother-in-law, is jotted in a margin and "Rouzan,” his grandmother's maiden name, appears at the bottom of another page.
No one in the family knows anything about it, but our contributor, who reads a little French, thinks he has a collection of love poems, possibly written to one of his relatives. What is this? And why has his family kept it for 160 years?
History Detectives ventures into the little known world of the Creoles of Color to unlock a family mystery.
Creole Poem Manuscript
The contributor’s manuscript contained many poems written by the Creoles of Color. This poem “Jalousie” by the Creole of Color, Armand Lanusse, also appears in Les Cenelles, although the order of the second and third couplets are reversed and numbered incorrectly. The transcription contains a few careless mistakes, suggesting the work was done in haste.
Related Content
Feature:
Technique:
Technique:
Technique:
Technique:
Related Links
Explore
-
Also in Expansion: 1801-1861
Annie Oakley Coin
Was this coin a target for one of the Wild West's most popular female sharpshooters?
-
Also with Gwen Wright
Lauste Film Clip
How is this odd strip of film connected to the invention of talking movies?
-
Related Investigation
Seth Eastman Painting
Is this painting a true depiction of Native American life from one of the premiere painters of the American West?
-
Also in Season 7
WWII Diary
Does this diary hold the key to understanding the fate of a missing bomber pilot from World War II?
-
Related Investigation
Moon Museum
Was work by major artists, including Andy Warhol, smuggled to the moon?
-
Also with Gwen Wright
Marshall House Flag
Did this piece of fabric come from a flag that cost a Union colonel his life?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.
Anyone wishing to submit an artifact for investigation should do so through Submit a Story.
- Submit your StoryDo you have an object from Expansion: 1801-1861? Submit your story now.
- Latest CommentIt turns out that this collage was sold last fall: http://www.worthpoint.com/wort... I wonder if it would be possible to contact the buyer by way of the auction house about getting a print made. (6 months ago)
- Twitterremember this investigation with @TukufuZuberi @elyseluray Tonight they reunite! Let us know your thoughts! @PBS http://t.co/4KMnc27K (1 year ago)
- FacebookCongrats on your exhibit, TZ! Here's a Washington Post article about the exhibit, everyone, and the great story TZ and Elyse did on his "Our Colored Heroes" story. http://tinyurl.com/mzpuyo8 http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigation/our-colored-heroes/ (6 months ago)