Collaborations
Preserving Pointe Coupée’s Historical Original Records 1771-1880s
Julie has volunteered her services for over two decades, spearheading the much-needed preservation effort with the Clerk of Court for over 50 volumes of Original Acts in dire need of preservation. During this effort, grant and other funding has been obtained for a number of volumes; the Clerk’s funds are expected to preserve the additional volumes over the next two years.
The records are a lens into the past from a significant agricultural community in Louisiana illustrating a way of life, culture and those who made an impact on the development of North America, the Louisiana colony and the United States. Written in French, Spanish and English, the records span from the Spanish era, the Louisiana Purchase, the process and transition to statehood for Louisiana, the Antebellum, Civil War and Reconstruction eras. The records recount the plantation economy, slave sales, slave purchases, two significant slave rebellions, land sales, land purchases, last will and testaments and succession [estate] proceedings.
Julie also works with a team who have been inputting data into an online searchable database from the Vendor-Vendee indexes from 1771-1880s. These invaluable indexes provide a roadmap to the original documents for research. When completed, this searchable database will be available to the public through the Pointe Coupée Parish Clerk of Court.
Funding needs now include the preservation of the numerous historical Judicial Court records which are currently tri-folded in files.
For further information, contact Julie at eshelmanleej@gmail.com
Louisiana Slave Conspiracies
A comprehensive website developed by a brilliant team at University of California at Berkeley illuminating the story of two of the largest slave conspiracies in Louisiana in 1791 and 1795 in Pointe Coupée Parish, Louisiana.
The site includes maps, translated and transcribed original documents, information on the places and people. Searchable database of the content.
Pointe Coupée’s 300 Years in the Making Tribute 1720-2020
To commemorate Pointe Coupée’s 300 years in the Making milestone 1720-2020, Creole West Productions worked with talented filmmaker Taylor Frey - a native of Pointe Coupée - who produced this commemorative short film. The tricentennial commemoration celebrated those who permanently settled Pointe Coupée.
We deeply thank those corporations and individuals who donated to the tribute. All donations - totaling $15,000 - were targeted to preserving volumes of Pointe Coupée’s historical records—providing a historical record legacy for future generations.