Thibodeaux takes on unique Acadiana history

William Thibodeaux is known throughout Acadiana as a genealogist, amateur historian, leader of the French table in Rayne, compiler of Cajun French words and as the guy who relates fascinating tales of Cajun Country every month at Hospice of Acadiana. All of these attributes resulted in his book, “Hidden History of Acadiana” by The History Press, now on bookstore shelves.

Thibodeaux is a native of Rayne, a veteran of Vietnam and a longtime employee of Southern Pacific Railroad, where he collected and wrote stories of early railroad men. He leads a French table group every Saturday morning in Rayne titled “la table Française de Rayne et histoire” and selects and routinely compiles a list of about 30 Cajun French words and phrases that are audio-video recorded and archived at UL’s Dupré Library. His monthly history talks at Hospice of Acadiana in Lafayette (also taped) range from true crime to famous Acadiana residents.

This past year he was inducted into the Acadian Museum of Erath’s Living Legends. (Read more about that here.)

“Hidden History of Acadiana” include many of the stories Thibodeaux has assembled over the years, from the improbable Thoroughbred Twenty-Twoinit, which defied odds and burned Vegas odds makers at Evangeline Downs to the destitute Reconstruction-era Cajuns who sought
recompense from the federal government after the Civil War. The book features stories of yellow fever, interesting Acadiana terrain, serial killers and, of course, the railroad.

Thibodeaux will be signing "Hidden History of Acadiana" from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Barnes and Noble, 5705 Johnston St. in Lafayette. There will be a short PowerPoint presentation at the rear of the store.

Louisiana Book News is written by award-winning author Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her first book in each series is FREE to download as an ebook, including "Emilie," book one of The Cajun Series, "Ticket to Paradise," book one of The Cajun Embassy series and "A Ghost of a Chance," the first Viola Valentine mystery.