Evangeline Parish. My Parish was named after the Acadian Heroine in Longfellow's poem way way back in the early 1900s. This was not done for tourism. Were there debates on what to name the new Parish? What, if any, were the options? There were fights for the Parish seat and I found articles on that. But I haven't found debates, if any, on what to call the new Parish. I did see that Cajun was spelled Cajan in old articles from the 1900s and found that interesting. Did the people of the area name the Parish or the State?
Distance.
Turkey Creek and Lake Cove in Evangeline are different from L'Anse Grise and Ville Platte.
Without knowing the history and genealogy of Turkey Creek one can say, after visiting, that Turkey Creek is Redneck. Is there more Scottish, Irish, or English history and genealogy for the town? I have no idea. But I do know that Turkey Creek is Redneck.
Without knowing the history and genealogy of L'Anse Grise one can say, after visiting, that L'Anse Grise is very Cajun. Is there more French, Canadian, or Acadian history and genealogy for the community?
Ok, now, how far is L'Anse Grise to Turkey Creek? 20 minutes? 30 minutes? It's not far and yet different communities.
Now, how far is L'Anse Grise to Breaux Bridge? to Church Point? to Iota? to Golden Meadow? It's a little further.
But, without knowing the history of Breaux Bridge, Church Point, Iota, Golden Meadow, Houma, Abbeville, etc, one after visiting, would easily say, "Man, that's Cajun!"
It's very real that one area will keep a culture from way back and an area just a few miles down the road will do that too but be different from each other.
I don't know the history of Turkey Creek but I do know that it's "Anglo."
L'Anse Grise is "Franco."
Turkey Creek and Ball, Louisiana are very similar. Both are Anglo and Redneck.
L'Anse Grise and Iota are very similar. Both are Franco and Cajun.
Ok, now, what is the meaning of Cajun again? Oh, yes. Acadian heritage. Of course! Let me learn more about my Acadian heritage. ......Yes! I got some Acadian ancestors and my neighbors too! But who the Hell are all those other French people?? I wonder if they spoke French or knew about Mardi Gras?
Well... shoot! Maybe Cajun just means rural Franco people.