I have cousins in Turkey Creek that pronounce their last
name as "He-bert" instead of Hébert. We’re
the same family but those Héberts married into the Scot/Irish families of
northern Evangeline Parish and they pronounce their name the English way. Our Hébert family is the only known Hébert
group that’s non-Acadian. Our line came
from Martigny le Comte in the Burgundy region of France. They came through New Orleans, then Pointe
Coupee and settled in Evangeline and Avoyelles parishes. Some also went into Rapides and some went to
Calcasieu Parish after an outbreak of yellow fever.
My Dad has our genealogy and he doesn’t have any Acadian
ancestors at all. He says that’s the
case for the majority of everyone in Evangeline Parish. And that’s why he’s hardcore about defining
himself as Creole and not Cajun. I
remember my Mom and Dad arguing about Cajun and Creole. My Mom would say they always called
themselves Cajun. My Dad would argue
back saying no, you don’t remember, your family would say Creole. My Mom stood her ground and say no, they
always said Cajun. I remember writing an email to Barry Ancelet
about the Cajun term for Evangeline Parish and he wrote back explaining all
kinds of things, including how culture is mainly transmitted from Moms and yes,
some Acadians did settle in Evangeline Parish.
I took it with a grain of salt and kept reading stuff. My Dad says Creole. My Mom says Cajun. But you know, Dad did Mom’s genealogy
too. We have Acadian ancestry. Not a lot but more than English, Irish and
Italian. And they’re all on Mom’s side
of the family. Now I have something else
to think myself to sleep.