Our common ancestors, Paul Dion and Philoméne Albert were born as slaves, in St. James Parish, Louisiana. They were married December 11, 1866, at St. Stephen's Church, and settled at 4826 Perrier Street in New Orleans. The house they lived in and raised their eight children, is still standing in the Garden District of New Orleans. Click HERE to look at various documents we have about our ancestors. (UPDATE) We have obtained a copy of the first US Census that our family is listed on - the 1870 Census, as well as a few others from the 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930 Federal Census.

Paul Dion was born on a plantation located in St. James Parish (county) outside of New Orleans in 1838. His mother's name was Eulalie Jean-Jacques. He was listed on military papers as an "Octoroon", which meant he was one eighth Black. We don't know when he was freed, but he joined the Union Army on August 10, 1863 serving in Company B 7^th Regiment US Heavy Artillery (Colored). Jimmy Mason, our military expert, tells me this was very unusual for a Black to serve in the Artillery! We have a copy of his warrant (field promotion document) which gave him the rank of Sergeant on June 21, 1863. Paul was discharged Feb 8, 1866 from Company B 10th Regiment US Heavy Artillery. Sometime after his discharge but before marriage, Paul abandoned the Dion surname, taking the name of his birth father, Boucré. He likely had brothers and sisters, but we do not know anything about them right now. I have located a Clement and Victor Dion (from St. James) that served with him in the same regiment, so perhaps there is a connection. According to his death certificate, he died on May 18, 1906, in New Orleans, of tuberculosis. 

Philoméne was born January 17, 1846, in St James parish (county) in Convent, LA.; this town is about 50 miles west of New Orleans. According to her baptism certificate, Mrs. Tina Guidry was listed as her owner, and her mother was listed as Mathilda a slave. According to Philoméne death certificate, her father's name was Thomas Albert, also born in St James Parish; and  her mother Mathilda's birthplace was listed as an unknown county in Virginia.  She probably had brothers and sister, but once again, we do not know anything about them or their descendants yet. She moved to Chicago, IL. with her daughter Bernadette in 1919 or so. She died on October 4, 1925 and is buried at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery in the south-suburban Chicago area. Sadly, there is no grave marker or tombstone for her yet... wait till I win the lottery!

They had eight children; the fourth child, Matilda died as a young child, and the sixth Edward, died at age 20. They  have no descendants. Below is all the information and dates that I have been able to find on the eight offspring. Soon, we hope to have pictures, and complete dates for all of them. You can help this effort by getting as much information as possible such as: birth, baptismal, marriage and death certificates, then forwarding the info to me!

1. Albert Boucree, spouse - Rachel (Dupree)
born: 10/1867 in New Orleans
died: 11/25/1938 in Chicago
married: 12/12/1889 in New Orleans

2. Albertine [Boucree], spouse - James Jefferson Mason (My great grandmother!)
born: 2/9/1870 in New Orleans
died: 5/19/58 in Chicago
married: 8/30/1894 in New Orleans

3. Paul Stanice Boucree, spouse - Rachel (Dauphine)
born: 4/29/71 in New Orleans
died: 3/28/1948 in New Orleans
married: 4/28/1897 in New Orleans

4. Matilda Boucree
born: 1874, died: 3/30/1889 in New Orleans

5. Samuel Boucré, spouse - Gussie (Bradford)
born: 9/21/76 in New Orleans
died: 12/1/1950 in Oakland, CA
married: 11/28/1901 in New Orleans

6. Edward Boucree
born: 9/2/1879, died: 2/2/1900 in New Orleans 

7. Bernadette Boucree
born:3/31/82 in New Orleans
died:12/1975 in Cassopolis, MI

8. Sidonia [Boucree] Adams, spouse - Arnold Adams
born: 10/4/1886 in New Orleans
died: 12/9/1984 in Cassopolis, MI
married: 9/22/1910 in New Orleans

It has been my extreme pleasure to have met or spoken by phone to cousins from all six of these branches. We have such a great family!!! There are over 640 of us scattered in 26 states. Most of us are concentrated in the following areas: New Orleans, Chicago, Southwest Michigan, and LA area. Here is some information I have on the six branches. I hope you all will provide me with additional information to expand on each branch. If you want a tree that is not currently on this site,  please email me, or wait until we post it.

Albert Branch - Approximate number 80

This branch includes the sub-branches of: Veria [Boucree] Barnes, Joseph Boucree, and Blanche [Boucree] Thomas.

Albertine Branch - Approximate number 304

Sub branches include DuParts (where I come from), Masons, Johnsons, and Barbers. Our branch is quite large because Maude [Mason] DuPart had 11 children and James Mason had 10. Carrying on the tradition was my Mom - Rae [DuPart] Bowles with 7 kids, and her brother Paul DuPart with 8 kids.

Paul Branch - Approximate number - 119

This is comprised of the Thaddeus Boucree, LaGarde, and Chapman-Harrison branches.

Sam Branch - Number unknown

You will notice Sam changed the spelling of his name by dropping an e and adding the accent. This was the spelling originally used by his father Paul. Sam moved to the San Francisco area sometime after Paul's death in 1906. His son, Ralph (died 1998) is the only one I spoke with, and he would not give me any info on his family including his sister Olga who I found out died in 2001. But Ralph did lead me to Edgar Boucree in the LA area!!!

Bernadette Branch - Approximate number 42

Includes the Anna Allen and George Howard branches.

Sidonia Branch - Approximate number 97

This branch includes offspring of Eula MacNeal and the Adams branch.

Eventually the web site will have sections for each of the six branches!!! But if you are handy with web developing software and would like to create an html page or link to your own site, please email me by clicking on my picture below, or the Webmaster link.

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