• Common culture connects Plaquemine, Canada village 
• France-to-Louisiana migration of Cajuns traced 
• Guidry, Robichaux families to close area Congrès reunions 
• Genealogical database allows descendants far away 
        to be part of FrancoFete celebration
• Speaker takes mystery out of Cajun x-factor Cajun surnames
• Congres arrives sans Canadian influx
• Acadian image often distorted

                     There's been at least one Guidry at St. Francis de Sales Catholic
                     Church in Houma since it formed 151 years ago, according to the
                     family's history.

                     So, it only makes sense that the Guidry and Petitpas family reunion
                     is scheduled to start this Saturday morning with a Mass at the
                     church.

                     "A Guidry has been a member of St. Francis for the last 151 years,"
                     said Richard Guidry, one of the reunion organizers. "It just seemed
                     appropriate to start the family reunion with Mass there.

                     "We're going to start with Mass at 9:30 (a.m.) at St. Francis de
                     Sales cathedral. After that, we're going to move to the
                     (Houma-Terrebonne) Civic Center for the rest of the family reunion."

                     The Petitpas and Guidry get-together is one of many family
                     reunions that make up Congrès Mondial Acadien, a two-week
                     celebration of south Louisiana's Acadian heritage.

                     The Robichaux family reunion, the final of six Congrès-related
                     gatherings in Terrebonne Parish, will start at 8:30 a.m. Saturday in
                     the Montegut Recreation Center.

                     One of the organizers, Mildred Robichaux, said she's excited and a
                     bit nervous. 

                     "I've been waiting for this for three years," she said. "We're hoping
                     everything turns out OK."

                     Robichaux said she wishes the weather was cooler for the
                     Canadian visitors, but, given the time of the year, she's happy
                     there's no hurricane threatening the area. 

                     "I'd rather have the heat than the storms," she said.

                     Organizers have invited dancers and musicians to provide
                     entertainment. 

                     Robichaux said there also will be food booths and a table for those
                     wishing to trace their genealogy.

                     "It's fun working with it," Robichaux said. "It's just like a puzzle, and
                     you can see where the pieces fit in."

                     Although she has never traveled to Canada, Robichaux said the
                     reunion might provide her with an excuse to visit new-found family.

                     "I'm still hoping that we'll be able to go," she said. "Maybe we'll be
                     able to visit some of these relatives who come down." 

                     The Guidry family plans to commemorate its ancestors - Claude
                     Guedry dit La Verdeuret; his wife, Marguerite Petitpas; and their 13
                     children - by carrying 15 banners through the St. Francis. 

                     The Rev. Mitchell Guidry of Lafa-yette plans to preside over the
                     Mass. 

                     Afterward, food and music will be waiting for them at the
                     Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center.

                     Richard Guidry said the prospect of bringing his family together after
                     200 years of separation is intoxicating. They are "finally getting all
                     the families together after we were deported from Nova Scotia," he
                     said.