La Toussaint

Digging into Arthur C Dale’s family history was like diving into a treasure hunt with twists and turns! My paid historian had a real challenge trying to uncover details about Arthur’s mysterious dad, Dr. John Thomas Dale.

But, luck was on our side when it came to Arthur’s mom, Ines “Clementine” Galatas. Her side of the family tree led us to a quaint cemetery in LaCombe, Louisiana, called Dubuisson Cemetery.

Nestled within the bayou community of Bonfouca, the Dubuisson family, anchored by Francis Dubuisson, serves as the linchpin of the esteemed Dale family heritage. Their roots run deep, entwining with other prominent surnames like Laurent, Carriere, Galatas, and Trepagnier, which dot our communal branches like verdant leaves on a family tree.

Lighting of the Graves

It’s All Saints Day, and the sun is painting the sky with warm hues as La Toussaint, or All Saints Day, is celebrated on the bayou. This tradition, blending Choctaw customs with local Catholic practices, dates back to the 1800s, thanks to Creole Priest Adrien Rouquette. So, there I was, lighting a candle for my newfound ancestor, Francois Dubuisson, when an elder man approached us.

He welcomed us warmly but couldn’t hide his curiosity about our unfamiliar faces in the crowd of familiar ones. I explained that I’d just discovered Francois Dubuisson was my great-great-great-great-great-great-grandpa, and we were there to pay our respects.

His response? He dropped a bombshell, saying I was also a descendant of the King of France, but through some illegitimate line. I laughed a little and couldn’t help but think, ‘This guy must be a bit loopy,’ but his words rang a bell in my memory.

Where had I heard something like that before? That’s right Arthur C Dale claimed to be from royalty on the admission papers into the insane asylum – crazy!

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The finally evidence of Royalty was from my brother Alan grandson in January of 2024 when he received his Ancestry DNA report.

This matters me personally, sure “it’s good to be king” but more importantly this is the 3rd source that makes this claim – which makes Arthur C Dale my grandfather.

Maestri Bildstein Dale was Arthur C Dale’s son!

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We spend the evening amongst the flickering candles creating an illuminated the path symbolizing the departed spirits and our journey with them. In this timeless ritual the Choctaw called Buchuwa, the teachings of Father Rouquette and the enduring spirit of the native Indians, the bayou becomes a sacred space where past and present converge, and the light of tradition shines brightly.

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A Connection Through Generations

Dubuisson Cemetery is more than just a resting place for the departed; it is a living tribute to the resilience, love, and community that have shaped our lives. As we continue to explore our ancestral roots, may we find strength and inspiration in the stories of those who have gone before us.

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