I'm looking for any information on an Andry family who owened a plantation in the New Orleans area. I understand the plantation was close to the city. The only names I have for this family are three siblings: Robert, Gabriel and Oxea (Oxia). As far as I know there were no other children. Robert was old enough to father a son in 1915; his wife was Eda Hansen of Norway and they ended up living in New York. Oxea (Oxia) married a Canadian minister/politician. I have no further information. If you recognize these people, PLEASE let me know. Family records were either lost and/or dispersed and I would really like to find out about the connection to Lafayette. Thanks.

Manuel Andry owned a plantation on the site of the present port of embarcation. This would be the Chalmette area (across the river from New Orleans) He also owned a plantation called Woodland, which still stands today in Laplace. The siblings don't ring a bell, I will look further. Manuel Andry was the son of Don Louis Andry who was one of three brothers to arrive from Paris, France. Another plantation owned by an Andry was called Reserve and it was adjacent to Laplace, La. It is still standing, but in terrible condition. It was bought by The River Road Historical Society and they plan to restore it.

I all know about this family is that they are supposedly descended from an ancestor who came to LA with the Marquis de Lafayette. The story goes that they settled in the "New Orleans" area. It may or may not have BEEN in New Orleans, but it was in the area of the city. Certainly close enough for the women to go there to have their children. I'm not sure about the spelling of Gabriel or Oxea's names. I can only spell them as they sound. I think Gabriel was the older son. Robert was born in New Orleans on 3 June 1889. Eda Hansen worked for his family; that is how they met. I understand that she was sent to the US while a teenager in order to be educated. Why she was working at the Andry plantation while she was supposed to be going to school, I don't know, nor do I know whether she was supposed to be going to High School or college.

I appreciate your reply. Every little bit helps.

The name Louise seems to be quite common among the women of this family if that is any help.

Thanks Trish for the info. This is very confusing since we seem to have the same first name.

I feel I should say that I, myself, am not related to the Andrys. I'm doing this for a friend of mine who doesn't have access to a computer. At 63, she's a bit intimidated by them even though she is willing to learn. She is Robert's eldest daughter.

I gave her the info. you gave me and the Reserve plantation struck a nerve. Apparently, her grandfather's family held onto the plantation even though they couldn't afford to keep it up and it was allowed to deteriorate badly. A combination of the Civil War, and bad investments at the turn of 20thc further complicated by Gabriel's gambling habit put paid to any ability of maintaining the place. Nevertheless, they held onto it. Robert was the younger son and Oxea was well known for her horsemanship.

Thanks again. This really means a lot to my friend.

I was pleased to learn that you made a connection with Reserve Plantation.It had been the home of Antoine Boudousquie and Sophie Andry.It was built about 1820.Antoine Boudousquie was a former Speaker of the House of Representatives. Sophie Andry was the sister of Michael Thomassin Andry of whom I am descended. Antoine Boudousquie named the plantation Reserve because he said that his wife should hold onto it as a Reserve in case of financial difficulties. He died in 1855. Because of financial problems caused by the Civil War, together with levee crevasses which were ruinous to the sugar crops, Mme. Antoine Boudousquie sold the plantation to Leon Godchaux a few years after the end of the Civil War. -----I wonder if the original three brothers, Louis, Gilbert and Simon could have come from France with the Marquis de Lafayette. Also, I have corresponded with Robert Schawann. I wonder if your friend could be his daughter, although I don't think he is that old to have a daughter who is 63.I am 63 and I just got a computor. I don't know alot, but it's fun computing! Margie R.----

I made a mistake and I always check carefully before I send the message through but obviously I missed this one. Nancy is not Robert's eldest daughter but his son Norman's. Norman was born in 1915. She may be Robert's eldest GRANDaughter - I'll have to check to be sure. I'm planning on giving her my old Performa, stripped down for internet and word processing use, so she will be computer literate very soon. It has 80 megs of RAM and I'll probably upgrade it with some more beofore I give it to her, so I think it should me more than adequate. She can't afford a new computer so I want the Performa to fullfill the need for as long as possible.

We got all excited about the Reserve - it really bothers Nancy that a lot of the info. on both sides of her family were lost through no fault of her own. Unfortunately, her last name IS Andry and from what she told me, her family had this plantation at least forty years after the Civil War. Indeed, when Robert left New Orleans it was still in their possession. I think Norman was born in New York and Nancy seems to recall that the plantation was still within the family as late as the 1920's at least. So it doesn't sound like the Reserve is it. This is frustrating, especially when you're trying to reconstruct a family history with nothing but a couple of names and a few childhood memories.

It'd certainly help if we had her great-grandfather's name but I think I may have an idea about that. Thanks again for replying; any information is greatly appreciated especially when I, for one, didn't expect to find ANY clue so soon.

My mother was Jane Andry. Her father was Alfred Ignatius Andry. He and my grandmother, Emily had three children - Jane, Alfred Jr., and Wayne. I know that we have relatives in Mobile, AL. Anyone know my family?

Gabriel was my grandfather. Robert was his brother and Oxia was his sister.
Their father's name was Fernand J. Andry, born 1844 died 1891

Would this name at any time have been changed to St. Andre?