Ascension Parish was created on 1807 , from Acadia Parish and the parish was named in honor of the Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church in Donaldsonville, Louisiana. . The Parish seat is Donaldsonville .
It is borderd by East Baton Rouge Parish (north), Livingston Parish (northeast), St. John the Baptist Parish (east), St. James Parish (southeast), Assumption Parish (southwest), Iberville Parish (west). Cites, Towns and Communities include Donaldsonville, Gonzales, Sorrento, Abend, Acy, Barmen, Belle Helene, Bowden, Brignac, Brittany, Bullion, Burnside, Cofield, Cornerview, Darrow, Duckroost, Duplessis, Dutchtown, Galvez, Geismar, Hillaryville, Hobart, Hohen Solms, Hope Villa, Lake, Lemannville, Little Prairie, McElroy, Marchand, Miles, Modeste, Mount Houmas, Oak Grove, Noel, Palo Alto, Philadelphia Point, Prairieville, Saint Elmo, Saint Amant, Smoke Bend, Southwood, Weber City. The Official County Website is located at http://www.ascensionparish.net/ .
The first Europeans to set foot in Ascension Parish in the area now known as Donaldsonville was led by DeSoto in 1543. The french explorer, LaSalle, named this place Lafourche des Chetimaches, "the fork in the river of the Chitimachas Indians". Bayou Lafourche was called the "river of the Chitimachas" by the early French explorers, and referred to as the "fork of the Chitimachas" where it branched off the Mississippi River - or, in French, La Fourche (the fork).
Ascension Parish became a Spanish Territory in 1763, and Louis Judice was named the first Spanish Commandant for Ascension. In 1766 the Spanish Government issued land grants to Acadians from Nova Scotia and Canary Islanders. It was their hope to reach the numerous French settlement areas along the lower Mississippi. This part of Ascension and St. James Parishes is what came to be known as the Acadian Coast.
On August 15, 1772, on order of Charles III, King of Spain, the Ascension Catholic Church was established to serve its parishioners.
Ascension Parish became the property of France in April, 1682, when LaSalle arrived and explored the Mississippi River. The parish seat for Ascension is Donaldsonville, named after its founder, William Donaldson. Donaldson was formally dedicated on April 17, 1806. The land was originally a Spanish grant, owned by a Mrs. Margaret Allain (Elaine), widow of T. L. Landry, an Acadian exile. See Extended History for More information.
PLEASE READ!! Please call the clerk's department to confirm hours, mailing address, fees and other specifics before visiting or requesting information because of sometimes changing contact information.
Ascension Parish Clerk of Court has Court Records from 1800 and Land Records from 1770 and Probate Records from 1800 has Marriage Records from 1763 and is located at 300 Houmas Street, POBox 192, Donaldsonville, LA 70346, (225) 473-9866, (225) 473-8641 Fax . The Clerk of Court for each parish in Louisiana performs the functions of more than one office. As the Recorder, the office of the Clerk of Court receives, files, records and indexes all mortgages, conveyances and all other instruments recorded in the Public Records for the Parish. The Clerk’s Office receives and files all pleadings, such as petitions, answers, motions and other filings in Civil and Probate matters, as well as indictments, bills of information and other filings in Criminal matters. The Clerk’s Office also handles special Juvenile matters and Criminal Neglect cases. Another function of the Clerk’s Office is the issuance of Marriage Licenses and recording their returns after the marriages are performed.
Below is a list of online resources for Ascension Parish Court Records. Email us with websites containing Ascension Parish Court Records by clicking the link below:
Records of the U.S. Circuit Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, New Orleans Division: Petitions, 1838-1861(The National Archives): NARA P2233. Naturalization records in this publication include petitions and oaths for new citizens in New Orleans, Louisiana from 1838 to 1861. Included here are petitions for naturalization and oaths by petitioners and two witnesses. Occasionally, declarations of intention filed in other courts are included. Each document contains the name and residence of the petitioner, country of birth, city and date of arrival, and names of the witnesses.
Click Here to Search Louisiana Birth, Marriage & Death Records! - Birth, marriage, and death records are connected with central life events. They are prime sources for genealogical information. Look also for baptism, christening, and burial records in this collection.
Vital Records Registry Office of Public Health, 325 Loyola Avenue, P.O. Box 60630. New Orleans, LA 70160; Tel: 504-568-5150 504- 568-5152 (automated) is the repository for all Louisiana Birth Certificates less than 101 years old and all
Louisiana Death Certificates less than 51 years old. Existing records of births which occurred in Louisiana more than
100 years ago or deaths which occurred more than 50 years ago are maintained by the Louisiana State Archives. They have the following records:
Birth Certificates: State office has had records since July 1914. Birth records
for city of New Orleans are available from 1892. Death records
are available since 1942. Older birth, death, and marriage
records are available through the Louisiana State Archives,
P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804.
Cost: The cost of a birth record is $15.00. Fees must be remitted by personal check, money order or Credi/Debit Card Online for the exact amount at the time the order is placed. No credit
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Death Certificates: Death records maintained by Arkansas Vital Records start with February 1, 1914 through the present. Arkansas Vital Records does have a limited number of deaths occurring prior to 1914 for Little Rock and Fort Smith dating from 1881. The Arkansas History Commission has a death index of deaths occurring in Arkansas from 1914 through 1949. This is only an alphabetical listing of deaths occurring in Arkansas. The History Commission does not have copies of the death records.
Cost: The cost of a death record is $7.00. Fees must be remitted by personal check, money order or Credi/Debit Card Online for the exact amount at the time the order is placed. No credit
cards are accepted except online. If the record is not on file, one fee is retained to cover the expense of the search. Please do not send cash in the mail.
Processing Time: 4-6 weeks when ordered by MAIL or 2-5 Days when you order Online Below
Marriage Certificates: Orleans Parish records only from Vital Records Registry or the Louisiana State Archives. For other parishes, certified copies are available from the Clerk of the Court in the parish where the license was issued.
Divorce Certificates: Divorce records are available from Clerk of Court in parish where divorce was granted. Fees vary. Call Civil District Court, (504) 592-9100.
Order Online: You can also order Order Electronically and get the certificates within 2-5 days by ordering below
Order By Mail: SUBMIT APPLICATION, COPY OF STATE OR FEDERAL PHOTO ID AND CHECK OR MONEY ORDER TO: Vital Records Registry, P.O. Box 60630, New Orleans, LA 70160. Please do not send cash in the mail.
IF NO RECORD IS FOUND, YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED AND FEES WILL BE RETAINED FOR THE SEARCH PER R.S. 40:40.
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Search the Social Security Death Index for FREE - Search over 82 million death records and get genealogical information crucial to your family research. New content added weekly! Most comprehensive SSDI site online!
Research Death records In The World's Largest Newspaper Archive at NewpaperArchive.com! - Find thousands of historical Louisiana newspaper articles about deaths. Search for local articles about an old family friend that died many years ago or a celebrity that committed suicide. Historical newspapers contain a wealth of information about the deceased.
Click Here to Search Louisiana Voter Lists & Census Records! - Few, if any, records reveal as many details about individuals and families as do government census records. Substitute records can be used when the official census is unavailable.
Parishwide Records: Federal Population Schedules that exist for Ascension Parish, Louisiana are 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. Other Federal Schedules to look at when researching your family tree in Ascension Parish, Louisiana are Industry and Agriculture Schedules availible for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880. Slave Schedules exist for 1850 & 1860. The Mortality Schedules for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880.
Statewide Records that exist for Louisiana are 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890 (fragment, see below), 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. After the 1803 purchase of Louisiana it became an American possession; therefore, the first federal census report taken for the state was 1810.
As early as 1860 the federal government began attempts to identify Native Americans. In 1900 and 1910 it created a special Indian schedule. The first page was the same as the population census only it had “Indian Population” as its heading. The second page provided for such important information as: tribal affiliation, the tribe of each parent, the person's Indian blood quantum, and—if not full blooded —their precise racial mixture. These schedules will be found at the end of the ward or district in which the Native American resided.
Below is a list of online resources for Ascension Parish Census Records. Email us with websites containing Ascension Parish Census Records by clicking the link below:
Genealogy Atlas has images of old American atlases during the years 1795, 1814, 1822, 1823, 1836, 1838, 1845, 1856, 1866, 1879 and 1897 for Louisiana and other states.
You can view rotating animated maps for Louisiana showing all the parish boundaries for each census year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in parish boundaries. You can view a list of maps for other states at Census Maps
You can view rotating animated maps for Louisiana showing all the parish boundary changes for each year overlayed with past and present maps so you can see the changes in parish boundaries . You can view a list of maps for other states and State Department of Transportation Maps at County Maps.
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Click Here to Search Louisiana Military Records! - Military and civil service records provide unique facts and insights into the lives of men and women who have served their country at home and abroad.
The uses and value of military records in genealogical research for ancestors who were veterans are obvious, but military records can also be important to re-searchers whose direct ancestors were not soldiers in any war. The fathers, grandfathers, brothers, and other close relatives of an ancestor may have served in a war, and their service or pension records could contain information that will assist in further identifying the family of primary interest. Due to the amount of genealogical information contained in some military pension files, they should never be overlooked during the research process. Those records not containing specific genealogical information are of historic value and should be included in any overall research design.
Below is a list of online resources for Ascension Parish Military Records. Email us with websites containing Ascension Parish Military Records by clicking the link below:
Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783 (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Documents in NARA publication M246 include muster rolls, payrolls, strength returns, and other miscellaneous personnel, pay, and supply records of American Army units, 1775-83.
Southern Claims Commission from the State of Louisiana (The National Archives): View, Print Copy & Save Original Documents In the 1870s, southerners claimed compensation from the U.S. government for items used by the Union Army, ranging from corn and horses, to trees and church buildings.
Tax records are a valuable but little-used source. Almost everything was taxed: household and personal goods, livestock, slaves, and property. Tax lists can be used as a substitute census, to create complete neighborhoods for a neighborhood study, establish relationships, locate land, and so on. Unfortunately, most of these lists no longer exist in Louisiana, but those that are extant are usually found in the tax assessor's office in the Ascension Parish courthouse.
Below is a list of online resources for Ascension Parish Tax Records. Email us with websites containing Ascension Parish Tax Records by clicking the link below:
The Repositories
in this section are Archives, Libraries, Museums, Genealogical
and Historical Societies. Many County Historical and Genealogical
Societies publish magazines and/or news letters on a monthly,
quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Contacting the local societies
should not be over looked. State Archives and Societies are
usually much larger and better organized with much larger archived
materials than their smaller county cousins but they can be
more generalized and over look the smaller details that local
societies tend to have. Libraries can also be a good place to
look for local information. Some libraries have a genealogy
section and may have some resources that are not located at
archives or societies. Also, take a special look at any museums
in the area. They sometimes have photos and items from years
gone by as well as information of a genealogical interest. All
these places are vitally important to the family genealogist
and must not be passed over.
Below is a list of online resources for Ascension Parish Genealogical Addresses. Email us with websites containing Ascension Parish Genealogical Addresses by clicking the link below:
Louisiana Newspapers & Periodicals Records - Newspapers and periodicals are the diaries of local communities. They are excellent sources of family history details - often recorded nowhere else. Look for obituaries, marriages, legal notices, and more found in our Historical Newspaper Archives.
Click Here to Search Louisiana Obituary Records! - This database is a compilation of obituaries published in U.S. newspapers, collected from various online sources. Obituaries can vary in the amount of information they contain, but many of them are genealogical goldmines, including information such as names, dates, places of birth and death, marriage information, and family relationships.
Most Catholic church registers are still in the local parish
church. Many of them have been translated and published.
The recording of cemetery inscriptions in Louisiana
has long been a project of the DAR and numerous genealogical
societies. Genealogical
publications continually print these inscriptions in their issues.
Below is a list of online resources for Ascension Parish Cemetery & Church Records. Email us with websites containing Ascension Parish Cemetery & Church Records by clicking the link below:
Find Obituaries in The World's Largest Newspaper Archive at NewpaperArchive.com! - Find thousands of Louisiana obituaries to help you research your family history. Search for a Louisiana newspaper obituary about your ancestor or a celebrity. Begin your search today and find death notices and funeral announcements printed in newspapers from Louisiana.
Click Here to Search Louisiana Family Tree Records! - The use of published genealogies, electronic files containing genealogical lineage, and other compiled sources can be of tremendous value to a researcher.
When view family trees online or not, be sure to only take the info at face value and always follow up with your own sources or verify the ones they provide. Below is a list of online resources for Ascension Parish Family Trees, web forums and other family type information . Email us with websites containing Ascension Parish Family Trees, web forums and other family type information by clicking the link below:
Genealogy Encyclopedia: General Abbreviations, Early Illnesses, Nickname Meanings, Worldwide Epidemics, Early Occupations, Common Terms, Censuses Explained, Free Genealogical Forms
Nichols and Related Families of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virgina.
Louisiana Family & Local History Records - The Family & Local Histories Collection lets you read journals, memoirs, and other first-hand historical narratives right on your computer. Gathered from some of the world's finest libraries, these materials may provide hard-to-find town, county, and state information; tax records and wills; military, church, and court records; as well as photographs, stories, and maps.
Over 500 years define the history of the site of Ascension Parish; a site historicallyidentified by the important junction of the Mississippi River and Bayou Lafourche.
About the year 1200, these waterways were one, then the river changed course, leaving behind a small stream the Native Tribes called ‘bayuk’; today's Bayou Lafourche.
The Houma, Bayougoula, and Tchitimacha tribes occupied this site for years before Europeans. While primitive, they lived in organized communities with disciplined beliefs.
They were hunters and farmers who built mounds and temples. They knew pottery, basketry, and ceramics. They named the Great River, ‘Michi Sipi,’ and are to be credited for helping the early settlers.
The first Europeans (Spanish explorers) arrived here before 1520. In 1541, the conquistador, Hernando de Soto, was the first to write of the Great River, and his lieutenant, Luis de Moscoso, was likely the first to travel the length of Bayou Lafourche on his escape to Mexico.
In this period the Tribes spoke openly of ‘the fork’ (Bayou Lafourche) in the river as another route to the Gulf, but this openness faded, and la fourche was thought mere fable. In 1680, however, the French missionary, Louis Hennepin, wrote of the strategic fork in the river. Afterwards, the search for la fourche became an obsession for the French.
In 1682, Rene Robert Cavalier, Sieur de La Salle, descended the Mississippi. In April, he found the Gulf, and claimed ‘La Louisiane’ for France.
Due to seasonal high waters la fourche was not found. Because he did not document the river's mouth, for near twenty years Louisiana was mostly undisturbed, other than ‘coureurs-des-bois’ (French trappers) roaming the territory.
By 1698, France and Spain were competing for Louisiana. Serving France, in 1699, Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur d’Iberville rediscovered the Mississippi, and began colonization. With help from the Natives he found Bayou Manchaq, which today is one of Ascension’s northern boundaries. La fourche, however, remained elusive.
In 1700, d’Iberville's brother, Jean-Baptiste le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville, with Louis Juchereau de St. Denis, and Henri de Tonti, found la fourche, and named it ‘Les Riviere de Tchitimacha.’ In this period, Iberville founded Mobile in 1702; St. Denis founded Natchitoches in 1714,
Bienville founded New Orleans in 1718, and the French became firmly established from Canada to the Gulf.
It is thought that a tiny village existed on the Mississippi at Bayou Lafourche at this time. The village was called ‘La Fourche des Tchitimacha,’ and later ‘La Fourche.’ In time, French, Canadians, Germans, Spanish, English, African and Native Slaves populated it.
AGRICULTURE IS ESTABLISHED
During this time the area’s economy was agricultural; food crops, tobacco, and indigo. Sugar Cane was planted in 1700, but not formally established until 1795. Because adequate labor was needed, by 1717 some 3,000 African Slaves were cultivating the land, and their number grew until Slavery was outlawed. Like the Natives, Africans are to be credited for the growth of the Colony.
By 1721, Louisiana was divided into nine districts with the New Orleans District representing today’s Ascension Parish. That year saw the arrival of German settlers (L’Allemands) on the river and in the Bayou Lafourche area. They suffered deprivation and great loss coming to Louisiana, but their hardiness was later credited with saving New Orleans.
In 1762, France ceded Louisiana west of the Mississippi, and the ‘Isle of Orleans’ to Spain. The Isle was the area east of the river bounded by Bayou Manchaq, the Amite River, Lakes Maurepas, Ponchartrain, and Borgne. All of today’s East Ascension was part of the Isle of Orleans.
ACADIAN COAST
In 1755, an event critical to Ascension occurred in Canada; England’s exile of the French from Acadia (England’s Nova Scotia). Acadian families were scattered and torn apart. Misery followed, but disciplined beliefs sustained them. In 1765, many arrived at New Orleans, and were settled in today’s Ascension, an area quickly called the ‘Acadian Coast,’ later Acadia District (1769), and Acadia County (1804). The Cajuns are due much credit for the growth of Ascension and Louisiana.
Curious to the diverse people of Ascension at this time was the ‘Creole.’ Writers called them a ‘created people.’ They were first defined as the newborn French in the Louisiana Colony. In time, this was applied to the Germans, Spanish, and Africans. Indeed, so popular was being Creole, even their produce held that important notoriety, and was constantly sought-out by visitors.
In 1772, at the village of La Fourche, the Ascension Church Parish, ‘La Iglesia de la Ascension de Nuestro Senor Jesus Christo de La Fourche de Los Tchitimacha’ was officially founded by Father Angelus de Reuillagodos. Because of this, La Fourche became known as ‘L'Ascension.’
In 1778, Spain recruited settlers from the Canary Islands to help defend against the advancing English (L’Anglais). Called ‘Islenos,’ they founded two settlements near L'Ascension, ‘Villa de Galvez’ and ‘Villa de Valanzuela.’ English economic penetration was feared, and despite attempts to prevent it, at L'Ascension, Baton Rouge and New Orleans they became established.
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
In 1779, the American Revolution visited Louisiana. Successfully defending the region were the Spanish and local troops of French, Canadian, Cajun, Isleno, German, African (Slave and Free), and Tribal Natives. Victories at Baton Rouge and Mobile were fervently hailed by the United States.
In 1800, Spain returned Louisiana to Napoleon’s France. Realizing the difficulty of defending Louisiana from the English, in 1803, he sold it to the United States. When news of ‘The Purchase’ reached L'Ascension, English settlers were jubilant, while the French were dismayed.
CREATING ASCENSION PARISH
In 1804, The Purchase was divided, with Louisiana as the ‘Orleans Territory.’ This was divided into 12 counties, with the L’Ascension area as ‘Acadia’; population 5,000. Due to its prosperity, Acadia became the ‘Gold Coast.’ In 1807, the Territory was divided into 19 parishes. ‘Ascension Parish’ was created from Acadia. In 1812, the Territory became ‘Louisiana,’ the 18th State.
Today, Ascension Parish is a true American treasure. It is the ‘Gateway’ to a glorious and sublime portrait of time and people spanning more than five centuries. Ascension Parish is an immense collection of diverse histories deserving simply of recognition, celebration, and protection.
DONALDSONVILLE
About 1803, the Englishman, William Donaldson, settled at New Orleans. In 1805, he bought land near Bayou Lafourche from the Acadian, Marguerite Allain, and planned an English town. In 1806, ‘Donaldson’ was dedicated, but the largely French population called it ‘La Ville de Donaldson’. In 1823, it was reincorporated as ‘Ville de Donaldson,’ but due to a growing English presence, it became ‘Donaldsonville’; population 200. In 1808, Donaldson Town Post Office was established. In 1809, due to a public protest it was renamed ‘La Fourche.’ Later, it was once again renamed Donaldsonville. In 1816, the town published its first newspaper, ‘The Creole.’
Until 1815, the buccaneer-pirate, Jean Lafitte, used Viala Plantation (Riverdale Golf Club) on the Mississippi as his headquarters. From there he traded goods amongst the settlers that were seized mostly from English ships. He gained hero status at the 1815 Battle of New Orleans fighting the English. In these times, Ascension was served by mail stage. After 1835, the Parish was accessible by steamboat.
As early as 1808, William Donaldson began working toward having the capitol of the Territory moved from New Orleans to his town. This became a yearly contest between Baton Rouge and Donaldsonville. After years of wrangling, from 1829-1831, the town was the capitol of Louisiana.
The earliest mention of a Donaldsonville census is 1830 with 492 residents, 32% in Slavery, and 15% Free Persons of Color. By 1850, there were 10,752 in Ascension, 68% bound by Slavery. Up to the Civil War, the Ascension region prospered. Large plantations were started, great fortunes made, and fine homes built, first by the ‘Creole Aristocracy,’ and then by the invading English.
Situated at Donaldsonville during the Civil War was the Union stronghold, Fort Butler. Slaves of the region helped in the fort’s construction and defense. Here, in 1863, a crucial battle helped decide the Union’s fate, while showcasing the African Slave’s need for freedom. Despite the Civil War, Ascension’s population continued to grow in the years that followed.
Contributing to Ascension’s growth after the Civil War was daily train service, a steam ferry on the Mississippi, school improvements, daily mail, Reconstruction’s end, the introduction of the telegraph and telephone, improvements in streets, roads, and bridges, and the growth of business.
In 1903, a two-century-old debate ended with the damming of Bayou Lafourche in favor of locks to prevent seasonal flooding in the bayou’s lower reaches. Once the debate ended, so did the talk of locks, and for two decades Donaldsonville declined. With the advent of the automobile, by 1930, this was reversed, and the town once again resumed it onward development.
Historically, Ascension Parish was always an agricultural economy. In the 1950’s and 60’s this changed with the addition of major industries, the Sunshine Bridge over the Mississippi, and the opening of Interstate 10. Ascension had now entered the world scene. Compared to 1990, in 2000 Ascension had grown 32% to 76,627 residents, while population in Donaldsonville was 7,605.
Donaldsonville is known today as the "Gateway to Cajun and Plantation Country" because of its rich heritage and the numerous plantations along the Mississippi River and Bayou Lafourche. It is also home to Chef John Folse and his Four Star fine dining establishment Lafitte's Landing at Bittersweet Plantation. Through his depiction of life along the Mississippi, self-taught primitive artist Alvin Batiste has gained international recognition. Visitors may watch Batiste at work at Rossie's Custom Framing. Bed and Breakfast and hotel accommodations are available as well as many family style restaurants.
GONZALES
Early inhabitants of the Gonzales area were, for the most part, of Spanish and French ancestry who settled amidst the Houma Indians. The area was an agricultural community with homesteading granted to early settlers in the mid 1800's. They were linked to other settlements by footpaths and waterways. By 1851, the confines of this new settlement had about ten residents. Adlard Gautreaux established a small school in 1855 to educate the children.
In 1886, "Big" Joseph Gonzales was elected as sheriff of the growing settlement. Joseph's son, "Tee-Joe" opened a general store and post office in the small community the following year.
Because of the arrival of the Louisiana Railway and Navigation Company, the once isolated community began to grow. The Village was subdivided by "Tee-Joe" Gonzales in 1906, and was officially incorporated and declared a village by proclamation of Governor John M. Parker on April 12, 1922. Joseph Gonzales served, as the first mayor of Gonzales and on May 4, 1952 the village became known as the "Town" of Gonzales by proclamation of Governor Earl K. Long.
The leap to a thriving town was made possible with the construction of Airline Highway through the city limits by Huey Long. During the 1950's a major transition occurred as industrial plants began to locate along the Mississippi River, creating a revolutionary growth. These industrial corporations brought hundreds of new residents and the population began to soar rapidly. Commerce quickly developed, keeping pace with the industrial developments.
On the 17th day of August, 1977 Governor Edwin Edwards officially proclaimed and designated the newly established "City of Gonzales". Gonzales is now the commercial hub of Ascension Parish as well as the largest municipality in the parish with a population of approximately 8,700.
Rich in history and tradition, diverse in its ethnic background, Gonzales also holds the distinction of the title of "Jambalaya Capital of the World". The Jambalaya Festival
Association holds one of the largest state festivals every year in May. The lifestyle, food, and music combined with the endless commercial venues such as Tanger Outlet and the many accommodations available make Gonzales a great place to visit and to live.
SORRENTO
The first three settlers of Sorrento were Desire LeBlanc, Sr., Jerome Lee, Sr., and Jules Trabeau who each homesteaded 160 acres of land. At this time Sorrento was known as Conway and the main settlement was near Bayou Conway. The first postmaster of Conway was Edmond Landry and the first mail carrier was Wallace Trabeau. Trabeau carried the mail from Burnside to Conway, and at that time there were no roads, only a trail through the woods from Bayou Conway to the plantation fronts along the Mississippi River.
In 1902, the first railroad right-of-way was established. Jerome Lee and Telesphore LeBlanc donated the land. In 1908, the Louisiana Railroad and Navigation Company were established. William Edenborn, a German immigrant, built the railroad. Queen Wilhelkminia of Holland financed the venture and the railroad ran in conjunction with the Dutch Steamship Line.
Edenborn, in 1909, named the town Sorrento after Sorrento, Italy where it is claimed he took his young bride for their honeymoon. The first postmaster of the town of Sorrento was Willie Everrett, folowed by Joe Gravois in 1915 and Sidney Chauvin in 1925.
The Odenweyder-Fisher Company built the first sawmill in 1909. This partnership was dissolved in 1914 and Odenweyder-Alcus became the owner. Cypress and tupelo gum were marketed with the mill having a capacity of 60,000 board feet per day. This capacity was exceeded many times as a record of 93,000 board feet was reported. The mill closed in 1921 and a veneer mill began in 1925. It was known as the DeHass Eby and Alcus Company.
In 1928, when oil was discovered in McElroy Swamps, a subdivision was laid out and streets and lots were surveyed. Sorrento was incorporated as a village in 1956, and on August 20, 1962 was reclassified as a town.
Sorrento's population today is 1,350. It is home to River Parish Community College and a growing number of other commercial developments along Highway 22 near Interstate 10.
The Houma, Bayougoula, and Tchitimacha tribes occupied this site for years before Europeans. While primitive, they lived in organized communities with disciplined beliefs. 
The first Europeans (Spanish explorers) arrived here before 1520. In 1541, the conquistador, Hernando de Soto, was the first to write of the Great River, and his lieutenant, Luis de Moscoso, was likely the first to travel the length of Bayou Lafourche on his escape to Mexico. 
By 1698, France and Spain were competing for Louisiana. Serving France, in 1699, Pierre Le Moyne, Sieur d’Iberville rediscovered the Mississippi, and began colonization. With help from the Natives he found Bayou Manchaq, which today is one of Ascension’s northern boundaries. La fourche, however, remained elusive.
In 1755, an event critical to Ascension occurred in Canada; England’s exile of the French from Acadia (England’s Nova Scotia). Acadian families were scattered and torn apart. Misery followed, but disciplined beliefs sustained them. In 1765, many arrived at New Orleans, and were settled in today’s Ascension, an area quickly called the ‘Acadian Coast,’ later Acadia District (1769), and Acadia County (1804). The Cajuns are due much credit for the growth of Ascension and Louisiana.