The Fusilier/Carriere/Damas branch of our family developed in the Attakapas--Opelousas area of Louisiana. In researching this line, I was restricted by the policies of the Catholic Church which denies access of researcher to what are considered holy records.
Although the archivists of St. Landry Church were generally cooperative, they were not knowledgeable about the problems which both free people of color and slaves faced in creating an identity for themselves. These names and record were totally controlled by dominant whites. The manner in which events were recorded show a general disdain for non-whites.
On one trip to Opelousas, Sister Stephanie Bourg allowed me a few minutes to look over her shoulder as she searched one of the tomes of records of slaves and free people of color. In that short time, I was able to locate baptismal records of Louis and Gilbert Damas, Sr. One was recorded in Spanish, the other in French.
Had I more time, I could probably have found the baptismal records of other children in the family.
At any rate, Sr. Bourg was cooperative within the limitations imposed upon her by the church. On the other hand, the officials of St. Charles Borremeo Church in St. Martinville not only denied me access to records but would not undertake any research on my behalf.
Civil records were available and Mr. Allen Richards, himself a genealogist, at the St. Landry Courthouse, went out of his way in assisting me. My own visit to the St. Landry Courthouse resulted in a few "finds" and a great deal of frustration over the condition of the records. Most of them had not been cared for. The paper was crumbling and ink bled through to make them illegible. I was literally sick over the conditions of these vital historical records.
As I record this family history, I must advise you, my descendants, that some efforts are being made to save and preserve old documents and more and more of them are available each year. If one of you, in the future, desires to further research our family history you may find a wealth of additional information.