Bestselling author Carolyn Morrow Long has just announced her New Orleans book signing schedule for her new publication, Famille Vve Paris née Laveau: The Tomb of Marie Laveau in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.
Since early 2014 Carolyn has been researching the Marie Laveau tomb in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, digging into the Burial Books at the Archdiocesan Archives and other sources. This research has led her to new discoveries not included in her 2006 biography A New Orleans Voudou Priestess: The Legend and Reality of Marie Laveau.
Morrow gave a talk at the Louisiana Humanities Center about this time last year and a short article was posted online. A longer version was published in the July issue of New Orleans Genesis, journal of the Genealogical Research Society and now an even more expanded version, containing even more new information, has been published by Left Hand Press.
What to expect from the book and questions that will be answered at the signing?
The text includes a history of Marie Laveau as both a devoted Catholic and a Voudou priestess, an explanation of the evolution of the custom of marking crosses, and later Xs, on her tomb, the uproar over the tomb being painted pink (along with other vandalism) that caused the Archdiocese to limit access to the cemetery, a discussion of the 84 family members, slaves, friends, neighbors, and strangers interred in the famous tomb, the discovery that Marie Laveau owned two other burial sites in St. Louis 1 in which 26 more people were interred, and an attempt to answer the FAQ “who owns the tomb?” There are many illustrations, copious source notes, and databases listing the 110 people whose remains lie in the three burial sites.
All except 1850 House will also have my note cards reproduced from my original collages. Come by and visit—do your holiday shopping.
The 1850 House (shop for the Louisiana State Museum) in the lower Pontalba Building on Jackson Square, Saturday, October 22, 2:00-4:00.
Hex New Orleans Witchery, 1219 Decatur, Sunday, October 23, 2:00-5:00
Botanica Island of Salvation, New Orleans Healing Center, 2372 St Claude Avenue, Monday, October 24, 5:30-7:30
Starling Magickal Books and Crafts, 1022 Royal Street, Friday, October 28, 4:00-6:00
