12/22/2025
There’s something remarkable about the marriages of past generations, relationships built on trust, stability, and commitment. In my research, I’ve found that 100 years ago, marriages often lasted for 50 years or more. In comparison, it seems rare today to even reach five years. Early census records show men consistently present in their households over decades, making it easier to trace family lines. But now, with multiple marriages, blended families, and children born to different fathers, it’s much harder to build family trees. It’s even more difficult when fathers’ names are left off birth certificates or other key documents, leaving genealogists with significant gaps to fill.
I’ve included business because, let’s face it, in many cases, only Black families are carrying the French surnames of men who came over and didn’t marry white women, but of course, spread their DNA all over southwestern Louisiana families.
In a side genealogy project, I noticed an interesting trend among some of my classmates: many are using their grandfathers’ last names instead of their fathers’. That’s two generations where the surname hasn’t been passed directly from father to child but instead skipped to a different family line. This observation resonates with me personally because I carry the surname of my maternal grandmother’s married name. To honor my paternal family, I named my firstborn Francois THOMAS, paying tribute to my paternal relatives from Cade, Louisiana. That family’s legacy traces back to a Virginia-born enslaved Black man, and I wanted to ensure that connection was preserved.
In my studies, I found it quite intriguing that in Catholic families after the Civil War, it was uncommon to see children born before marriage. Yes, it did happen, but not nearly as often as it does in modern times. This speaks to the values and norms of the time, where marriage often came first, followed by children, reflecting the church’s influence and societal expectations. By comparison, modern family structures are far less traditional, and children born outside of marriage have become much more common.
In the past, family structures were simpler to follow. Surnames were typically passed down through the paternal line, and marriage created stable households that remained consistent over time. Today, single-parent households, blended families, and the choice to use maternal or grandparental surnames reflect changing family dynamics. While this complicates genealogy research, it also shows how families and relationships evolve.
The shifts in marriage itself over time are striking. In the early 1900s, marriages often lasted for decades, partly because divorce was rare, and families depended on each other financially and socially. Now, societal values have shifted toward personal happiness and fulfillment, leading to shorter marriages. Around 50% of marriages today end in divorce in some regions, and remarriage or cohabitation without marriage is increasingly common.
As genealogists, these changes provide fascinating insights into how society shapes family structures. Whether it’s the way surnames are passed down, children’s birth patterns, or the length of marriages, each generation leaves its mark. For me, these patterns highlight the importance of honoring and preserving family legacies, even as they become more complex to trace. And just to be clear, I’m not throwing shade here because, let’s face it, I’m sitting under that same shady tree with my unmarried self and children of my own. But hey, the family legacy is still strong! I’m planning on at least 30 more children.
