Join Sarah Waits and Peter Dandridge for the May 2023 Gallier Gathering as they offer updates on their genealogical research into descendants of the enslaved people that lived in the Hermann, Grima, and Gallier households in 19th-century New Orleans.

About this Event

Over the past decade, Peter Dandridge—Curatorial Associate at the Hermann-Grima + Gallier Historic Houses—has combed the Notarial Archives for records related to enslaved persons owned by the Hermanns, Grimas, and Galliers. Sarah Waits, Archivist at the Office of Archives and Records at the Archdiocese of New Orleans, has found additional sacramental records related to people enslaved by the Grimas and Galliers. While finding information about people who were enslaved prior to the Civil War is usually a daunting and sometimes impossible task, our presenters will show a remarkable paper trail that links both enslaved and free ancestors to modern-day descendants of the Grima, Epps, and Beaurepaire families.

About Our Speakers

Originally from California, Peter Dandridge has been actively involved with the Hermann-Grima and Gallier Houses since moving to New Orleans nearly 20 years ago. Utilizing methods honed while earning a certification in genealogical research from Boston University, he continually reassembles family units to satisfy his own curiosity. In addition to genealogy, his active research interests include 18th- and 19th-century architecture and material culture.

A native New Orleanian, Sarah Waits has worked in the Office of Archives and Records at the Archdiocese of New Orleans for the past two years. Prior to the Archdiocese, she worked at the Amistad Research Center and the National World War II Museum. She received her Master’s degree in history from the University of New Orleans and Bachelor’s degree in history and creative writing from Louisiana State University. In addition to her position as Research Archivist at the Archdiocese, Sarah is a licensed tour guide and enjoys leading walking tours in the French Quarter. She is the current president of the Greater New Orleans Archivists (GNOA) organization.