The Polvado and Westfall History
told by Jerry Polvado

The contents of this book are for the purpose of the reader knowing more about the Polvado, Westfall families both here in the United States of America and their origin. As with any study of family history there will be unintended mistakes now and then.

There were sad facts that I thought important for the record concerning the Polvado family. Personality traits that follow from generation to generation that cause hurt and pain. I did not divulge this with the thought of rendering hurt to a family member, but to help understand what many family members term, "The Polvado Curse".

For all my future children and relatives: I’m providing you a pattern of who you really are. You have taken on our personalities, traits, looks and many more things we do not understand at all today. I look at some of these people and I see my eyes, many generations past. I believe at times I can feel and read their thoughts. Eventually there will be a better understand of all we do inherit from our past family. Believe me when I tell you that this inheritance goes much beyond physical features.

Have fun with this and add to it!!!!

First Polvado Family's Last Home at Sabine River

Statement given to the Mexican authorities by Jean Polvado in 1803:

"Sworn statement (of myself), Jean Polvado, a native of the city of Nantes, of France. I went out at the age of fifteen years, having embarked in a French ship and, various others. I traveled as a sailor about four years, having landed in Louisiana and from there went to Quachita, in which I lived six years. I came to Natchitoches, and one year afterwards, I contracted matrimony with Lenora Tessier, with whom I have had seven children two male and five female. The first two girls were born in Natchitoches, the first being eighteen years old, the second sixteen and the other three girls, (twelve years, six years, and five months old); also, my wife and I are Apostolic Roman Catholic religion, and we always keep ourselves in it, following the Spanish flag, as the commands of the Syndicos and other judges that govern this post.

I (did not bring) a passport, because at that time it was not customary to be given in the province of Louisiana. (Because I do not know) how to write, I make a sign of a cross in the presence of Don Pierre Dolet and Luis Procela in Bayou Pierre, July 26 1809.”

1918 Bob Polvado and Lillie’s first child, Linnie Mae, died during the flu epidemic.

(Six hundred thousand Americans succumbed to this horrible flue) Then on December 27th, Lillie Susan Conway Polvado lost her life to the flue. The following day, nine year old daughter Idell followed her mom and sister to heaven. Bob and four children found themselves alone with the mother and little daughter lying in heavenly sleep in the bedroom. He hitched his horses to the wagon, and started out to town for two caskets. Bob was barely able to cross the Leon River because it was above the banks from rain.

Thelma remembers her sister’s white casket with doves on it. Before their deaths, her mother had by hand made a pretty white dress for little Idell. Thelma said she remembered her sister wearing it, while lying in state in their small family room. Thelma remembered that she was a beautiful little girl with blond hair.

Bob was now faced with the burial of his wife, young daughter, and had a sick son with the highly infectious illness.