Dr. Bergeron, this may seem off topic but it ties into my family history through a Confederate veterans son. I won't bore you with the details but I wish to ask your advice due to your expertise on records and archives, especially regarding Louisiana.

I need some idea of where to start researching a short line railroad named Evangeline Railway. It serviced the gravel pits at Turkey Creek where it connected to the Rock Island, Arkansas and Louisiana Railroad. I am hoping to learn something of when the railway opened for business. The railway belonged to the Gifford Hill Sand & Gravel Company. Should I start at the Parish court house or try the state archives first?

Just to keep this a little on topic, it involves learning whether or not the railway was built before the death of my two great-grandfathers who served in the 7th Mississippi. As I have said before that regt. was in a total of three wrecks, one of them truly horrific. Both of my great-grandfathers lived within sound of the railway. I can only imagine what they may have thought if one of those old lonesome sounding steam whistles ever interupted their sleep.

As always, thanks in advance for the help!