Cajun
Usually, the word Cajun is used to describe those French people from south Louisiana. But the term Acadian is sometimes used; and when one looks into it, they find that their ancestors in fact were Acadians from Canada. Acadians and Cajuns are the same ... yet they are different. The Acadians were French settlers who settled the area (now known as Nova Scotia) in the 1600's. In the mid 18th century, they were exiled by the British. Over the following 30 years, several thousand of the exiled Acadians made their way to south Louisiana. From: Acadian - Cajun
In the 17th century, the Acadians settled in the French provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. Many of the original settlers were from the La Chausée, Poitou; Aunis; Angoumois; and Saintonge areas of France.
Acadians were known as hard workers. They lived in extended families and were generally non-materialistic. Their population in the New World grew steadily for many years.
In 1710, France lost Acadia and the English took over the rule of the lands. For the next 45 years, the Acadians lived relatively peacefully under English rule.
In 1755, the English began what was to be known as Le Grand Dérangement or The Great Disturbance. Thousands of Acadians were forced to flee the area. Over 6,000 fled by boat while thousands of others fled on foot. One of the main reasons for their expulsion was the English government's desire to take over the rich lands of Acadia. One of the other reasons was their Catholic faith - and their refusal to abandon it. From: The Crypt
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