Canary Islanders Heritage Society of Louisiana
An organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the culture of the Canary Islanders descendants in Louisiana, with a focus on the 18th century settlements of Valenzuela and Galveztown
WELCOME
Welcome to the website of the Canary Islanders Heritage Society of Louisiana, a cultural, historical, and genealogical society dedicated to promoting the history and heritage of our ancestry of the Canary Islands, with emphasis on those who lived at the settlement of Galveztown and Valenzuela in south Louisiana. Over twenty years ago, our society was formed to preserve and promote the culture of our Isleño ancestors who came to Louisiana in the late 18th century in search of a better life. We also promote cultural exchanges between Louisiana and the Canaries.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Friday-Sunday, April 17-19, 2026
Bouligny Plaza - downtown New Iberia
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2026 New Iberia Spanish Festival
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Join us in support our fellow Spaniards at their annual festival in New Iberia.
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More information can be found here - http://www.newiberiaspanishfestival.com/
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Even
Saturday, May 2, 2026 - 11am
EBRPL Library - Bluebonnet Branch
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CIHSL Spring Quarterly Meeting
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Meeting information coming soon.
Saturday, August 1, 2026
EBRPL Library - Bluebonnet Branch
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CIHSL Summer Quarterly Meeting​
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Meeting information coming soon.
Saturday, November 7, 2026
EBRPL Library - Bluebonnet Branch​
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CIHSL Fall Quarterly Meeting​
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Meeting information coming soon.
PAST MEETINGS AND EVENTS
CIHSL 2026 Winter Quarterly Meeting
February 28, 2026
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The winter quarterly meeting was held on Saturday, February 28th at 11am at the EBRPL Bluebonnet Branch.
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Our secretary, Shannon Achord delivered a presentation on her genealogical journey to find her Isleño ancestors.
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Video of her presentation can be found here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3eqPfv7C9o&t=1156s
CIHSL Fall 2025 Meeting
November 1, 2025
The fall quarterly meeting was held on Saturday, November 1st at 11:00 AM at the EBR Parish Library - Bluebonnet branch at 9200 Bluebonnet Blvd. in Baton Rouge.
Mary Lydia Ruiz, a retired healthcare executive and long-time member of the Canary Islanders Heritage Society of Louisiana, presented a fascinating talk about José de Rivera, the world-renowned modern sculptor whose work is featured on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and at the 1964 New York World’s Fair.
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The meeting was well attended and we thank Mrs. Ruiz for her time and information.
CIHSL Summer 2025 Meeting
August 2, 2025 - Thibodaux, Louisiana
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For our summer 2025 meeting, we met at the Lafourche Heritage Society annual seminar in Thibodaux, LA. President Chad LeBlanc delivered a presentation on the families of Pierre Part and Belle River which included many Isleño descendants.
CIHSL Spring 2025 Meeting
May 10, 2025
The spring quarterly meeting of the society was held on Saturday, May 10, 2025 at the Bluebonnet Library in Baton Rouge.
We celebrated the traditional Isleños festival "Dia de la Cruz", where crosses are decorated to commemorate our ancestors. Members brought supplies and decorated their crosses. Some will be placed on their ancestors' graves.
Pictured (L to R) - Gloria Toth, Alisa Janney, Marie Estopinal, Darlene Soule.