Windows Into Yesteryears

The book Windows into Yesteryears is a tribute to the author’s father, Lee Roy Pitre, Sr. (1926 - 2006) and his legacy that the author wanted to preserve for his descendants. It is a result of many years of research and discovery based on analysis of multiple data sources including, archival documents, census materials, photographs, individual interviews, books, journal articles, and maps. The book does not attempt to cover the entire history and lineage of all the Pitres worldwide; instead, it is a journey into the past that unlocks some of the myths and facts about Lee Roy Pitre’s line of ancestry. Along with the stories and anecdotes from the people’s lives, the author also explores and explains the origin of the last name Pitre as it is widely known among the Cajuns today. The author’s journey begins in early 6th century Europe. Then continues on through 17th and 18th century in Nova Scotia and ends in South Louisiana. It is a story of people who went through wars, expulsion, poverty, and natural disasters, a story of people who did not give in to the hardships, survived, and are thriving in the 21st century. The book author, Lee Roy Pitre, Jr., is the eleventh generation North American and seventh generation Louisianan. Although not a historian by occupation, Pitre, Jr. has many years of experience as an informational technology analyst and consultant as well as a military professional. His previous experiences and skills allowed him to conduct this research and let the readers pick at their ancestors through the windows into yesteryears.