It has been a big decision to move to Florida, USA and away from Jean Emile’s stomping ground, and the city he founded of Dubbo New South Wales, Australia. Also the face-to-face support of two extremely competent historians, Sandra Smith and Cynthia Foley and the ability to walk the streets as he would have walked them … these key things to researching this book, are for now on hold. (sigh)
Surprisingly there is more than enough for me to research in Florida to reveal the Old World Jean had come from. I walk among the great-great grand children of the slave trade every day. Residents from the Caribbean are speaking French… and of course flying to France is rediculously cheap compared to getting there from Australia, so there are many advantages. I am one step closer to standing on his home turf.
Cuba is close by too. Jean apparently went there for his sister’s wedding prior to sailing to Australia and I intend walking in his footsteps there every chance I get.
Speaking of footsteps… the wedding slippers pictured here were worn by Jean’s daughter in law and are displayed in the Western Plains Cultural Centre in Dubbo, Australia along with some other Serisier treasures.
Jusqu’à demain.
King of Dubbo 