My immigrant ancestor was Jean Baptiste Bouett, who was in California by the 1830s. I have an unconfirmed reference to Mont de Marsan as his place of origin. Bancroft says (Pioneer Register), "Bouet (Jean), 1848, French trader at Los Ang[eles] age 30. Doubtful record.", but I have found him in the 1850 and 1860 US census records for Los Angeles, so Bancroft's source is probably accurate. He married 16 November 1847 in the Plaza Church in Los Angeles, by which time his name had taken the Spanish form 'Juan Bautista'.

Any information on this surname in the area of Mont de Marsan area—or any other information, for that matter—will be greatly appreciated.

Lawrence Bouett (lbouett@yahoo.com)