by Karen Yvonne Hamilton. Last updated on May 27, 2025.
Actively researching. Subscribe for updates.
Justine Tulles Thatu was born in either Cuba or France about 1841. The 1860 and 1870 census list her place of birth as France. Spellings of her name: ‘Justine’ and ‘Justina’.
IMPORTANT TO NOTEFOR RESEARCHERS: While Ancestry .com suggests that Jules Daunoy and Cora Douvillier are the parents of Justine AND her husband, Ed Thomas, the only proof is the 1860 New Orleans census. That census lists Justine and Ed LIVING IN THE HOUSEHOLD. It DOES NOT list them as children of Jules and Cora!
Possible parents Jules D’Aunoy (also spelled Daunoy) and Cora Douvillier. The spellings of these names differ in different documents. The 1860 New Orleans census shows these two people living with Ed and his wife, Justine Thatu. It does not indicate if they are related however. Ancestry.com shows Jules and Cora as possible parents for Edward Thomas AND for Justine Thatu (his wife).
MARRIAGE
Justine married Edward Thomas, a police officer in New Orleans, Louisiana.
CHILDREN
- Josephine was born in 1856.
- Mathilde B. “Tilly” was born in 1859 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
In 1860, Ed and Justine lived in the 5th Ward of New Orleans. There was also an Irish servant woman named Julia More living in the household. Justine spent time as a dressmaker.
Justine and Edward lived in the 5th Ward of New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1870.
On May 28, 1875, Ed died at the young age of 37, leaving Justine a widow at 35. She made ends meet with her dressmaking.
In 1879, Justine is listed as Edward’s widow in the 1879 New Orleans City Directory.
In April 1879, Justine appears to have married again to Frank Pratts.
Justine died in 1890 in Habana, Ciego de Avila, Cuba, at the age of 49. DATE AND PLACE OF DEATH HAVE NOT YET BEEN VERIFIED.
SOURCES
Ancestry.com; 1860 United States Federal Census; 1870 United States Federal Census; The Times Democrat New Orleans, Louisiana · Sunday, April 20, 1879; 1879 New Orleans City Directory
Exploring Florida History 