Welcome to the African Roots Podcast!
You can reach me at AfricanRootsPodcast@gmail.com.
Well the fall season is here, even though the weather is still warm outside. Hope you are planning and looking ahead for fall.
New Events:
September 15, Wilmington Delaware:
“Telling Your African American Family Story: An Introductory Genealogy Workshop,” Saturday, September 15th, in Wilmington, Delaware. Among the speakers are Shamele Jordon, Syl Woolford, Jim J. Jones, Constance J. Cooper. The event will run from 10:00 to 3:30 pm. For more information, send e-mail to MKJ579@aol.com with your name and number of people attending OR Telephone Constance Cooper at Delaware Historical Society, 302-295-2385
September 16, Tidewater Virginia Area:
Russell Hopson will speak Sunday the 16th at 3:00 PM York Hall in Yorktwon, VA His topic is “Union Army Census of the Colored Population of York County, March 1865 “ He will tell the stories of some of the Contraband families as they began new chapters in their lives after the Civil War.
September 19th Washington DC 6:30pm-8:30pm This is an interest event that will catch the attention of Civil War enthusiasts. The African American Civil War Museum is hosting, a celebration commemorating “150th anniversary of the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation”. This is also a fund-raising event and is called a Proclamation Gala. The goal is to assist the museum in preserving and telling the stories of the United States Colored Troop and African American involvement in the Civil War. Click HERE to get your tickets or call 202.667.2667.
Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian: Finding Native American Ancestors in African American Families.
Oct. 10-12 conference called “A Progressive Journey Through Indiana History,”
an event sponsored by the Southern Indiana Minority Initiative Inc. of Jeffersonville. This focuses on an interesting story of Elizabeth a former slave who sued a man in court for assault and false imprisonment and who won her cases in 1814. The sponsoring group hopes to establish a Black heritage trail throughout the state of Indiana. For information or details, or to register, contact the Southern Indiana Minority Enterprise Initiative, at (502) 550-0484 or by email tomxnbrown@aol.com. The deadline to register is Sept. 15.
Other events for October:
Chicago Annual Conference
AAHGS Annual Conference
International Black Genealogy Summit
I hope you are taking time on those special projects, both expected and unexpected. I have had a great research year with having been lucky to have found two fascinating stories that I blogged about. (Martha Hockenhull Story, and the Spotswood Rice Story) These stories of unique and little known people from small communities provide truly rich data. These untold heroes reflect the lives and times of our ancestors. Perhaps this should also become our own goal.
Also I always have to suggest that we remember to tell our own research journey in addition to the main story that we focus on. The story of HOW we found the data is just as significant and just as interesting. We must also commit to telling about the journey as well as what we have found. Both are essential and the story of the journey may also inspire others to do the same.
Some of these stories are found in local libraries and archives, and we should use those state and local facilities. Speaking of which, last night’s Bernice Bennett’s show featured Linda McDowell of the Butler Center in Little Rock Arkansas. Great show with a wonderful overview of holdings offered in the state of Arkansas from more than one site in the state. Her show airs every Thursday evening at 9pm on Blog Radio.
Well, this is motivation for all of us to stay focused on those wonderful projects and stories, and keep researching, keep documenting and keep sharing what you find.
