African Roots Podcast Episode #285 September 19, 2014

Welcome back to the African Roots Podcast! You can reach me at AfricanRootsPodcast@gmail.com

Well in a few days, summer will official end, and fall will officially arrive. Although it’s kind of sad to see the leaves fall, I admit that autumn is truly a beautiful season, so time to enjoy some beautiful colors that the season brings.

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Thanks to everyone who tuned in to listen to my webinar that took place this past Wednesday for the Georgia Genealogical Society. I enjoyed it an am looking forward to the next one!

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Facebook and the active African American Genealogy Groups!

Sample of groups on Facebook

I was fascinated to see an interesting new Facebook group this past week. And a special congratulations to Robin Foster and Jan Edwards. They have launched a new group called “Genealogy, Just Ask”. They are looking for those willing to share their volunteer services so congratulations to them. And it is a good place to also ask questions as well, so go and take a look.

I am continually amazed at the vigor in which people are pursing their family history! Social media is reflective of that activity! I am impressed with the number of groups that are out there, so take a look. at some of these groups:
AfriGeneas
Our Black Ancestry
African American Blogging Circle
Afr. American Genealogy Forum
Afr. American Genealogy Interest Group of Texas
Afr. American Genealogy & History Society of St. Louis
………and so many more!

Take a look at the dozens of African American research groups on Facebook, and join them!

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Folks in the Mid-Atlantic area will be hearing Tim Pinnick tomorrow present his session on Newspapers. He is sponsored by 5 organizations in the Washington-Baltimore areas, and you are urged to contact the local groups to see where the event will take place. (No website link available for this session.)

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Last night’s episode of Bernice Bennett’s show was focused on Louisiana Resources for African American Genealogy. Judy Riffel was the featured guest who shared so much information about the amazing resources coming from that state! Plantation records, church records and so much more were discussed. So much information on this complex and very interesting state was presented, so if you missed it, tune in to hear it. As you know, Research At the National Archives & Beyond airs every Thursday evening at 9:00 pm on Blog Talk Radio. And check out some of the other archived episodes for you.

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Story of Mystery Tombstone, courtesy of KJRH TV

I have a mystery for you.

A cemetery in Wagoner Oklahoma featuring a headstone featuring names of people who have ties to an AME Church. The church is called Bethel Hill AME church. But there is no such church in the town, so genealogists are puzzled by this marker in Elmwood Cemetery. Here is a link to the story for you. Mystery Tombstone. If you have information call 918-485-2741.

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Best African American Genealogy Websites 2014

Congratulations to the 5 websites names “Best” African American websites by Family Tree Magazine!
–AfriGeneas
–Afro-Louisiana Genealogy Database
–Digital Library on American Slavery
–Documenting The American South
–Low Country Africana

All of these sites should be familiar to you, and if you are not familiar with them, please explore them and become familiar with them! And—what are YOUR favorite websites that are are not on the list? Please share them!

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What is your Genealogy Specialty?

This question was placed on a Facebook group today, and I thought I would ask the question to the listening audience? Do you have a passion for a specific place or time period? Are you writing about it, or sharing information that you have? Consider “coming out” with your passion and create a blog or write an article about this passion. Possible specialties: Cemeteries, Preservation, Civil War, Women, Teachers, Rosenwald Schools, Jeanes Teachers, Contraband Camps, and on an on. What is your interest? Dare to tell the story and dare to become the authority! We need so many more writers and specialists. And we need them to share their passion with the rest of us.

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Well, thanks for listening and tuning in today, and thanks for sharing your stories and links! In the meantime, have a great week, and remember to keep researching, keep documenting, and keep sharing what you find!