Hello and welcome back to the African Roots Podcast! You can always reach me HERE.
Greetings from a snowy Maryland, on the first day of spring! Yes, as spring arrives we are greeted by snow. Thankfully this will be a brief one, and we shall have warmer weather tomorrow.
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Well now is the time to register for MAAGI, the Midwest African -American Genealogy institute. This year there is a new track—a Writer’s track. Perhaps you have considered telling your story on paper–well this is the chance. The tracks are:
Fundamental Methods and Strategies for African American Research
Genealogy Writing From Planning to Publication
Pre & Post Emancipation Era Records
Genealogy As a Profession
So check out the website and I hope that you will consider joining us in St. Louis!
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Interested in Native American ancestry? Note that tomorrow at the Enoch Pratt library in Baltimore, an all day session for African and Native American genealogy. I will be the speaker, and I am so excited about the events.
If you cannot make to Baltimore, then try to make the presentations by Melvin Collier who will be presenting at the monthly meeting of the Central MD chapter of AAHGS.
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Who is Nicka Smith?
Well, you need to check out the workshops being offered by Nicka Smith and she is offering some interesting classes online. April 7, 9th, 14th, and 16th. These classes provide a good opportunity for beginners to expand their skill set. Her focus on technology is sorely needed. We know that many people come in to genealogy after seeing a number of ads from Ancestry. Well, I encourage to look at Nicka’s workshops.
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Last night’s episode of Bernice Bennett’s show was quite interesting. She had a primary scholar of the Lowman family. She has done almost all of the research on the program, and one could get a sense of the actual climate of the state of So. Carolina in the 1920s. The story was testament to the legacy of that family as well. Also a relative of the family was included, and it was a show that makes one think. Our legacy does not begin in tragedy nor does it end there. I was impressed to hear that their legacy and self perception was a strong one, that surpassed the lynching story. Not sure that the primary question of the young man was ever answered on the tv program, but it was fascinating to hear the family voice.
Some of the genealogy entertainment programs are interesting to watch. But as stories of tragedy should be told with compassion and respect. There are relatives who were affected by the tragedy. I watched another show where the story of a teenage mother was told. But though this happened 70 or 80 years ago, there are still relatives who remembered that person and who loved that person. They had not seen their beloved grandmother as a tragic teenaged mother looking for love. I wrote a blog post with more of the genealogy of the family that was never shared on air. I needed to write about the story and about her genealogy that was not shared. I have since heard from two of the lady’s grandchildren and one was a niece, all of whom were surprised and shock when their ancestor’s story was presented.
Genealogy for entertainment programs have to tread cautiously when telling a story and to remember that there are family members. The story was depicted in the national press, finding out about their beloved grandma. Had the producers looked for them? Included them in the story? And was the story of the young mother told with compassion? We are all treading new ground, but the genealogy should include more than just the salacious part of the story. I do think that listening last night to the show, related to the Lowman family story. We should include the voices of those people involved. And they still feel some of the pain, and their voices deserve to be heard, not just the host of the show.
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Well, time to wind things down on this snowy Friday. I hope that spring comes where you are, and I look forward to warmer days with enthusiasm.
In the mean time, keep researching, keep documenting and please keep sharing what you find.
