Author Archives: Learning family histories

White Cane Day: Seeing ways to celebrate visually impaired ancestors

In our family, we are aware of at least two relatives — one is an ancestor — who were and are visually impaired. In our lineage, Great Aunt Ada Chitwood Wilkes, became blind during our Grandmother Helen Wilkes Owen Douthy’s youth. The other visually impaired — fully blind — relative is John Charles Kimbrough, 36,Continue reading “White Cane Day: Seeing ways to celebrate visually impaired ancestors”

Laboring Days for Black Americans: The story behind the September holiday

It’s’ Labor Day. The “celebration” is a U.S. holiday and has been dubbed the unofficial closing of summer. There are many layers to the meaning of Labor Day for Black folk. Here is an excerpt from the ebook, “Black Laboring Days,” Copyright © 2021 by Ann Wead Kimbrough, Mark Owen Chapter FourLabor Day and BlackContinue reading “Laboring Days for Black Americans: The story behind the September holiday”

MONDAY MAY 30, 2022I STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF MY ANCESTORSYour connection to your ancestors is the shortest path to God. Whatever your connection to your ancestors is- whether it is a heart connection or whether it is a distant memory- they are a part of you. And you are a part of them. Your connection with them transcends lost stories, names, and pictures. You are here because of them, and their soul lives in your heart, bones, and flesh. I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors. I know that whether I know their stories or not, I am connected to them. We are bound together by a divine web of life. I call on them every day. I call on my biological ancestors, as well as my spiritual ancestors. My connection with my ancestors gives me life. It is my foundation. Thank you, Power, in me, through me, as me, around me, through the Christ within. And so it is.Honor your father and your mother,that your days may be long upon the landwhich the Lord your God gives you.Exodus 20:12Daily Thoughts from the HillCopyright: Hillside International Truth Center, Inc.Bishop Dr. Jack L. Bomar – Executive BishopBishop Dr. Barbara L. King – Founder

How to stay out of “trouble” when posting ancestry, genealogy, historic finds

One of the best ways to attract the attention of the genealogy “police” is to utilize materials that are either copyright protected or belong to private collections. Instead, find the copyright owners and utilize government archives and subscription services — including those that require fees — to remain free and clear in your postings. ForContinue reading “How to stay out of “trouble” when posting ancestry, genealogy, historic finds”

Fun Family history via public photos

How I found myself in random research The next time you look at a public photo, take a second and third look. Look at little closer. I did just that and discovered a few gems that otherwise would remain barely etched into my childhood memories. At the picture in this blog feed, you will noticeContinue reading “Fun Family history via public photos”

Documenting the Boyhood Hometown of a Legendary Jazz Musician

A recent visit to East St. Louis, I’ll., yielded highs and lows. Jazz musician ancestor Miles Davis grew up in the deep South…that is, southern Illinois. Nearby Davis’ boyhood home are stark images of ravaged homes such as this one I captured while riding in the back seat of a SUV. What are you capturing?Continue reading “Documenting the Boyhood Hometown of a Legendary Jazz Musician”

“Negroes catching small catfish with their hands. Bait to be used in shoals of Little River near Eatonton, Georgia” — U.S. Library of Congress

It’s time for you to dig those old photos out of boxes, closets and other places to display for us to share in your family history. Check out Putnam County. Let’s guess the year!

Something different for Freebie Friday: Part-time Research Assistant Job in GA

GEORGIA ARCHIVES The Georgia Archives, a unit of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, invites applications for a part-time Administrative Research Assistant for an NEH grant. SUMMARY The Administrative Research Assistant will be a member of a team working on a National Endowment for the Humanities grant-funded project to identify GeorgiaContinue reading “Something different for Freebie Friday: Part-time Research Assistant Job in GA”

FREEBIE FRIDAY!

Join this listing, especially if you know the names of your families’ enslavers. Even if you are like us and have not confirmed those names, join the ones who have located this part of their legacies. https://beyondkin.org/enslaved-populations-research-directory/?s=09