My grandchildren, ages 3 months to 10 years, are pictured in 2019 with their great-grandmother, age 94. There is so much to share along these ancestry linkages
One of the most often comments I receive from individuals wishing to learn more about their ancestors is something like this:
“I don’t know much or anything about my relatives on my mother’s (or father’s) side.”
“Genealogy research is too time consuming.”
I understand.
Step One
Build your tree by placing your full name (ladies: Please include your maiden name and place the married surname in parantheses) on the single line. That information is placed on the left side of this form:
Next, if you know your parents’ full names, follow the same instructions as above. Be sure to list the full names and that includes all previous marriages (if applicable) on the line
If you do not fully know either or both of your parents, and/or if you are adopted, record the information that your know.
Next, do the same for your grandparents and great-grandparents.
In all, write what you know. It will lead to questions that may or may not be answered by living relatives, friends, neighbors, clergy and other sources.
Whatever you build, do not discard it as it will serve as your foundational beginnng to a long and wonderful detective hunt for your family.
If you are like me and have ties to African American and/or Afro Caribbean ancestry — even a smidget — you are likely a candidate for membership in this great organization: Sons & Daughters of the United States Middle Passage.
Take the time to learn more about historical events involving our special category of ancestors. We devote at leat five hours per week to researching and learning more about Black genealogy.
Start right here with this conference. It begins Frday, May 21, 2021 at 5:45 p.m. EDT. Welcome to the annual conference!
For more information about the Friday-Saturday conference, check out its event page. Be sure to register and also consider adding a donation:
When
Friday, May 21, 2021 at 5:45 PM EDT -to- Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 6:00 PM EDT Add to Calendar
Where
This is an online event. You must register to receive the link to program. Space is limited. Register now.
Contact
Dr. Evelyn A. McDowell Sons & Daughters of the U.S. Middle Passage email: info@sdusmp.org info@sdusmp.org
2021 Annual Conference and
Annual Award Ceremony
On Friday, May 21, we will hold our 5th annual awards ceremony. We honor the work of individuals who helped us, through their service and research, remember and commemorate the estimated 10 million people who were enslaved in the United States and colonial Engish America. Our keynote speaker will be Nicka Sewell-Smith, and our networking event will follow the awards ceremony.
On Saturday, May 22, we hold our 4th annual conference. This year we have over 18 presentations, including “ancestor poster sessions,” a networking/gaming event, and service and book awards. Nicka Swell-Smith will be our plenary speaker before we break into three breakout rooms. In those rooms, we will hear over 10 presentations throughout the day. At lunchtime, we will cook with Chef Keesha O’Galdez and hear a presentation from genealogist Andre Kerns. There will be a business meeting for members of the organization after the conference.
Other speakers include Bernice Bennett, Ric Murphy, Rahkia Nance, Margo Lee Williams, and Yvette LaGonterie. See our conference website for complete information about events and bios of our speakers.
More Information
Please visit our conference websitefor full information about the conference.
Consider a Donation
Please conside a donation to help us fullfil our mssion and to defray the cost of programing. We are grateful for any amount. SDUSMP is a 501(3), charitable organization and all donations are tax-exempt. We are a 100% volunteer organization and all of your donation goes directly into furthering our mission. Just go to www.paypal.me/sdusmp and make your contribution. Thank you in advance. Register Now!
It is a tough lick when one cannot locate a relative whom we know existed, yet is not “findable.” In genealogy research, we refer to such situations as brick walls.
Nebraska State Sen. Ernie Chambers (left) and Organizer Nick Clawson
Photo courtesy of Fred Wolski and Gary Kirk Brown (c)
The reference in the Bible to the Potter’s House https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/jeremiah-18/has many meanings. In relation to the Potter’s Field in Nebraska and in many locations around the globe, the person working pottery never abandoned a lump of clay just because of its imperfections. Instead, it worked it via a wheel or by hand to mold it into something good.
Looking for a relative who may have been forgotten? Check your local and state records as more individuals are being identified and in some cases, relocated to different burial sites.
My gems from AAHGS National Genealogy Conference, Little Rock, AR, September 2011 “Ties tat Bind — Honoring our Ancestors”
Each week, my Good Genes Genealogy Services’ biz partner and first cousin, Mark Owen, and I meet to review our week’s activities and plan for the upcoming months. Our discussiions always include vibrant dialogue about the webinars, live virtual sessions and other related conferences that we recently attended.
Since COVID-19 rocked our worlds in early 2020, Mark is a much more dedicated attendee than me. For several years, I used to be the avud attendee at numerous conferences, lectures and small sessions with genealogy experts. I have countless notes and photo captures to prove it. Lately, I am back in the groove with virtual conferences.
Getting started
If you zoom in and view first photograph in this post, you will see a conference badge and notably, my name badge that indicates my two dominate family surnames. It also includes a conference book.
Get your pre-conference logistics in order. If you are attending in person, check all travel arrangements, especially in this somewhat ongoing health pandemic environment. Virtually? Be sure that your WI-FI is functioning and your tools connect with the conference. Do this hours or even a day before the event in case you have to make techological adjustments.
If utilizing the virtual meetings, notify your family and friends of the time you will be online. Children, pets, delivery persons and others should be given the ‘heads up.’
Establish your goals before signing up for meetings. Peruse the countless websites and associations’ offerings of conferences, meetings and other genealogy trainings. Look for the free sites, first. I love my local and state library sites, the National Archives and the offerings by the AAHGS (Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc., Metro Chapter) www.aahgsatl.org
Keep your conference materials together. I keep my materials in the same bags or folders that are stored in a larger filing system. I have found the business cards from the authors and other attendees “hidden” within the pocket of my name badge. For example, I received a booklet from the National Archives that is still useful. My notes have proved useful as there are some tips offered by presenters that I don’t regularly hear or read about today.
A goodie from one of the workshops that I attended at Mosaic Templars museum was this 12-inch ruler with inscriptions on both sides that highlighted every black elected official in Arkansas between 1868 and 1893
Bring your electronic or paper notetaking materials to ensure that you don’t count on your memory. While in-person conferences typically offer(ed) notepads and more, the virtual meetings sometime offer post-event taped recordings. Yet, it is helpful for me to have my notebook and sticky notes nearby for key information such as email addresses of speakers who I wish to contact.
Look for networking opportunities to enhance your experiences. Virtually, it is absolutely possible to link with presenters, attendees and other organizations since chat rooms and verbal conversations lend itself to such activities.
Support the sponsors and presenters. Look for the outside websites and on-line stores that may offer you the opportunity purchase retail items.
Supporting an author by purchasing her book and chatting after her presentation
Keep all receipts and check out potential tax-deductible, continuing education credits and other potential benefits from attending all conferences. Your virtual time and potential travel (i.e., to another genealogist’s home, office) offer potential tax benefits.
Do something. If there was a spark ignited in your being to develop an activity, program or related item from an inspirational moment from the conference, make that your beginning of a great work. For instance, I appreciated the outline of a recent, 2-day virtual genealogy conference. Mark and I are planning a shortened version of a genealogy conference.
Take at least an hour to review your conference highlights and write up a paragraph about the event. This annotated activity will serve you well in future genealogy references and more.
Send a thank you note to the presenters who you enjoyed (also see #4 for networking), the conference host organizations and other individuals who contributed to the conference. It is a good time — if there is no ‘how did we do’ follow up offered — to politely inform the conference organizers about any technical or otherwise glitches.
Saturday, May 15, 2021I AM MY ANCESTORS In life, there is no separation. There is no separation from the past, the present, and the future. We are the center of it all. We are the life of God that lived as our ancestors. They passed their life on to us. Who they are is encoded in our DNA, cells, soul, and physical features. We are who they are. We are one and the same. We too are here to impress our collective soul-full imprint upon the earth.
I am part of a never-ending story of the mighty miracle of this thing called Life. I am a miracle to behold. A miracle to extend to the world. I am a wisdom keeper and a revealer of what is sacred and precious about Life. Every aspect of my journey is significant. I celebrate it and let God multiply its blessings. Thank you, Power, in me, through me, as me, around me, through the Christ within. And so it is. I am reminded of your true faith, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure now in you also.2 Timothy 1:5 Daily Thoughts from the HillCopyright: Hillside International Truth Center, Inc.Bishop Dr. Jack L. Bomar – Executive BishopBishop Dr. Barbara L. King – Founder Minister/World Spiritual Leader Renew/Subscribe: http://www.HillsideInternational.orgAddress Change/Mailing Questions/Did not receive – Contact: jjones@hillsidechapel.org
I had the honor of working with a fine man, William Durant, during my tenure as Director, Fulton County (Atlanta, GA) Government’s Information and Public Affairs Department. That was several years ago. From time to time, I wonder what became of Bill and a few other fine co-workers from various career appointments that I was fotunate to hold.
Last year, I “found” Bill. My cousin, Mark Owen, and I noticed his name and image in a newlsetter of a then-new organization we joined, the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc. Metro Atlanta Chapter (AAHGS) We were elated as Mark and I had wonderful memories of working with Bill.
Today, I received a sad notice that his Bill’s mother has passed. I intend to send Bill and his family a bereaement acknowledgement. What I appreiate about the anouncement is that it included a bio of his mother as presented in a proclamation by the South Carolina legislature.
How Roberta Dannelly Durant is still teaching us an important lesson
The S.C. resolution to honor Mrs. Durant’s life is an example to all.
For budding or longtime genealogists, note the writing capture about the honored life of of Mrs. Durant. The resolution is a textbook example of how to present someone’s life to those who knew her and others of us who did not know this historic lady.
South Carolina General Assembly 122nd Session, 2017-2018
House Resolution Sponsors: Reps. Alexander and Henegan Document Path: l:\council\bills\rm\1392cz18.docx
Introduced in the House on May 1, 2018 Adopted by the House on May 1, 2018
Summary: Roberta Dannelly Durant
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/1/2018 House Introduced and adopted (House Journal-page 55)
5/1/2018 (Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)
A HOUSE RESOLUTION
TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR ROBERTA DANNELLY DURANT OF FLORENCE AND TO CONGRATULATE HER AS SHE CELEBRATES SEVENTY-FIVE REMARKABLE YEARS AS A MEMBER OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives are pleased to learn that Roberta Dannelly Durant of Florence is marking three quarters of a century as a dedicated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA), the nation’s first sorority established by African-American women; and
Whereas, born in Bishopville the sixth of seven children, she graduated in 1940 from Mathers Academy in Camden; and
Whereas, in 1943, the young Roberta pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Beta Sigma Chapter, at what was to become South Carolina State College, from which she graduated in 1944 with a bachelor’s degree in business education; and
Whereas, as a new teacher, she taught at Carver Elementary School in Florence. During that first year in the classroom, she taught thirty third-grade students, being determined to touch each one every day. She retired after more than thirty years as an educator; and
Whereas, on March 8, 1952, Roberta Durant became one of seventeen charter members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Epsilon Chi Omega Chapter, in Florence. She has been a member of AKA for seventy-five years and is now a Diamond Member of the sorority, which she has served as president, financial secretary, and parliamentarian. In addition, she has served on a number of committees, among them the By-laws, Cotillion, Health, and Family and Friends Day committees, the latter as chair. She also has directed plays presented in the community by the sorority; and
Whereas, a woman of faith, Mrs. Durant serves her God at Cumberland United Methodist Church (UMC). Past and present service for the church includes the following: member and president of the Cumberland Organization of United Methodist Women, district treasurer of the United Methodist Women, chair of both the Cumberland UMC Finance Committee and Stewardship Committee, director of the Methodist Youth Fellowship Program, first den mother for the Cumberland Boy Scouts, Bible study coordinator, Sunday School teacher, and team leader for the Nurture/Class Leader Committee; and
Whereas, Roberta Durant believes strongly in personal involvement with her community, and her convictions have led her to serve that community, as well as the broader community of South Carolina and beyond, in several capacities. These include membership on the Florence County Disabilities & Special Needs Board, in the National Council of Negro Women and Pelican House Board for Light House Ministries, and volunteer service for the Duke Foundation. In the 1980s, she served as a member of the Election Commission for the City of Florence, and in 1981 she was one of the appellants in a court case argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals to place attorney Mordecai Johnson on the city council ballot by petition; and
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is grateful for Roberta Durant’s life of service and her remarkable legacy, and the members commend her for seventy-five years of devoted membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor Roberta Dannelly Durant of Florence and congratulate her as she celebrates seventy-five remarkable years as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Roberta Dannelly Durant.—-XX—-
This web page was last updated on May 31, 2018 at 4:51 PM
We are members of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc. Metro- Atlanta Chapter and one of its tremendous benefits is its notification of great events.
Check out this virtual event: April 30 and May 1, 2021 … you don’t want to miss this!
The not-so secret to becoming a fantastic family genealogy researcher starts with you.
The more that I pour through records in search of even the tiniest of information related to a long-lost relative, I focus on how much easier it would be if I knew more about their lives. Sadly, for those of us with brown-colored relatives, the historical documents are likely long ago destroyed, never recorded, not ever respected and typically not in the same places as our European and related counterparts.
This is often my manta. Yet, I love the payoff of good research results about my family and that of our clients.
Here are my tips on how to look ahead to building the type of information that will help future family researchers. After all, one day we will become ancestors to the ages.
What would you like for your descendants to know about you? This is your opportunity to provide the facts and other interesting information about you to preserve records that otherwise may be hard for them to locate.
I recommend the following:
Record your birth date, location, time, day of the week and any other factoids from your historic arrival on this earth.
Record all of your legal names, including nicknames. For instance, my “government name” is Ann Lineve. My nickname is “Nieve.”
List your parents’ and grandparents’ information that includes the aforementioned information. Make sure that your records are accurate. That is, sometimes we ask our parents questions and they may or may not know all of their birth, etc. facts. That’s where your research skills come in. Compare the results you locate with what your parents or grandparents may have for you.
Follow the same advice that I’ve offered (see above) involving your children, spouses, partners, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, “play Mommas and Dads” and any other close relatives.
Record your information! You will be appreciated as an ancestor. Photo by Ann Nekr on Pexels.com
If you or anyone immigrated from other country, and/or lived in other countries, please include that information along with dates and other relevant information.
Where have you resided? List those places, including college locations and other spots, no matter the length of your stay. It helps to place this in chronological order.
My daughter is a U.S. Army veteran. It is helpful to list any military records and other related public service with similar dates, times and other publishable information.
What is your religious affiitation? Has it always been what you are now recording or did you change denominations? All of this information is helpful to the future family researchers.
Be sure to leave behind your careers and years of service. Why did you choose the careers that define your professional work?
There’s helpful information about your health. Please include all commentary is included in your documents for family researchers.
Include as much about your life as possible. I would add that I took courses in comedy and actually performed on the Second City stage — twice!
Remember to physically describe yourself now and in previous years. Place photographs of yourself in records that are findable.
Thanks to technlogy, all of the offerings that I recommended could be easily filed in this manner. I encourage you to sign up for the free or paid electronic sites to help organize your information. Even with enviornmental challenges, if there is a way to print your information, do so. Place it in a safe place. It is always a great discovery when your descendants find information in your handwriting or outside of technology.
