Category: Black Genealogy

“Uncovering African Roots: The Fascinating Link Between Twin Births and Ancestry Heritage” Keywords: Twin births, African roots, Heritage, African heritage, Genetic link, Ancestry DNA
Mothers of fraternal twin children: From left, Blog Author Ann aka Ama (born on Saturday) and “Abena” (born on Tuesday) at Elmina (Ghana) Slave Dungeon

Who knew that giving births to fraternal twins would be a strong linkage to connecting African Diasporan families? Do twins “run in your family?”

In African diasporan genealogy, I’ve found several clues that live within me as a fraternal twin mother, and within so many other African, African American, Brazilian, Caribbean women. In short, twin births are the highest among Black women in these regions of the world. By contrast, fraternal twin births are low in Europe and the lowest in East Asia.

I’ve been curious about the birth of twins since my boy and girl set were born some forty years ago at Georgia Baptist Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia USA. Each time I’ve visited Africa since 2010, I’ve met mothers of twins, family members of twins, and of course, twins. The intersting feature is that often fraternal Black twins — that is, not identical ones — do not necessarily have similar outward features. I have a sense that some combinations of people are twins and that is how I often make such connections on USA, Caribbean and African soils. On an April 2026 visit to Ghana’s Elmina community, I easily located a mother of fraternal twin children (pictured, on right). She, too, had a boy and girl twin who were soon to celebrate a milestone birthday.

Diaspora Connection

The same regions in West Africa known for higher twinning rates are also regions where many our enslaved Africans ancestors were trafficked from. It is interesting that elevated rates of fraternal twins among African-descended populations in the U.S., Caribbean, and Brazil. I met groups of people from northeast Ghana who are connected to Brazil.

This is more than a statistic—it is continuity. Even after the forced enslaved passages across the Atlantic Ocean where we are still piecing together generations of separations, something remained.

Fraternal twinning that is mostly linked to West African ancestry is a huge genealogy search clue. This inherited trait traveled across generations during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and still appears in families today. For genealogists that include me, and for all family researchers, twin births are helping to trace maternal lines.

This means that we can reconnect with our ancestors through another familial linkage and remind us that even when records are long gone, our fraternal twin ancestry leaves a wonderful mark.

Twins as Genealogical Clues

As we comb through government and other historical records, be on the look out for the following clues about your family that will likely help to further identify African geographical and genealogical linkages:
- Two children listed with the same age and date of birth in early Census records;
- Probate, plantation, church and other social documents referring to “twins”;
- Oral family stories about the “two born together”; and
- Repeated twin births on maternal sides of our families.
I’ve located twins on my paternal and maternal family lines based on the connection of birth dates. It is shoring up my family’s linkage to West Africa.

In most of West Africa, the birth of twins is considered a significant sign from the gods. Amongst the Yoruba they are thought to bring good luck — St. Louis Art Museum

More Than a Coincidence

For those who are interested in the science of twinning, fraternal twins happen when a woman releases more than one egg during ovulation. Research shows this occurs more often in some West African populations than anywhere else in the world. That means it may not be random when repeated twin births occur in a family line—especially across generations. Our ancestors and today’s Black families often remark that “twins skip a generation” or something similar when explaining the phenomenon of twin births within families.

For instance, my maternal grandmother gave birth to fraternal twin daughters. Skipping a generation, I birthed fraternal twin children — John and Jocelyn.

Several recent studies track twin births in West Africa. According to a study of data from 135 countries by the University of Oxford’s Christiaan Monden and his colleagues published in 2020, the Ivory Coast had a rate of 24.9 twins for every 1,000 births during 2010 – 2015. The report found that Ghana and South Sudan had the second-highest twinning rate, each with 24.8 twins per 1,000 deliveries, followed by Liechtenstein on 24.7 per 1,000. About 1.6 million twins are now born worldwide each year.

“The twinning rate in Africa is so high because of the high number of dizygotic twins – twins born from two separate eggs – born there.” He continued, “This is most likely to be due to genetic differences between the African population and other populations,” explained researcher Monden.

Next steps

We spend our time in genealogy and ancestry research searching for what was lost. Things and people are not really lost, all are simply unrecognized.

Twin births remind us that our ancestors left patterns, traits, and living evidence of who they were and where they came from. Even in the absence of records, the body remembers.

Our stories are told in pairs.
April 23, 2026
Uncover Hidden Family Stories: Search ‘The Black Dispatch’ Newspaper Now!
The Mast family children pay tribute to their mother and father on June 19, 1948

Remember to search newspapers – The Black Dispatch – for family stories Are you searching for a new and exciting way to connect with your family’s past? Look no further than the archives of The Black Dispatch, an acclaimed newspaper that has been capturing and documenting the stories of African American communities for over a century. Founded in 1915 by civil rights activist and journalist Roscoe Dungee, The Black Dispatch quickly became a pillar of the Black press, serving as a source of news and information for African Americans across the United States. Since then, it has been covering important local, national, and international events that have shaped the Black experience. The Black Dispatch is important to our African Diasporan genealogy research:
- Rich in history: The newspaper has been a vital part of Black history, chronicling important events such as the Civil Rights Movement, the Great Migration, and the election of the first African American president.
- Uncovering untold stories: The Black Dispatch regularly featured articles and obituaries about ordinary people in the community, giving valuable insight into the lives of your ancestors.
- Community-focused: Unlike mainstream newspapers, The Black Dispatch focused on issues and events that were relevant to the Black community, providing a unique perspective on historical events.
- Rare photographs and advertisements: Along with news articles, The Black Dispatch also featured rare photographs and advertisements, giving you a glimpse into the everyday life of your ancestors.
With its extensive coverage and rich historical value, The Black Dispatch offers a unique opportunity to uncover and preserve your family’s stories.
April 6, 2026
My ancestor: From Slavery to Freedom, Fortune and a Life of Stewardship

He was a Mulatto slave who became a wealthy businessman, politician, college founder, co-founder of the CME church and much more. Isaac Harold Anderson (1835-1906)

For more than ten years, I searched for an ancestor whose life’s detail perpetually eluded me. I knew that he lived in middle Georgia USA and was “famous” according to the tales of my family members. I combed through census pages, examined geographical records of Ft. Valley, GA, and squinted at old newspaper clippings. Each clue felt like a puzzle piece, but somehow the picture never completely came together. If you’re like me, you may have chased family history, you know the mix of excitement and frustration that comes with a search like this.

Then one day, while wandering through online resources, I stumbled across something called DBpedia. At first, the name sounded technical and far removed from genealogy. But curiosity won out, and I clicked in. To my surprise, there it was—the information I had been chasing for over a decade, neatly organized and connected in ways I hadn’t imagined.

So what is DBpedia? In plain terms, it’s a online — Wikipedia-like styled — service that takes all the facts inside Wikipedia and arranges them in a way that curious researchers like us can easily search and connect. Instead of scrolling through long articles, the basic facts are laid out like entries in a digital family tree. Because of it linking information together, it shows connections across places, people, and time that I and others have obviously missed.

Slave Ancestor Breakthrough!

Drumroll please: I not only found I.H. Anderson (1835 – 1906) in a few historical newspapers, I located an abundance of proven documents. Author Alicia K. Jackson wrote a book about my ancestor — a former slave, founder of Lane College, co-founder of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, pioneering politician, businessman, father, husband (3 times) and “more.” The “more” is significant as explained in the preview about the book, The Recovered Life of Isaac Anderson about my maternal fifth great-grandfather:

“Anderson was instrumental in helping freed people leave Georgia for the security of progressive safe havens with significantly large Black communities in northern Mississippi and Arkansas. Eventually under threat to his life, Anderson made his own exodus to Arkansas, and then later still, to Holly Springs, Mississippi, where a vibrant Black community thrived.” — The Recovered Life of Isaac Anderson | University Press of Mississippi

Repeat Research Steps

It was my mother’s recent comment about her aunt informing my Mom that “we have an ancestor who had something to do with the founding of Lane College” in Jackson, Tenn. I’ve heard this claim since I formally began ancestry and genealogy research in 2009. About a decade ago, I believed it to be I.H. Anderson, yet Lane College’s references to him were brief and the Anderson name did not initially line up with my maternal family tree. Something inside of me kept the Anderson linkage alive. I discovered that he was married three times and that included his first wife, Edith, mother of Hattie Anderson Powers, who was the mother of Armentha Powell Owen, the mother of Eugene Owen, Jr., the father of my mother, Angeline Cecil Owen Wead. Whew!

The key to unlocking the mystery was to establish that Hattie Anderson was the daughter of Edith and I.H. Anderson.

Lesson learned

My delay in linking Anderson to my family lineage stems from the cautious intent to prove our African Diasporan links. It is not an excuse, rather an explanation that highlights the meticulous and lengthy tasks of locating materials about our loved ones in buried treasurers. Once I confirmed that I.H. Anderson is in the family, the rest became easy. I used newspaper clippings, church records, historical books, government records, and photographs to confirm my findings. Our family features light-skinned ancestors and living relatives. I. H. Anderson is the son of a white enslaver, William J. Anderson, and an unnamed “Negro” or mixed Negro/Native American woman. His fair skin color is therefore, totally understandable.

More about the Amazing Ancestor Anderson

The turbulent and victorious history of I.H. Anderson is so much more than this blog space. I commit to work on a lengthier piece about him and our family that will result in a book-length manuscript, video and audio content.

September 19, 2025
How To Tips for Solving the ‘Two Names, One Date: The Genealogy Puzzle of Slaveholders and the Enslaved’ (Part 2)
In earlier blogs, I shared the fairly typical challenge of separating ancestors with the same names. That is, in the case that I provided, the ancestors shared the same/similar names, birthdates and birth locations. See below:

Frame the research question

Similar to planning an event, the first step in achieving desired, accurate results in ancestry and genealogy research, is to know thy primary question that requires the ultimate answer. In this case, my primary questions are:
- Are there two distinct individuals named Simeon Simpson born ~1833 in North Carolina—one enslaver’s son (white) and one enslaved/freed?
- If so, — and if so, how are they distinguished and are they biologically related?
Working hypotheses:
1. 1. Two different men, same name/year, same county.
  2. Same county, hidden kinship — is the one son the product of the enslaver or enslaver’s male relative? Who is the biological father?
  3. Different counties/communities—name coincidence only.
Create a research log (spreadsheet) with columns: Record, Repository/URL, Jurisdiction, Date of Record, Reported Age, Implied Birth Yr, Race/Status, Household/Associates, Notes, Citation.

Summary of my review and verification

First, I completed another name and variant searches for Simeon/Simon/Sion/Simons + Simpson/Simson/Sampson/Sambson. Why?

The early Census takers were U.S. Marshals and their contractors. They, along with ministers and clerks, wrote what they heard and not what was correct. There are also regional accents that caused names to be spoken that usually sounded differently in other areas.

Also, the post-Civil War/Reconstruction period showed many deliberate name changes. The same is true during and after the Great Migration.
- Phonetic spelling: Census takers, ministers, or clerks wrote what they heard, not what was “correct.”
- Low literacy: Many ancestors could not spell their own names consistently, so others wrote it down for them.
- Regional accents: A name spoken in one county or state might sound different elsewhere.
- Deliberate changes: Some families altered spellings after migration or emancipation.The
- Phonetic spelling: Census takers, ministers, or clerks wrote what they heard, not what was “correct.”
- Low literacy: Many ancestors could not spell their own names consistently, so others wrote it down for them.
- Regional accents: A name spoken in one county or state might sound different elsewhere.
- Deliberate changes: Some families altered spellings after migration or emancipation.
- Pull 1850 & 1860 population schedules for all white Simeon Simpson candidates; build Track A timeline.
- Identify Simpson slaveholding households in 1850 & 1860 slave schedules; list enslaved males with ages 14 & 24 (±2) to match 1836/1842…1833 birth window.
- Request probate/estate packets for those Simpson slaveholders; extract any enslaved “Simeon.”
- Search Freedmen’s Bureau labor contracts in that county for Simeon attached to a Simpson employer.
- Search Freedmen’s Bank for Simeon (Simpson) with NC birthplace; capture kin/former owner details.
- Pull 1866 Cohabitation register for the county; look for Simeon and partner; note former owner.
- Locate 1870 census entries for Black/Mulatto Simeon (Simpson/variants) in same county; map neighbors (FAN).
- Check USCT and Confederate military files for men named Simeon/Simon Simpson b. ~1833 NC; note physical descriptions and next of kin.
- Build the comparison table and update as you add records; highlight evidence of intersection or separation.
September 18, 2025
“Unlocking Your Roots: Mastering Ancestry and Genealogy Searches for a Strong Sense of Belonging”

I belong to several ancestry and genealogy research groups, chats, organizations, and regularly participate in training sessions. This aids in my development as a genealogist specializing in African Diasporan family searches.

One of my favorite organizations is the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc., especially the metro Atlanta chapter. Here’s a sample of the great connections you are provided by AAHGS when you join the organization:

21 JUL 2024(pictorial generated by AI)

These events are provided as a courtesy to our AAHGS Metro Atlanta members but are not the responsibility of our chapter.

Timelines for Genealogy, Dottie Baugh

Mon Jul 22nd

Presented by Charlotte County Genealogical Society
10:30am ET

All classes are free and open to the public. For a Zoom link, send an email to President@ccgsi.org

For details see www.ccgsi.org

The Homestead Act, with Ranger, Amber Kirkendall, Homestead National Historic Park

Mon Jul 22nd

Presented by Heritage Seekers Genealogy Club
7:30pm ET

Ranger, Amber Kirkendall, Homestead National Historic Park

This is a Zoom virtual meeting. To get a link to attend, you must:
– be a paid member, or
– subscribe to our email list at https://heritageseekersar.com/subscribe/ or
– follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/heritageseekersar.club

Zoom link available closer to the event – See the website!

For details see heritageseekersar.com/

Pins & Needles: Adding Social Media to Your Genealogy Repertoire

Mon Jul 22nd

Presented by Plainfield Area Public Library
8:00pm ET

Many of us have used Facebook to find distant cousins and former high school friends. Join us for a fun session on using sites like Pinterest, Flickr, Instagram and more to locate, identify and share ancestors.

This is a virtual program. Login information will be sent when you register for the program

For details see plainfieldpubliclibrary.librarymarket.com/event/virtual-pins-needles-adding-social-media-your-genealogy-repertoire-65597

Researching LGBTQ Genealogy, with Stewart Traiman

Mon Jul 22nd

Presented by Denver Public Library
8:00pm ET

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer folk have always been a part of our history and family stories. Our trees’ confirmed bachelor or spinster aunt may not have been single. Perhaps they did have partners but there is no legal documentation or family acknowledgment. This class will explore census, newspapers, obituaries, military records, photographs, phone books, and archives for clues on our ancestor’s sexuality. We will also explore LGBTQ History and many individual stories giving context to the available records. Discovering our LGBTQ ancestors’ stories and inviting them back into our trees will enrich our entire family history.

For details see www.denverlibrary.org/event/researching-lgbtq-genealogy

Beginning Ancestry by Scott Jones

Tue Jul 23rd

Presented by Los Angeles FamilySearch Center
2:00pm ET

What and where?

For details see churchofjesuschrist.zoom.us/j/95462341725?pwd=dmxZaWNGR1hpWVlCM1lYaHBENERLdz09#successlBSaWtyS0pwSDJxdz09%23success

Using the FamilySearch Catalog by Clark Jenkins

Tue Jul 23rd

Presented by Los Angeles FamilySearch Center
5:00pm ET

Learn how to search the entire FamilySearch database using the Catalog. This will include searching indexed and unindexed records, book titles and authors, and keyword searches. Learn how to navigate through unindexed record collections to find digitized original records.

For details see churchofjesuschrist.zoom.us/j/95462341725?pwd=dmxZaWNGR1hpWVlCM1lYaHBENERLdz09#successlBSaWtyS0pwSDJxdz09%23success

What’s the Tea in Your Family Tree?

Tue Jul 23rd

Presented by Charlotte Mecklenburg Library / West Boulevard Library
6:00pm ET

Unearth secrets, reveal truths, and explore the colorful stories hidden within your ancestral lineage.

This is a HYBRID program, so you can attend in-person at West Boulevard Library or online via Zoom.

*Registration Required* Registration begins the first day of the month.

For details see cmlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/664e02e3e3e1ee30003fe2c7

Genealogy for Beginners: Census records and obituaries

Tue Jul 23rd

Presented by Cincinnati Public Library / Pleasant Ridge
6:30pm ET

Census records and obituaries are the most popular and easiest to find genealogical records. Learn how to search for and use these records when digging into your family history.

This event will be in person at the Pleasant Ridge Branch and also live streamed over Zoom. The Zoom link will be shared a few hours before the program starts.

Registration is required to receive the Zoom link.

For details see cincinnatilibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/65d74df01e57af280037c162

Finding and Using City Directories for Genealogy – Fourth Tuesday Genealogy Series

Tue Jul 23rd

Presented by The Erie Society for Genealogical Research
7:00pm ET

Fourth Tuesday Genealogy Series: Session is repeated via Zoom at 7 p.m. For handouts and to register for the session go to: events.erielibrary.org/ and search for genealogy.

23 Jul 2024: Finding and Using City Directories for Genealogy: Information which might be found in city and county directories. What you might be missing in these resources. Locating city directories. Hints for using city directories. Abbreviations. Other historical directories.

For details see www.genealogyerie.org/p/Calendar/event/Finding-and-Using-City-Directories-for-Genealogy-387

The Genealogist’s Google Search Methodology

Tue Jul 23rd

Presented by Louisville Genealogical Society
1:00pm ET

Presented by Lisa Louise Cooke

It’s a new decade, so if you think you know how to Google, think again! Technology changes rapidly and keeping our search skills updated and sharp is key to search success. Come learn the latest Google Search Methodology for Genealogy. You’ll hear about the latest and best search innovations and learn the process that will dramatically improve your genealogical search results. These skills can be used with all associated Google tools.

Free but REGISTRATION REQUIRED at www.kylgs.org

Genealogy Quick Start TV – LIVE with Andre Kearns

Tue Jul 23rd

Presented by Genealogy Quick Start TV
8:00pm ET

Fact or Fiction: Which assumptions are you making about your family history? In “Getting Past Your Assumptions” provide a method for understanding the truth of family-lore. Then our special guest Andre Kearns will dive deeply into the assumptions we make with 1870 census in “Emancipating the Stories of Blended Families in the 1870 Census”

JOIN Live from our YouTube Channel or Facebook Page, LIVE every other Tuesday @ 8:00 PM ET
www.youtube.com/@GenealogyQuickStart/streams

This is an interactive genealogy TV show, not a genealogy webinar. We invite you to chat, comment, and ask questions.

For details see www.facebook.com/events/1011977810605274/

Introduction to Genealogy

Tue Jul 23rd

Presented by Plano Public Library / Haggard Library
8:00pm ET

Learn the basics of common genealogical research tools and techniques.

For details see plano-cep.bc.sirsidynix.net/event/introduction-to-genealogy-2/

Latest Updates to the MyHeritage Mobile App, with Gilad Katz

Tue Jul 23rd

Presented by Legacy Family Tree Webinars
2:00pm ET

More and more, people are preferring to use their mobile devices to access their favorite software and services — and genealogists shouldn’t be left behind. MyHeritage continues to improve the genealogy-on-the-go experience from the MyHeritage mobile app, making it easier than ever to manage your family tree and conduct research from the palm of your hand. In this session, Gilad Katz, Senior Product Manager at MyHeritage, will show you the latest developments in the mobile app.

For details see familytreewebinars.com/webinar/latest-updates-to-the-myheritage-mobile-app/

Stories Behind the Stars – World War II Heroes

Tue Jul 23rd

Presented by the Cobb County Genealogical Society
7:00pm ET

CCGS Board member Loren Plisco volunteers with Stories Behind the Stars, a nonprofit organization dedicated to researching and writing the stories of over 421,000 Americans who sacrificed their lives in World War II. The stories will reside in memorials on Fold3 and will be linked to memorials on FindAGrave. This project is supported by Ancestry, Newspapers.com, Fold3, Together We Served, and other organizations. To date, hundreds of volunteers have written approximately 40,000 stories, with the ambitious goal to complete all of the stories by the end of 2025, which marks the anniversary of the end of World War II.

Register online here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0sduygrTMtE9a-Tw82s-BdPUeWY60wWyiO#/registration

For details see cobbgagensoc.org/

TOTS – Tech on Tuesdays You Can Never Have Too Many Backups — Backups, Data Preservation and Back Blaze

Tue Jul 23rd

Presented by The Colorado Genealogy Society
9:00pm ET

For details see us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsf–urjotH9Hp3pmcJZvhz6Vh5Yvs2rKt

Working with DNA Matches: Beginning to Sort Your Matches

Tue Jul 23rd

Presented by The Genealogy Center at Allen County Public Library
2:30pm ET

In this introductory session, we will learn to work with your genetic cousin matches from an autosomal DNA test. We will learn how to determine your familial relationship to your DNA matches (beginning with known relatives) and begin to sort your matches into groups based on the connecting ancestors that you share. Presented by Sara Allen.

For details see acpl.libnet.info/event/11055953

Imaging by Clark Jenkins

Wed Jul 24th

Presented by Los Angeles FamilySearch Center
5:00pm ET

How to look up images in FamilySearch?

For details see churchofjesuschrist.zoom.us/j/95462341725?pwd=dmxZaWNGR1hpWVlCM1lYaHBENERLdz09#successlBSaWtyS0pwSDJxdz09%23success

Writing Family Stories Within FamilySearch by Holly Jones

Wed Jul 24th

Presented by Los Angeles FamilySearch Center
2:00pm ET

Writing your personal and family stories.

For details see churchofjesuschrist.zoom.us/j/95462341725?pwd=dmxZaWNGR1hpWVlCM1lYaHBENERLdz09#successlBSaWtyS0pwSDJxdz09%23success

Getting Around the Missing 1890 Census, Part 1, with Sara Cochran

Wed Jul 24th

Presented by Fountaindale Public Library
12:00pm ET

Sara Cochran, the Skeleton Whisperer, will help you strategize and gather tips for success in locating your family in other records between the 1880 and 1900 Federal censuses.

The loss of the 1890 Federal census is a source of great frustration for American Genealogists, but all hope is not lost! Sara Cochran, the Skeleton Whisperer, will help you strategize and gather tips for success in locating your family in other records between the 1880 and 1900 Federal censuses. This is part one of a two-session series.

This program is available in a Zoom webinar format. A link and handout will be sent a day before the event. A reminder will be sent an hour before the event.

For details see communico.fountaindale.org/event/9545900

Periodicals for Genealogy

Wed Jul 24th

Presented by Midwest Genealogy Center at Mid-Continent Public Library
7:30pm ET

Learn how to search for and use periodicals at the Midwest Genealogy Center and other libraries, as another resource in your genealogy research. This is a beginner-level class. This class will be held in person as well as virtually via Zoom simultaneously. Registration is required and closes one hour before the start of the program. Please indicate whether you will be attending in person or virtually when registering. An email address is required when registering to attend on Zoom. All start times are Central Standard Time.

For details see www.mymcpl.org/events/98202/periodicals-genealogy-hybrid

From the Grassroots Roundtable: Preserving Places and Stories in the East Tennessee Black Community

Presented by East Tennessee History Center
12:00pm ET

Please join our esteemed panelists as they consider their contributions to the preservation of spaces and stories in their home communities, whether through ensuring the Black community’s history and family connections are shared and/or buildings themselves are saved and reused. They will also share their dreams of next steps and share insights on conducting community projects.

Pre-registration is required, both for in-person or for Zoom.

For details see www.easttnhistory.org/event/advanced-genealogy/

Preserving Family Memories: Audio Recordings

Wed Jul 24th

Presented by Dallas Public Library
3:00pm ET

The sound of a loved one’s voice = irreplaceable family memories. Learn how to digitize and preserve your audio recordings stored on cassette tapes, microcassette tapes and LPs. Hear from one of Dallas Public Library’s A/V librarians on how to edit your audio, and share your precious family memories using the Heritage Lab located on the 8th floor of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library.

This Genealogy & History program is available both in-person at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 8th floor AND online via Zoom.

Please register in advance.

For details see dallaslibrary.librarymarket.com/event/preserving-family-memories-audio-recordings-366192

African American Research Workshop

Wed Jul 24th

Presented by Oakland Family History Library
9:00 PM Eastern

This is an ongoing, free, hands-on research workshop comprised of African Americans, also referred to as Black or Afro-American, or those who harmonize with Sub-Saharan Africa, with ancestry, citizenship, or residency in the United States. The workshop is an interactive exchange of research tools, methods and systems, and discussions necessary for progress at individual levels of family histories and genealogies impacted by the 16th Century removal of Africans to America as slaves.
For a Zoom link to the virtual workshop, churchofjesuschrist.zoom.us/j/98525123399?pwd=WFptb0RWSDk5UjdHVGhtNXl3NkZadz09#success

For additional information E-Mail: pat4gene@gmail.com
or go to
www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Oakland_California_FamilySearch_Library/Learning_Center_Descriptions#African_American_Research_Workshop

Preserving Family History

Thu Jul 25th

Presented by Lake County Public Library
2:30pm ET

Have you ever wondered how to take care of those old photographs, scrapbooks, and stories passed down from generation to generation? This session has got you covered. Join Jeremy Pekarek, Archivist at Indiana University Northwest, to learn more about best practices involving proper housing techniques, documentation, and digital materials.

For details see www.lcplin.org/event/9176704

25+ Free Genealogy Sites

Thu Jul 25th

Presented by St. Louis County Library
7:30pm ET

Explore how to access and use several free websites for your family history research.

Registration opens June1, 2024. Registration required. Participants will receive Zoom information immediately after registering.

For details see slcl.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=96470

Ancestry.com, a Premier Website, Online Class: Great tips for finding your families, and editing photos, and using Storymaker Studio

Thu Jul 25th

Presented by Riverton Utah FamilySearch Center
9:00pm ET

Presented by R. Ray

Ancestry.com, the Premier Family History Website. Ancestry.com has partnered with FamilySearch to easily share family tree records and information. Over 60 billion records (~6 times as many as FamilySearch has) makes it easier to find your families. Over 10 billion of those records come from FamilySearch so, you will see those records too.

To attend the online classes, you will need to register. It is recommended that you review the class handouts before attending the class by viewing them online or by printing them. Handouts available at www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Riverton_Utah_FamilySearch_Center/Online_Classes

Register at churchofjesuschrist.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAkd-muqDgpHdbGtkUcRX5VLxKL2IzeMAJK

For details see www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Riverton_Utah_FamilySearch_Center/Online_Classes

Facebook Workshop for Genealogists

Thu Jul 25th

Presented by Mount Vernon Genealogical Society
1:00pm ET

Instructor: Jo Pearson

Unlock the power of Facebook for your genealogy research! Learn how to create and manage a genealogy-focused Facebook page or group, best practices for posting and sharing, and how to use Facebook events to organize virtual meetups or collaborative research sessions.

TO REGISTER: Please send an email with your name and phone number, the class date and title, to Amy Breedlove at albreedlove@comcast.net
Thank you.

Once you’ve registered, a reminder email will be sent to you a few days ahead of the class with the zoom link and any handouts, etc.

For details see www.mvgenealogy.org/

How to Use Newspapers for Genealogy

Thu Jul 25th

Presented by Cuyahoga County Public Library
7:00pm ET

Tips and tricks on using newspapers in your genealogy research.

A meeting link will be emailed to registered participants approximately one hour prior to the start of the program. Staff will be available for help with connecting to Zoom and technical issues beginning 15 minutes prior to the program. You will need a device with audio and/or video and an internet connection to join.

For details see attend.cuyahogalibrary.org/event/10366070

The Why, Where, When, What and How of Lineage and Hereditary Societies, with Christine Cohen

Thu Jul 25th

Presented by Marin County Genealogical Society
10:00pm ET

Why should you join a lineage society? How do you join a lineage society? What activities do they perform? What member benefits are available? Are DNA test results a membership option?

The Genealogical Society General meetings are open to the public, with no admission fee. Feel free to drop in! Bring your friends as everyone is welcome. Come early and ask your burning genealogical questions of other members before the meeting.

The public is welcome to attend all of our virtual meetings. Contact info@maringensoc.org for more information.

Please register in advance.

For details see www.maringensoc.org/event-5756426

Genealogy in Teaching

Fri Jul 26th

Presented by CALS Central Arkansas Library System
1:00pm ET

Learn how to use genealogy databases and other resources to teach language arts, science, and math as well as social studies.

This is a hybrid event; the in-person class will take place in Meeting Room B at the Fletcher Library. Virtual attendees will access the class via Zoom.

If you wish to attend virtually, you must register to receive the Zoom link to join the class.

Please email at digital@cals.org or call 1.501.320.5724 if you have any questions.

For details see events.cals.org/event/10666775

Military Records at TSLAC

Fri Jul 26th

Presented by Texas State Library and Archives Commission
9:00am ET Find out how to locate Texas military service records at TSLAC.

The Archives and Information Services Division offers a suite of research webinar recordings on-demand throughout the year. The start date listed here is the date the webinar will be first available.

For details see www.tsl.texas.gov/arc/workshops

8 Tips for Using AI as Your Genealogy Assistant

Fri Jul 26th

Presented by Bay Area Genealogical Society
8:00pm ET

Speaker: Dana Leeds. AI can help you complete many tasks faster than you can on your own. This makes it an incredible time-saver. It can also help you get more out of the records you find. But where do you start? And what can it help you with?

This presentation will highlight eight areas where AI can be a patient and knowledgeable assistant, supporting you in both your genealogy research and daily tasks. In your genealogy work, AI can help you summarize information, extract and visualize data, write engaging family history narratives, convert handwritten documents into searchable text, and illustrate your family story. Additionally, AI can assist you with daily tasks such as tech troubleshooting, saving you valuable time. Join us and discover the various ways AI can help you be more efficient and effective in your pursuits!

For details see www.txbayareagen.org/?page_id=5

Genealogical Research & Writing: Are You a Saint, Sinner, or Bumfuzzled Soul?, with Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL (members only)

Fri Jul 26th

Presented by Legacy Family Tree Webinars
(members only) (VIRTUAL)
2:00pm ET

As researchers, family historians, compilers, bloggers, or writers of other ilk, genealogists face legal and ethical perils they often do not anticipate. This crash course offers practical guidance to enhance your skills and keep you safe as you explore history, reconstruct lives, and “write up” your findings. While the issues are serious—from the legal issue of copyright to the ethical issue of plagiarism—the lessons are taught with a light heart and humor.

For details see familytreewebinars.com/webinar/genealogical-research-writing-are-you-a-saint-sinner-or-bumfuzzled-soul/

Reeling ‘Em in with Cousin Bait: 10 Ways to Connect with Family, with Cheri Hudson Passey

Sat Jul 27th

Presented by Polk County Genealogy Speaker Series
10:00am ET

Want to connect with those who may have information about your family? Learn 10 strategies to help you connect and collaborate with family members, including creating “Cousin Bait.”

This is a hybrid virtual program. The presenter will appear virtually, but guests are invited to join us at the History Center to participate in the Zoom. For Zoom details, contact the Polk County History Center at (863) 534-4386 or ShannonGraham@polk-county.net.

For details see www.polk-county.net/events/reeling-em-in-with-cousin-bait-10-ways-to-connect-with-family-genealogy-speaker-series/

Discovering Your Ancestors – Series 1 with Janet Camarata

Sat Jul 27th

Presented by Puget Sound Genealogical Society
1:30pm ET

Genealogy is an enriching and rewarding way to discover our own families through their written records, photographs and artifacts. Tracing our ancestral roots expands our understanding of history and how they lived in earlier generations. The individual pieces of the family jigsaw puzzle consists of vital records, censuses, land records, immigration, naturalization, military records, church histories, taxes, court and courthouse records, DNA and much more. The tools and techniques used by genealogists today are extensive and include the Internet, specific genealogy programs and websites, i.e. Ancestry and FamilySearch. Learn in a computer environment the resources available online and off-line to investigate the various jigsaw puzzle pieces that document your ancestors’ lives.
This class will focus on Strategic Searching, Sources & Citations, Cemetery Research.
This will be a hybrid class with in person at the Sylvan Way Library and on Zoom. The Zoom link will be posted on our website an our Facebook page on July 26.

For details see www.psgsociety.org

How to Read Old Handwriting, with Lisa Lisson

Sat Jul 27th

Presented by Capital District Genealogical Society
1:00pm ET

Struggling to read those old historical documents? Gain invaluable insights and practical strategies for deciphering your ancestors’ records, allowing you to uncover hidden stories and connect with your heritage in ways you never thought possible. From understanding the evolution of handwriting styles to employing innovative techniques for enhancing legibility, this talk promises to equip you with the skills and confidence needed to navigate the rich tapestry of your family’s history. Don’t miss this opportunity to sharpen your genealogical prowess and forge deeper connections with your roots!

Non-members may register starting on the 16th of the month (space permitting). Non-Members must create a free CDGS account before they can register. You only need to create an account once, as you can login to that account to register for future presentations.

For details see www.capitaldistrictgenealogicalsociety.org/

FamilySearch Overview – Everything You Don’t Know But Should

Sat Jul 27th

Presented by San Mateo County Genealogical Society
1:30pm ET

FamilySearch has done a lot of improvements and changes over the past few years. Did you know you can get free consultations from them now? Do you know where to look for the latest catalog information? Have checked out the maps of what cemeteries your relatives are in? Come listen to an overview of what FamilySearch has changed lately and how you can use it to make sure you get the most out of FamilySearch. You can learn about the community groups and guided research all now available on FamilySearch. Join Pamela Brigham for this presentation on FamilySearch.

Please register in advance

For details see www.smcgs.org/

Join the International Genealogical Community with Year-Round RootsTech, with James Tanner

Sun Jul 28th

Presented by BYU Library / Family History Sunday Classes
5:30pm ET

The BYU Family History Library presents virtual Sunday classes for anyone interested in family history! Classes are free and everyone is welcome.

No registration required. Click the link “Join Live Class” at the URL below, where you’ll also find the upcoming class calendar, as well as their library of previously recorded virtual classes. All free!

The Zoom link for Sunday Classes at the scheduled time is
https://byu.zoom.us/j/97185943513?pwd=IgbedZiLURYMxnPxlkWolxQNK6iEGd.1

For details see https://familyhistory.lib.byu.edu/learning/webinars

—

“Discovering Our Ancestors, Our History and Ourselves-TOGETHER”

Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc.
Metro- Atlanta Chapter

www.aahgsatl.org

July 21, 2024
Decoration Day, May 1, 1865: Nation’s first Memorial Day

Memorial Day as we know it, began as a solemn ceremony, known as Decoration Day that honored the U.S. Civil War dead. Thousands of freed slaves in the low country of South Carolina are credited for the beautiful honors bestowed upon the casualties.

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Happy Decoration Day!

The Good Genes Genealogy team remembers when our Maternal Great Grandmother Edna Robinson would rise early in Omaha, Nebraska with family members so that they would be the first at the cemetery to clean and decorate the humble grave markers. On both sides of my family, we visited the relatives who were buried primarily in Omaha’s Forest Lawn Cemetery. It was a solemn time, yet a memorable time for me as a child.

Many family members who transitioned before Aunt Beverly had humble grave markers that were reminiscent of the enslaved grave markers of rocks or humble engravings on stone.

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Little did I know that the humble celebration of the lives of our deceased relatives was born in the kind and respectful practices of Black formerly enslaved women and children. I was unaware because the stories that were passed along through the last century, focused on the well-earned service of U.S. military men and women. However, the origins of Memorial Day are historic, especially for African Americans whose ancestors lived in South Carolina.

“Make sure you are telling the right story,” said Bishop Jack L. Bomar, presiding minister of Atlanta’s Hillside International Truth Center. On the eve of Memorial Day, Bomar reminded the in person and online, worldwide congregation, “Before it was called Memorial Day, it was originally known as Decoration Day.”

Former slaves in Charleston, South Carolina form up for the dedication of the cemetery that they built for the graves of Union prisoners of war on May 1, 1865.

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The Civil War was closing in April 1865 after the Union troops entered the city of Charleston, S.C. Historical accounts reveal that most of the white residents fled the city years earlier. The Black residents of Charleston remained to celebrate and welcome the troops, including the Twenty-First Colored Infantry. It was May 1, 1865 and the first-named Decoration Day later became known as Memorial Day. Even current-day accounts neglect to give credit where credit is due. However, noted historians are reviving the original founding of Memorial Day with great detail.

Historian David Blight retold the story:

During the final year of the war, the Confederates had converted the planters’ horse track, the Washington Race Course and Jockey Club, into an outdoor prison. Union soldiers were kept in horrible conditions in the interior of the track; at least 257 died of exposure and disease and were hastily buried in a mass grave behind the grandstand. Some 28 black workmen went to the site, re-buried the Union dead properly, and built a high fence around the cemetery. The

y whitewashed the fence and built an archway over an entrance on which they inscribed the words, “Martyrs of the Race Course.”

Then, black Charlestonians in cooperation with white missionaries and teachers, staged an unforgettable parade of 10,000 people on the slaveholders’ race course. The symbolic power of the low-country planter aristocracy’s horse track (where they had displayed their wealth, leisure, and influence) was not lost on the freed people. A New York Tribune correspondent witnessed the event, describing “a procession of friends and mourners as South Carolina and the United States never saw before.”

At 9 a.m. on May 1, the procession stepped off led by 3,000 black schoolchildren carrying armloads of roses and singing “John Brown’s Body.” The children were followed by several hundred black women with baskets of flowers, wreaths and crosses.

Then came black men marching in cadence, followed by contingents of Union infantry and other black and white citizens. As many as possible gathered in the cemetery enclosure; a childrens’ choir sang “We’ll Rally around the Flag,” the “Star-Spangled Banner,” and several spirituals be

fore several black ministers read from scripture. (“The First Decoration Day,” Newark Star Ledger).

This grave marker is of an unknown slave. It was placed on this tree after likely being tossed in a Florida storm.

54th Massachusetts Infantry

The Colored 21st Infantry and the Colored 54th Infantry are both credited for its direct and indirect involvement in the celebration of the first Decoration Day. From the archives of the University of Southern California:

Assigned to command the assault on a South Carolina Confederate fort during the battle at Battery Wagner in July 1863, the 54th Massachusetts Infantry of the Civil War was composed primarily of freed black slaves from northern Union states.

Though the siege was unsuccessful, the heroism of a number of members of the infantry drew the attention of the nation. In particular, Sgt. William Carney risked his life to lead the troops forward, erecting the Union flag. He suffered two bullet wounds but survived, going on to become the first African American to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for his unprecedented courage.

May 26, 2024

Check out this wonderful Black genealogy program

Black Homesteaders of the South with Bernice A. Bennett

On Saturday, February 4, 2023, 12 – 1:30 PM, the African American History and Culture Museum will host its African American History and Culture Event.

It will be held on the Concourse, Oprah Winfrey Theater + streaming

It’s free. It’s also recommended that you get tickets or register at www.et ix.com.

Join genealogist Bernice A. Bennett who will uncover the stories of African American families who became landowners through the Homestead Act of 1862 from her latest book Black Homesteaders of the South. Bennett’s work is a modern story of black genealogists who networked through a Facebook page to trace the footsteps of their ancestors in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana & Mississippi. Find out how these families navigated the application process through the federal government, and what this legacy means for their descendants today.
Bernice Alexander Bennett is an award-winning author, genealogist and host of Research at the National Archives & Beyond BlogTalkRadio program. Her genealogical interests focus on Southeast Louisiana and Edgefield and Greenwood Counties, South Carolina. Bennett is an author and contributor to 2 award winning genealogy books including Our Ancestors, Our Stories and Tracing Their Steps: A Memoir. A New Orleans native, Bennett is a volunteer with the Homestead National Historical Park Service identifying descendants of Black homesteaders to share their stories.

January 6, 2023

Free Friday — One day early

http://enews.familytreemagazine.com/q/1ngGptDMbyGvEqxCO6-SKJhUzF4S2nn2w8XUcfCX-xS25SKQvgFN2lFQq

November 18, 2021
Count your genealogy research days in 2022

https://shop.eji.org/collections/featured-collection/products/a-history-of-racial-injustice-calendar-2022?fbclid=IwAR1ImL69_nyjzMKi1yynjfK4GbDZsw5TYMHNKYFLhVI8VbtkZBWkAkFhbkw

November 15, 2021

Category: Black Genealogy

Diaspora Connection

Twins as Genealogical Clues

More Than a Coincidence

Next steps

Slave Ancestor Breakthrough!

Repeat Research Steps

Lesson learned

More about the Amazing Ancestor Anderson

Frame the research question

Summary of my review and verification

54th Massachusetts Infantry

The Colored 21st Infantry and the Colored 54th Infantry are both credited for its direct and indirect involvement in the celebration of the first Decoration Day. From the archives of the University of Southern California: