Research At The National Archives And Beyond!

Finding Your Ancestors in the Freedmen Bureau Records between 1865-1872.  Selma Stewart  will discuss and provide examples of what is available and how to use Virginia Freedmen Bureau Records that are digitized and available on-line at www. FamilySearch.org. Selma Stewart is an avid family researcher and genealogist. She is the current President of the Afro American Historical and Genealogical Society Hampton Roads Chapter and serves on the Board of the Virginia Genealogical Society. In addition, she is the former National 2000-2002 Corresponding Secretary for Afro American Historical and Genealogical Society.  Her work on numerous transcription projects include the Brantley Association Southampton County Virginia Project and Whispers from the Dust - Virginia Freedmen's Project Freedmen Bureau Record Group 105.       Theme music - Sweet Mello Spice by composer / producer Alvin K. Alexander. (Pianist Ayako Higuchi)

Flight to Freedom: "The Fields Family and Freedom’s Fortress”  What would you risk to gain freedom for your family? Martha Ann Fields, her children, and her husband Washington Fields risked all to escape enslavement in Hanover County, VA to reach freedom at Fort Monroe – known as “Freedom’s Fortress” – in Hampton, Va. during the Civil War. “Flight to Freedom” is a dramatic interpretation of their journey, told through dramatic reading, song, and multimedia clips. Presented by Ajena Rogers, historical interpreter and a Fields family descendant and Drusilla Pair, genealogical researcher. Ajena Cason Rogers, a native of Roanoke, VA, has been an impassioned interpreter of the African American experience her entire National Park Service career and is a proud descendant of Washington Fields (1815-1868) and his wife Martha Ann Fields (1813-1891) and their son James A. Fields (1844-1903). She now lives in Hanover County, where the family originated. Drusilla Pair, a native of Newport News, VA, has been tracing he

The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation: Stories of My Family’s Journey to Freedom with John F. Baker Jr. Genealogy expert John F. Baker Jr. was born in 1962, in Springfield, Tennessee and has lived his entire life just a few miles from Wessyngton Plantation, in a town populated by hundreds of descendants of its slaves. His book, The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation: Stories of My Family’s Journey to Freedom, was published by Atria, a division of Simon & Schuster.  When Baker was in the seventh grade, he discovered the story of his ancestors when he saw a photograph of four former slaves in his social studies textbook.  Months later he learned that they were his grandmother’s paternal grandparents, Emanuel and Henny Washington, who were once enslaved on Wessyngton Plantation.  The plantation was founded in 1796 by Joseph Washington, a distant cousin of President Washington.  He has interviewed dozens of individuals ranging from 80 to 107 years old to collect their oral histories.  He studied more th

Located in Sandy Spring, Maryland,  the Theatre Ministry of the Olive Branch Community Church developed “Stories on the Way to Sandy Spring” in honor of the 2011 observance for Maryland Emancipation Day.  This vignette, based on three fictional characters, was written by Sophonia Simms and directed by Adam Simms.    Like those in the Stories, many escaped to freedom – found gainful employment and higher education.  We must never forget their courage, fortitude, and ingenuity.  Despite the dangers on the road to freedom, they were guided by their faith in God and vision for a better life. For more information, contact the Olive Branch Community Church, www.obcchurch.orgor Simms City Productions, SimmsCityProductions.com.

Genealogist Angela Walton-Raji has committed herself to sharing information with the descendants of the Freedmen of Indian Territory--which is now Oklahoma. She is the author of  the book Black Indian Genealogy Research: African American Ancestors Among the Five Civilized Tribes. The book serves as a guide to researching the history and lives of the 20,000 Freedmen of Indian Territory, who have been deleted from American history. She is also the author of the http://african-nativeamerican.blogspot.com. The Dawes Commission, named after Henry C. Dawes who chaired the commission, consisted of a process that would lead to a redistribution of land to those who already owned it among the Five "Civilized" Tribes. Understand that land was held in common by the Five Civilized Tribes. The Dawes Enrollment process was created to determine who would be eligible for allotted parcels of land. Eligibility involved providing "proof" that one had been a part of the tribe for several decades, and especially in those years im

Bernice Bennett welcomes archivist Claire Kluskens -  a specialist in immigration, census, and other records of high genealogical value at the National Archives in Washington, DC for a discussion of the Microfilm Publication M1895, Slave Manifests of Coastwise Vessels filed at New Orleans, Louisiana, 1807-1860 (thirty rolls).  These records are part of Record group 36, Records of the U.S. Customs Services. Claire Kluskens has spearheaded the completion of more than 300 National Archives microfilm publications.  She lectures frequently and has published extensively in national, state, and local genealogical publications.  Claire has been a National Archives staff member since 1992 and has done genealogical research since 1976.   Theme music - Sweet Mello Spice by composer / producer Alvin K. Alexander. 

Join retired attorney, genealogist and tour provider Sarah Cato for a discussion of the 56th United States Colored Infantry recognition program  The St. Louis African American History and Geneaology Society spearheaded the recognition of the 56th United States Colored Troops, and an Ad Hoc Committe is working to have memorial stones placed at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. 175 soldiers of the 56th USCI died of cholera in August 1866. The 56th Regiment was originally organized at St. Louis as the 3d Arkansas Infantry Regiment (African Descent). The 3d Arkansas was ordered from St. Louis to Helena, Arkansas and served on post duty there. The unit was mustered out of the service on September 15, 1866, but before then, the tragedy occurred that contributed to the reason a monument was built in their honor in St. Louis. The 56th was traveling aboard 2 steamers to be mustered out. During the trip several soldiers died of an undiagnosed illness. A surgeon inspected the men and reported no cholera among

Redicovering Your Kinship Village through documentation and DNA testing.   9pm eastern, 8pm central, 7pm mountain, 6pm pacific Motivational speaker and genealogist Michael Williams will share his epic 17-year adoption search and reunion experience plus his DNA breakthroughs to Rediscover his Kinship Village. As a motivational keynote speaker, Michael shares his journey to verify family lore through DNA testing. Michael's inspirational story empowers families to follow clues shared in oral histories, family documents and DNA analysis. As an experienced motivational speaker and genealogist, Michael emphasizes the invaluable use of personal genetics as a medium to bridge the genealogical gaps that may be due to a historic diasporic family experience, and lost records. 

The Reverend Peter W. Clark: Sweet Preacher and Steadfast Reformer with Elaine Parker Adams This book tells the story of the Reverend Peter W. Clark, a black Methodist minister during the post-Reconstruction period and early 20 century of Louisiana. Clark’s early life in Louisiana and his struggle for literacy during the time of the Civil War and its aftermath are discussed in the opening chapter. He pursues religious life. Traits and behaviors of John Wesley and Peter Clark are compared and contrasted.  The Methodist Episcopal Church’s influence on the black community as an anti-slavery institution and its role in educating newly freed blacks are noted. Clark worked in both rural and urban churches, often building the first church and/or parsonage for a congregation. Wherever he was assigned, he played a leading role in the church and the community.  He defended the people of his church and community against discriminatory practices, natural calamities, and criminal victimization.    Elaine Parker Adams i

Join genealogist, Sharon Batiste Gillins for a discussion of Record Group 105 of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands. She will share her experiences in locating records in this rich genealogical resource available at the National Archives. The Freedmen's Bureau was established in the War Department by an act of Congress on March 3, 1865. The life of the Bureau was extended twice by acts of July 16, 1866 and July 6, 1868. The Bureau was responsible for the supervision and management of all matters relating to refugees and freedmen, and of lands abandoned or seized during the Civil War. Sharon Batiste Gillins is a native of Galveston, Texas with paternal ancestral roots in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana and maternal roots in Fort Bend County, Texas. A life-long interest in her family's history led to an active involvement in researching African American family history over the past 25 years. While researching her own family, she developed an in interest in unique and under-utilized record system

Join my special guests April Hynes and Reverend Fred Morton for a discussion of the Wanderer Project. This project is important to anyone interested in American history, and especially the African American experience. The Wanderer is the last documented ship to bring a cargo of slaves from Africa to the United States on November 28, 1858. April Hynes’ grandfather discovered an African Face Jug on a construction site in Philadelphia in 1950. It took some literal and figurative digging but eventually April, a devoted amateur genealogist, traced the jug’s origins back to Edgefield County, South Carolina. The area is home to amazingly high quality clay and  pottery operations where many slaves, including Wanderer survivors, toiled making stoneware. The link discovered between April Hynes’ Face Jug and the Wanderer Africans helped to break down the so-called brick wall that frequently thwarts those trying to unmask the personal side of the slavery story.  April Hynes is a Principal Researcher of the “Wanderer Pr

 The Barbados and Carolinas Connection with Rhoda Green Most Barbadians today are unaware or disinterested about their linkages to the Carolinas. However, Rhoda Green recognizes that the past impacts the present each day.  The present, however, can promote forgetfulness, ignorance and sometimes denial.  This reality motivates her to provide a vehicle for sharing, collaboration and an opportunity to better understand this shared history and the lessons learned from it.  This inspiration and passion influenced her decision to become the Founder and Chair of Development for The Barbados and Carolina Legacy Foundation. http://www.barbadoscarolinas.org Mrs. Green was born in Bardados, West Indies and resides in Charleston, SC with her husband and children. She currently serves as the honorary Consul for Barbados in South Carolina. Her work with the Barbados Carolina Connection led to the Twinning of Speightostown, Barbados and Charleston, South Carolina in 1998.  That was followed with bringing the Barbados Tou

African Americans of Alexandria, Virginia Beacons of Light in the Twentieth Century  Char McCargo Bah, Christa Watters, Audrey P. Davis, Gwendolyn Brown-Henderson and James E. Henson Sr.     This show will explore a new book written about Alexandria’s twentieth-century African American community. Experience the harrowing narratives of trials and triumph as Alexandria’s African Americans helped to shape not only their hometown but also the world around them. Rutherford Adkins became one of the first black fighter pilots as a Tuskegee Airman. Samuel Tucker, a twenty-six-year-old lawyer, organized and fought for Alexandria to share its wealth of knowledge with the African American community by opening its libraries to all colors and creeds. Discover a vibrant past that, through this record, will be remembered Char McCargo Bah is a professional genealogist for the Alexandria Legacies—Freedmen’s Cemetery Descendants Project of the City of Alexandria, an author and a public speaker. Audrey P. Davis is currentl

The Black Russian with Vladimir Alexandrov Bernice Bennett host welcomes Vladimir Alexandrov, Ph.D.,  for an engaging discussion of his book, The Black Russian. He will explore the process of researching and writing this compelling story.   The Black Russian tells the story of Frederick Bruce Thomas, who was born in 1872 to former slaves and spent his youth on his family’s farm in Mississippi.  After leaving the South and working as a waiter and valet in Chicago and Brooklyn, he went to London in 1894, then traveled throughout Europe, and decided to go to Russia in 1899, all of which was highly unusual for a black American at the time.  He chose Moscow as his home, and during the next nineteen years renamed himself “Fyodor Fyodorovich Tomas,” married twice, acquired a mistress, took Russian citizenship, and by dint of his talents, hard work, charm, and guile became one of the city’s richest and most famous owners of variety theaters and restaurants.  The Bolshevik Revolution ruined him and he barely escaped

"Slavery, Freedom and Reunion in a Colonial Connecticut Town" with Grant Hayter-Menzies, Daryl D'Angelo and Donald Roddy In June 1759, Norwich, Connecticut businessman Benajah Bushnell sold Guy Drock, a slave of African ancestry, to Sarah Powers, the  Caucasian woman Drock had possibly married. Ironically, this deed freed Drock from Bushnell’s control but not from slavery. In March 2012, descendants of Guy and Sarah Drock and of Benajah Bushnell came together in Norwich for the first time in over two centuries. Drock descendants Daryl D’Angelo and Donald Roddy—who when they began their research years earlier did not know they had African ancestry, and Bushnell descendant Grant Hayter-Menzies—who thought only his Southern ancestors were slave owners—met to try to understand a legacy they did not know they shared. In the town where their past began, they sought to explore the personal impact of their ancestors’ intertwined histories, how the past has shaped them, their research and their interactions with one

    Join host Bernice Bennett and special guest Char McCargo Bah for a discussion on researching roomers and others  documented in the household.   When you are using the U.S. Census, you will see several large families.  In some cases, you might see extended families and roomers.  Hence, if you research everyone in the house, you might find answers to a lot of your questions.  Knowing "Whose In The House.," could even reveal pre civil war ancestors.    Char McCargo Bah has been a genealogist since 1981; she has appeared in numerous television interviews and documentaries and has researched genealogies of well-known individuals.  She currently works as a part-time genealogist on African American families in the City of Alexandria, Virginia.  Char is a 2010 recipient of Virginia Genealogical Society Volunteer Award and a 2009 recipient of the Alexandria History Award from the Alexandria Historical Society.  Char has her own genealogy column “Char’s Corner” in the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Socie

  GHOSTS AND SHADOWS OF ANDERSONVILLE Bernice Bennett host welcomes Robert Scott Davis for a discussion of how slaves helped to liberate imprisoned Union soldiers from behind the Confederate lines. He will also share his new project on the lost history of the international significance of free blacks in slave Georgia. Robert Scott Davis is senior professor of History at Wallace State College in Hanceville, Alabama. He runs a program of continuing education classes in genealogy. His more than 1,000 publications include GHOSTS AND SHADOWS OF ANDERSONVILLE, a book that explores mysteries of the Confederate prison for black, red, and white inmates. He is currently working on biographical essays on free African Americans in Georgia from colonial times to final emancipation in the 1860s including Fenda Lawrence, George Liele, Austin Dabney, Joseph Nunez, Thomas Sims, and Hubbard Prior.

Black Coral: A Daughter's Apology To Her Asian Island Mother with Clergywoman, Theologian, Communications Designer and author, The Rt. Reverend Dr. Cheryl D. Holmes-Miller aka Bishop Miller, M.S., MDiv.   She tells of her tumultuous, emotional teen agony of trying to accept her multiracial, multiethnic family as they struggle to fit in a "one box, one drop" racial category of being Negroes. Her coming of age story during the Civil Rights Movement leads to her back to the future 21st century revelations of her true heritage. Once taboo, her story is vogue and trending...her memoir is  a genuine catalyst for talking about race and culture, and those discussions start within the context of our families. She is the Senior Minister of The North Stamford Congregational Church in Stamford, Connecticut.

Slave Life in Documents: Primary Sources regarding Edgefield's Enslaved Laborers with Dr. Maggi Morehouse Where are the records located and how can they be utilized to give meaning to African Diaspora life in the Edgefield District?  What methodological issues do researchers face when attempting to craft the historical narrative? How does the researcher go back in time and utilize records that occluded ordinary voices? What sorts of non-exploitative techniques can the present day researcher employ in regards to creating an empathetic and “true” historical narrative? Join Dr. Maggi M. Morehouse for a discussion on uncovering primary sources that reveal the interior lives of enslaved people, specifically highlighting data from Edgefield, SC, laborers. Questions of access and understanding will be explored through examples from her African Diaspora fieldwork. In addition, the archeological excavation under way in Edgefield is revealing material artifacts about the community of potters who labored in the are

Slave Life in Documents: Primary Sources regarding Edgefield's Enslaved Laborers with Dr. Maggi Morehouse Where are the records located and how can they be utilized to give meaning to African Diaspora life in the Edgefield District?  What methodological issues do researchers face when attempting to craft the historical narrative? How does the researcher go back in time and utilize records that occluded ordinary voices? What sorts of non-exploitative techniques can the present day researcher employ in regards to creating an empathetic and “true” historical narrative? Join Dr. Maggi M. Morehouse for a discussion on uncovering primary sources that reveal the interior lives of enslaved people, specifically highlighting data from Edgefield, SC, laborers. Questions of access and understanding will be explored through examples from her African Diaspora fieldwork. In addition, the archeological excavation under way in Edgefield is revealing material artifacts about the community of potters who labored in the are