My Ancestor's Name

"I Don't Know Where They Carried Him To"

2012-02-10T15:58:00.000-08:00

The Christian Recorder, 1896

All excerpts in this post, are from the same issue of the January 2,1896 edition of The Christian Recorder a publication of the AME Church. (I was able to access the old copies of this publication through Accessible Archives). Many former slaves used this publication in search of loved ones who were lost to sales and whims of slave holders many decades earlier. The genealogical value of these letters speak for themselves. The continued pains of slavery are felt in the longing of these former slaves for their parents, husbands, children and siblings. I am sharing a few of them here.

In this first letter, Eliza Holmes of Fayette County Texas is hoping that someone will connect her to her son, but she explains, "I don't know where they carried him to."

Wanted Ad from The Christian Recorder,

January 2, 1896, Volume XLIII p. 7

In the 1890s letters such as these appeared in African American newspapers throughout the country. These letters represent the true horrors of what happened to people, and true heartbreak of separation. Many such letters were written decades after freedom, and yet loved ones were still be sought--so strongly missed, and clearly leaving holes in the hearts of former slaves.

Some were themselves sold away, and circumstance never allowed them to find their way home. Emma Washington of Meridian Mississippi, was still looking for her mother who was enslaved in Warrenton Springs Virginia. The family data is so rich, although with the passing of time, chances of their being reunited were slim.

Wanted Ad from The Christian Recorder,

January 2, 1896, Volume XLIII p. 7

So many of these announcements provide rich genealogical data in addition to reflecting the heartbreak of separation. In Pleasant Beal's letter, one can see how often slaves were exchanged, and moved about so frequently. Mr. Beal knew his parents--the Slaters and after three decades still sought their whereabouts and their fate.

In other situations there were men who left. Some left to fight, others left simply to serve in any way they could. They were often counted simply as contrabands, or refugee slaves, but they were still brave men, whoyseized the chance for freedom, and followed the Union soldiers:

Because these poignant letters were written three decades after the war chance of families being reunited were slim. However, the amazing genealogical data and the illustration of a strong sense of family is immediately noticed by the reader.

As overjoyed as so many were to finally be free---the heartache continued for thousands of former slaves throughout the nation. Time was perhaps the only healing balm that soothed so many of their souls. They deserved so much and got so little. I pray that they will never be forgotten

May all of those who suffered be finally at peace.

My Ancestor and Her Great Escape to Freedom!

2012-02-06T19:19:00.000-08:00

This is an image from Video of Slavery in Pittsburgh (Scroll down to view the video)

Earlier today I got an email from a professor Tom Wing at the University of Arkansas, Ft. Smith. He mentioned that I might be interested in a site that he had found discussing a video that would probably interest me. The video was about an exhibition held at the University of Pittsburgh. I watched the video---and then halfway through the video----there it was---a reference to a woman-----one of my ancestors!!!!

THE VIDEO

The story is a simple one.

While on a trip to Virginia with his wife and her slave girl, John Drennen of Van Buren Arkansas spent a night at the Monangahela House in Pittsburgh.

The Monangahela House, Pittsburgh

Image: Courtesy of Samuel Black Curator,

African American Collections, Senator John Heinz History Center

The staff of the hotel had waiters and maids who worked there as part of the population of free people. Many such people from the community were active with the Underground Railroad. The story is simple---the girl was exposed to a community of free blacks for the first time, and quite easily, seeing people of color coming and going freely it is not hard to imagine that she was easily enticed to sample freedom herself. It was said that she was sent to sleep in the servant's quarters.

A panel describing the Drennen Slave Girl and her opportunity to escape

Source: University of Pittsburgh, Exhibition on Slavery

After assisting the mistress in dressing for dinner, the young girl had requested that a trunk of clothes that had been damaged to be sent out for repair. After attending to Mrs. Drennen, the girl attended to the trunk needing repair. She followed the servants carrying the trunk out to the street, and she disappeared.

Depiction of the Drennen Slave Girl and her opportunity to escape

Source: University of Pittsburgh, Exhibition on Slavery

Seeing this image struck me. Although this is a mere representation --- this was a dramatization that gave this young girl a face. She was originally part of the Drennen family of slaves--and she is believed to have been the younger sister to my gr. gr. grandfather Patrick Drennen.

And seeing this representation of her--the young teenaged girl that she was I cannot help but be moved---she was so tender in age, yet so vulnerable, and so unexposed to the world. She had to now trust those who would assist her on this new journey, and she would remain vulnerable to so many unknowns. But--the word eventually got back---she made it to freedom! It is not known how long the Drennen's sought her return, but with slaves being considered slaves for life, into perpetuity, she was most likely still considered simply to be "missing" property.

In Arkansas, she was more than likely the young girl reflected in the Drennen household in the 1850 Slave Schedule.

Image: Slave Schedule 1850, Crawford County Arkansas, Van Buren Township The red arrow is believed

to be the young girl who escaped from the Drennen Household While Traveling With Drennens in Pennsylvania

It should be noted that The Drennen home is the only home in the entire state of Arkansas continually occupied by the same family from the time it was built until it was recently sold to the University of Arkansas.

The home itself is a simply one-story structure that sits on 26 acres. No one other than members of the Drennen family or Drennen family descendants have ever lived in the home. Patrick and his sister and his family lived mostly likely close by in servants' quarters, or possibly in one of the many additional structures on the ground.

Home of John Drennen, Van Buren, Arkansas.

Source: Southwest Times Record May 8, 2011, Features Section

I have visited the home several times. The first time, a friend and fellow researcher Tonia Holleman a well respected historian and resident of Van Buren, took me there for the first time. It was, in fact it was she, who educated me on who the Drennen family was. I only knew the name of John Drennen from the depositions of my gr. gr. grandmother Lydia, whose husband was Patrick who lived on the estate. And it was Ms. Holleman introduced the Drennen family history to me, and I shall always be grateful to her for the information that she shared.

I have met some of the Drennen descendants on more than one occasion, and last year at the dedication of the newly restore Drennen home, I met several more. In honor of my gr. gr. grandfather Patrick, and his family, I was there for the dedication.

I like to think that also on that day,--a young woman smiled down from the heavens--this same young girl who made her escape to Freedom, I like to thing that she too was also present that day, as she and her family were represented as having been there, too.

Did this anonymous young girl return to America?

Image from Exhibition on the Great Escape of my ancestor

I don't know. But it would be about 15 years before she could have ever safely returned to a life of freedom in the United States. My only hope is that she thrived, and she lived to pass her story down.

Quite possibly she adapted to life, probably in Ontario, possibly in the black Canadian settlement of Buxton. But wherever she landed, she breathed fee air, and with time, all of her family did.

I knew only a small part of her story, and I never realized however, that her story would be considered one of America's great escapes!! But it was, a great escape, and I know that she found a new life and found her way.

A Full Day of Genealogy: A Talk Show About Genealogy & Fun Watching Roots Tech Online

2012-02-02T18:47:00.000-08:00

A Collage of Images Taken While Watching RootsTech Live Video Stream

Images from RootsTech.org & Twitter Stream

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I have had a full genealogical day. I began at 8:00 as a guest on the Bernie Miller show on WNGU-AM a local radio program out of St. Louis, with a discussion of the upcoming genealogy conference sponsored by the St. Louis African American History & Genealogy Society. There were 4 guests, including the chapter president, the conference planner and another conference guest. The hour went by so quickly and it was a great experience. I was even able to share a tidbit about one of the guest's ancestors.

Shortly after that broadcast, I was excited to get online to start to watch some live video feeds coming from the RootsTech Conference, now underway in Salt Lake City.

Roots Tech Conference Site Logo

The conference is taking place February 2-4 in Salt Lake City, Utah

Like hundreds of people around the world, I have been at home, and spending time today watch live video stream coming from the 2nd Roots Tech conference in Salt Lake City! There are over 4000 people in attendannce and apparently this is probably one of the largest recorded genealogy events on record. And in addition--there are over a dozen sessions that will be shown online so that others will be able to watch them from around the world. I was thrilled to be a part of the audience. The image at the top of this post reflects live screen shot images taken while the sessions occurred.

In addition to watching--it was just as much fun to be a part of the social media--where genealogists were very active on Twitter sending out messages about the various session that they were watching. And what fun to watch when the cameras would switch and show audience members and to pick out faces of people whom I have met at other genealogy events.

Like many in the genealogy community, I have been soaking up wisdom from technical specialists offering a variety of suggestions of everything from how to use clouds more effectively, to better ways of storing and capturing data.

There are several sessions that offer a live video streaming feature allowing viewers around the world to watch.

I have been extremely impressed with the quality of the video--nio fuzzy screens and no static. Just sharp, clean images and a stable platform has prevented any of the presentations to lose connection. This is what one would expect from a conference presenting state of the art technology to those in attendance. Well the quality is everything that I would hope to see. I kept saying to myself how sharp the images were!! The Powerpoint images were sharp and crisp and the faces came through as if watching High Definition television!

I enjoyed the keynote and also the session on using Clouds for backing up data! And the afternoon called for a bit of fun in the Genealogy Idol competition!! Four presenters gave brief presentations on Technical Tips, Serendipitous moments and their favorite genealogical websites. The format was done in a live webinar, and viewers were then allowed to vote for their favorite presenters.

I spent the afternoon, catching up on other projects but spent a bit watching one of the RootsTech sessions that that I missed. Bravo to the RootsTech planners--they have made completely used technology to showcase technology and the video quality has truly made this virtual experience to be wonderful!!

The Search For and Discovery of Madam Martha Danner Hockenhull

2012-01-23T06:58:00.000-08:00

Madame Martha Hockenhull

Six months ago I had never heard of Madame Hockenhull. I came upon her name while attending the AAHGS conference in Little Rock Arkansas in October 2011. While walking around looking at the displays, I visited the table reflecting the Black memorabilia owned by Archie Moore a well known collector in Arkansas.

On his display of many artifacts, he had three booklets, which were devoted to health, hair care and hygiene. I glanced at the pages, and became curious. The pamphlets were written in 1917, by a rather dignified looking woman who was identified as Mme. M.E. Hockenhull, of Pine Bluff Arkansas. I asked Mr. Moore, the collector about her, and he said that he knew very little. In addition, he mentioned that he had spoken with people in the city of Pine Bluff, and they too knew nothing about her.

But I was curious---she had produced a series of publications in 1917.

Pamphlets written and published by Martha Hockenhull

(Photo courtesy of Archie Moore, Little Rock Arkansas.)

I looked through the brochures and kept thinking, "this was a successful enterprising business woman and today, no one knows her name, and no one knows who she was."

I examined her books closely and was fascinated by them.

So Madame (Mme.) Hockenhull had her own system.

Was she or had she been trained by Madame C.J.Walker? She apparently had her own product line I learned while reading the booklets, and in addition to the booklets, there were many services that she provided for women in the community. So I wanted to know--where did she go? What else could I learn?

Her history intrigued me. In the weeks after the conference, I began to look for her in the census. I knew that she must have owned her own beauty business, and possibly beauty school, as she used the title "madam" which was common for many women who were in the standard beauty culture of the day.

But I was also intrigued for other reasons. These booklets were published in 1917 when women could not even vote, and she lived in the deep south where there were so many restrictions placed upon people of color. And yet she--was a business woman. So--who was she? I really wanted to know more.

Since the booklets were published in 1917, I hoped I might find her in the census still living in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. So, I checked the 1910 Federal Census for Jefferson County.

Federal Census 1910

Jefferson County Arkansas, Pine Bluff Township

At that time she was married to Mr. Robert Hockenhull. Apparently Mrs. Mattie Hockenhull had been married before and therefore there was a child by the first marriage was living with them, listed as a stepson.

So could I find them in 1920? This was more difficult, especially searching online. I kept thinking that a microfilm soundex search would have revealed the family more easily. But I continued to put in the data online. In 1920, no Robert, no Mattie, and no Isaac Gray. Had they left the community and moved away? And if so, where?

And what else could I learn about this lady, who was a business woman, author and proprietor? And was Mattie Hockenhull the same person as Martha Hockenhull, and were they the same person as Mme M.E. Hockenhull?

Well, other than finding Robert and Mattie and son Isaac, in 1910, and image in the pamphlet nothing more was known.

On a whim, on Saturday January 21st, Martha Hockenhull was still on my mind, so I decided to search again for her. This time I used Google and put in the name Hockenhull. Lots of links to people of British origin, but nothing caught my attention.

Images from a Google Search for Hockenhull

I tried again, but this time I put in the name of Martha Hockenhull in the Google Search and again I decided to look for images.

Well quite a few Hockenhull photos appeared, but this time, I saw a photo of a woman in the upper left hand corner---the very first image. It was a portrait of a dignified woman, and the photo looked familiar.

As I hovered the mouse over the image I saw her name--Martha Hockenhull!

Martha Hockenhull Appeared on the Google Search

And the image kind of resembled the lady in the pamphlets. But more surprisingly, the image came from AfriGeneas.com. It was an image uploaded to the Precious Photos section of AfriGeneas. But there was more! The person who shared this image was my cousin and fellow genealogist Melvin Collier!

What??? Melvin??? Cousin Mel???

(Melvin Collier's page on Google+)

Well, I decided to contact Melvin and found him on Facebook at the time. I sent him a quick message asking if he knew anything about Martha Hockenhull. He said yes, she was his gr. grandmother's sister.

What?????

I sat there looking at the screen trying to digest this. Of course I was not sure if this was the same lady that had been a business woman in Arkansas. And first I need to also learn if Martha, was also Mattie, and if so--what could he tell me?

He quickly explained that he did indeed have a gr. gr. aunt called Martha (also called Mattie) Hockenhull!

He wanted to know why I asked and I mentioned that I wondered if she could be the person I was curious about.

I then asked him, "do you know what her husband's name was?" He said, said that he did know his name. It was Robert.

He went on to mention that "Aunt Mattie" was married before and that her husband Robert later adopted her son Isaac Gray, and that Isaac later went by the name of Isaac Hockenhull. And the one thing that was known about "Aunt Mattie" was that she had lived for a while in Arkansas, and that she had a business of some kind when she lived in Arkansas. Wow!!! He thought that perhaps she was a seamstress or owned a shop of some kind. Aunt Mattie died around 1937 in Chicago.

So---this WAS the same lady! Martha, known as Mattie (or Aunt Mattie) had a son Isaac. And Martha, known as Mattie was the same person that I had identified in the 1910 census.

Well, by that time, we had to get off the computer and speak in real time, so he phoned me, and I told him about my interest in Martha Hockenhull, the business woman in Pine Bluff Arkansas. He mentioned that she left Arkansas in the late 1920s and moved with her son Isaac to Chicago where she spent the rest of her life. That also explained to me why there was no one living today in Pine Bluff who had any memory of her. Too many years had passed.

And of course I was still shocked (and delighted) and amazed, to find out that Cousin Melvin was related to this woman who had been haunting me for several months!

He pointed out that Martha (Aunt Mattie) was born to the Danner family of Panola County Mississippi. He even mentioned Mattie Danner Hockenhull in his book Mississippi to Africa. He went on to tell me that Isaac, Martha's son, had married Mahalia Jackson in the early years of her career. That's right THE Mahalia Jackson!

Well, I also had to re-contact Mr. Moore, in Little Rock who graciously started sharing images from her books. And to my surprise---when I closely examined the image that Melvin had uploaded to AfriGeneas, I realized that it was the same image of Mattie Hockenhull that was used in her books! They were truly the same woman!!!!

And Melvin reminded me about something else. About 10 years ago, I had done a simple favor for him, by obtaining the Civil War Pension file for a Civil war soldier on one of his family lines. Well the widow who was making a claim---was Martha Hockenhull's mother, Lou Danner. So Martha Hockenhull was the daughter of a Civil War soldier as well--she was the daughter of a freedom fighter!

So ten years earlier, I had actually indirectly handled documents that were directly connected to the Danner family--Mattie Danner Hockenhull's own family!!! Who knew?

Thankfully Mr. Moore shared with me even more pages from the books that Mattie Hockenhull had authored, and some were quite revealing. She provided a number services from her own special system for hair care that she presented to the community in Pine Bluff Arkansas.

Price List for Goods and Services provided by Martha Hockenhull

But my day was not to end there---Mr. Moore gave me the phone number of a retired teacher who lives in North Little Rock, Arkansas. And this lady is a member of the Arkansas based Hockenhull family.

Well, talking to this gracious lady was a joy. She had the same degree of curiosity and like many, she was not certain who Madame Hockenhull was. But, this lady knew much of the rest of the Hockenhull history and of Hockenhull's around the country. She too had read that Mahalia Jackson had married an Isaac Hockenhull, but she was not able to place Isaac in the family line. Since I had spoken with Melvin earlier, and had told me that Robert had adopted Isaac, and that he was the same person as was Isaac Gray in the census records--she then realized that this was also her cousin who had married Mahalia Jackson.

What a day! I was thrilled to suddenly know so much more about this lady, and thanks to the good will of Archie Moore, and Melvin Collier, and Mrs. Bynum, I was able to piece much more of the story together.

Of course---more of her personality deserves to be told. Her entrepreneurial spirit speaks for itself. She was also one of the enterprising women who came out of the Beauty Culturalist era--and was similar in presentation of herself and her style to that of Madame C. J. Walker. Had Madam Martha Hockenhull perhaps studied under her?

Where did she get her training? And when did she start her own business? How long did it last? And what can be learned about her personality, her personal strength and her other attributes?

Melvin mentioned that her son Isaac, attended Tuskegee, and had earned a degree in Chemistry. Mrs. Bynum in Arkansas confirmed that many of the Hockenhulls of Arkansas had, by tradition attended Tuskegee. Later upon returning to Chicago after his Tuskegee years, Isaac would meet and eventually marry the gifted Mahalia Jackson. I began to read a bit about Mahalia Jackson's life and was amused to find a children's book about her life, and the book spoke about her marriage to Isaac. Apparently in the early days of their marriage, the two of them used his mother's formulas to make hair cosmetics

Source: Mahalia Jackson, Gospel Singer & Civil Rights Champion

by Montrew Dunham, Carmel Indiana 2003, Patria Press

I shared this story of Martha Hockenhull and my search for her. My genealogy friend, mentioned that singer Mahalia Jackson had also been trained in beauty culture. Of course my mind asked more questions---

was that possibly how Isaac and Mahalia met? Did she and her mother in law Martha not only have the interest in hair care, but could Martha have had an influence upon her daughter-in-law as well?

Of course there is no answer to these questions, but I am happy to feel that somehow more of the mystery of this business woman will be told.

Yesterday, while relishing this confirmation about her history, I accidentally found Mattie and son Isaac in the1920 census in Jefferson County Arkansas.

Source: Year: 1920; Census Place: Pine Bluff Ward 1, Jefferson, Arkansas; Roll: T625_67; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 134; Image: 801.

And her status as a business woman was clearly indicated in that year's census

Source: Year: 1920; Census Place: Pine Bluff Ward 1, Jefferson, Arkansas; Roll: T625_67; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 134; Image: 801.

The facts about this enterprising lady are noteworthy.

Her books were published in a time when options for people of color were limited. And she was a businesswoman in a time when women had not even obtained voting rights.

Her business took place in a place where entrepreneurial endeavors among people of color were often prevented from being successful.

Her son was sent to Fisk and later to Tuskegee, and Madam Hockenhull was able to insist upon and insure a good education for her son.

Her strength and fortitude carried her well into a new life.

Well, all those attached to her, from the Danners of Mississippi to the Hockenhulls of Arkansas, should all be proud of this remarkable woman.

* * * * *

Needless to say, my head was spinning all weekend, and I have truly doing the Genealogy Happy Dance!

Remembering A Man Named King

2012-01-16T09:32:00.000-08:00

He was a man who made things change

A normal man, not odd, not strange

Times were unjust, unkind, and cruel

This man spoke out with courage as fuel

The man's sword was his word, his voice, his pen

Moved millions from children, to women, to men

The man was a preacher, a husband, a dad

Yet millions responded to ideas he had.

His message of peace and love for all

Made many take courage even if they did fall.

This simple man of courage and deed

Made changes come and a nation heed

This man gave so much, his mission, his life

Through bombings and threats to his family, his wife.

He continued his journey, his battle for peace

His love of all did not falter nor cease.

And now on his day we honor, we care

His legacy grows, to make us aware

Peace, and justice and dignity rings

For all as we honor a man named King

© Angela Y. Walton-Raji

Early African American Newspapers, Tell So Much

2012-01-12T15:49:00.000-08:00

A collection of America's Earliest Afr. Newspapers

These papers are searchable on Accessible Archives

Last week, I mentioned a website that had caught my attention and I mentioned it on my weekly podcast. The site was Accessible Archives, on that site they have an impressive collection of early African American Newspapers. Since that broadcast, I heard from the owners of the website who offered me a complimentary introductory subscription to explore the site.Well, having a strong interest in African American history, I accepted their offer and I am quite pleased that I did as I have had a new door opened for me in terms of research and learning.

Early newspapers tell so many stories and I was excited to find a neat story right away, about a young boy who was an unsung Civil War hero. This young lad helped to make the Union Army move on Roanoke Island successful. The story appeared in the August 1862 issue of Douglass Monthly a publication by abolitionist Frederick Douglass. And what a wonderful story it was about a young man, an escapee from bondage--a freedom seeker. He was embraced by General Ambrose Burnside and this courageous young man became a hero who led Burnside and his army to victory at Roanoke Island. I researched it further, and I told the story of young Thomas Robinson on my Civil War Blog.

So today, in quest of more gems from these newspaper---I began to truly explore the site itself. I noticed that by typing in a keyword, such as "contraband", or "slavery" many articles come up. One can simply choose to read a transcription of the article, and if desired, an original image of the entire issue appears and one can view it as it appeared first in print. There are seven publications in the African American collection.

Image of Douglass Monthly on of Frederick Douglass Publications

Source of This Image: Cornell University Library

Being curious about other publications that I had never had the chance to examine before, I found some of the most moving articles appeared as short entries in what I shall simply call "Wanted" columns.

The writers of these articles are neither seeking jobs, nor offering them. They are seeking their loved ones. In an issue published in 1894, I was stunned to find such moving articles and letters in "The Christian Recorder" a publication of the AME Church. Families were seeking their loved ones thirty years after freedom. The genealogical value of these posts is evident.

A Query From Arkansas

Source: The Christian Recorder, September 6, 1894 p. 7

Image accessed through Accessible Archives

These ads are sobering, indeed.

We all know how families were separated during slavery and also during the years of the Civil War. Many seeking freedom never returned to their place of enslavement, and became contrabands--refugeed slaves taken to new places.

These freed people later began new lives for themselves. Decades later, time had not healed what slavery and war had ripped apart. They still longed for their loved ones so much.

A Query From Fayette County Texas

Source: The Christian Recorder, September 6, 1894 p. 7

Image accessed through Accessible Archives

I shall occasionally post these wanted articles--they tell so many stories and thanks to the ability to see them now online, from such historic publications, I hope to bring more of these to the genealogical community.

Perhaps during this Civil War sesquicentennial season, some families might be re-united.

Looking Ahead: Goals for 2012

2012-01-03T06:44:00.000-08:00

A new calendar year is always a time for anticipating a new year, with all of its promises. Although the calendar year begins in the coldest time of the year while nature is in taking her winter nap, it provides a wonderful time for planning and outlining goals for the new year. And this new year is no exception. Registration will begin shortly for the year's events and deadlines are quickly approaching for proposals to speak.

I do hope to expand some of the things I have begun and to I look with excitement for other avenues to explore.

INSTITUTES & CONFERENCES: My goal here is to explore events old and new. I look eagerly towards the Samford University IGHR where I will have the honor of teaching two classes this year. I am also interested in attending the institute at Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP). Two of the "Big Three" genealogy conferences look promising this year, and I hope to attend them-- the National Genealogy Society conference in May and the Federation of Genealogical Societies Conference in August are on my list.

WRITING & PUBLISHING: There are several projects that I have been working on over the past several years and I hope to see some of them emerge. Voices of Indian Territory, a yearly publication will continue, but under a revised name-- Freedmen Voices of Indian Territory.

New Projects:

Arkansas Freedom Fighters--US Colored Troops of Arkansas.

A Guide to the AfriGeneas Online Community

Early Black Marriage Records of Arkansas

I am also working on two larger writing projects one with a publisher, and the other for a national publication.

RESEARCH:

Community Area Studies continue, including Pre-Civil War Research - Middle Tennessee & Virginia and investigating more deeply RG 105- From the Arkansas Field Offices

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:

I am honored to give the keynote address in February at the St. Louis African American Genealogical Society annual conference, on February 18th at Harris Stowe Conference Center. In addition while there, I shall present also two workshops. I am looking forward to the Samford IGHR were I will be teaching two classes as well. I have an all day presentation in Arkansas, and the fall will provide another opportunity to travel to Salt Lake City, at the International Black Genealogy Summit in October.

GENEALOGY COMMUNITY SERVICE

My work with the AfriGeneas community continues, where I served on the board and serve as a moderator of the African-Native American Forum. This year I will have the honor to serve as one of the directors of the Federation of Genealogical Societies. This will be a new experience for me, and look forward to learning as well as serving.

ONLINE PRESENCE:

-Weekly Podcast: I have been able to complete 143 consecutive weeks of podcasts for the African Roots Podcast. This year I hope to expand and to modify the structure with more guests on the show.

-Webinars: I am in the processing of developing some new webinars for 2012. My first webinar Best Internet Sources for African American Genealogy took place in 2011 and I plan to develop two more for the coming year.

-Videos: I plan to complete the Freedmen Series that began on my Video channel in the fall of 2011. I will create one for Creek Freedmen, Seminole Freedmen, and Choctaw-Chickasaw Freedmen. In addition I am working on a video for AfriGeneas. In addition, a new series is being developed for community research.

-Websites & Blogs:

Managing two websites( The African-Native American Genealogy Website & Arkansas Freedmen) plus three blogs in addition to the podcast takes much time. The blogs change with each update or post, but I do hope to modify the structure and appearance of both websites to reflect new resources and research discoveries.

So as the new year begins, I hope to grow, and learn and to make a contribution.

Most importantly I look forward to learning from the wonderful people whom I have met in the genealogy community.

My Twelve Genea-Days of Christmas

2011-12-24T10:07:00.000-08:00

On the 1st day of Christmas, this I do wish for thee
A Full and Fruitful Family Tree

On the 2nd day of Christmas this I do wish for thee
2 Twitter mentions
A Full and Fruitful Family Tree

On the 3rd day of Christmas this I do wish for thee
3 Google hangouts
2 Twitter mentions
A Full and Fruitful Family Tree

On the 4th day of Christmas this I do wish for thee
4 Facebook queries
3 Google hangouts
2 Twitter mentions
A Full and Fruitful Family Tree

On the 5th Day of Christmas this I do wish for thee
5 New WordPress themes-----
4 Facebook queries
3 Google hangouts
2 Twitter mentions
A Full and Fruitful Family Tree

On the 6th Day of Christmas this I do wish for thee,
6 Afrigeneas Buddies
5 New WordPress themes-----
4 Facebook queries
3 Google hangouts
2 Twitter mentions
A Full and Fruitful Family Tree

On the 7th Day of Christmas this I do wish for thee
7 New Google +Friends
6 Afrigeneas Buddies
5 New WordPress themes-----
4 Facebook queries
3 Google hangouts
2 Twitter mentions
A Full and Fruitful Family Tree

On the 8th Day of Christmas this I do wish for thee
8 Mocavo links
7 New Google+Friends
6 Afrigeneas Buddies
5 New WordPress themes-----
4 Facebook queries
3 Google hangouts
2 Twitter mentions
A Full and Fruitful Family Tree

On the 9th Day of Christmas this I do wish for thee
9 Twitter Followers
8 Mocavo links
7 New Google+Friends
6 Afrigeneas Buddies
5 New WordPress themes-----
4 Facebook queries
3 Google hangouts
2 Twitter mentions
A Full and Fruitful Family Tree

On the 10th Day of Christmas this I do wish for thee
10 New Family Tweets
9 Twitter Followers
8 Mocavo links
7 New Google+ Friends
6 Afrigeneas Buddies
5 New WordPress themes-----
4 Facebook queries
3 Google hangouts
2 Twitter mentions
A Full and Fruitful Family Tree

On the 11th Day of Christmas this I do wish for thee
11 Blogging Topics
10 New Family Tweets
9 Twitter Followers
8 Mocavo links
7 New Google+ Friends
6 Afrigeneas Buddies
5 New WordPress themes----
4 Facebook queries
3 Google hangouts
2 Twitter mentions
A Full and Fruitful Family Tree

On the 12th day of Christmas, this I do wish for thee
12 Website Templates
11 Blogging Topics
10 New Family Tweets
9 Twitter Followers
8 Mocavo links
7 NewGoogle+ Friends
6 Afrigeneas Buddies
5 New WordPress themes-----
4 Facebook queries
3 Google hangouts
2 Twitter mentions
A Full and Fruitful Family Tree

Have a Merry Christmas and May you all enjoy the Joys of Christmas!!

Is The Genealogical Community Closed or Inclusive?

2011-12-19T10:53:00.000-08:00

There has been much dialogue in the past week about the inclusiveness of the genealogical community from many perspectives. Good discussions and much to consider, especially when looking at one's own position in the community.

I have to thank George Geder, James Tanner, Robin Foster and others for joining the discussion and for bringing out the issue that many have felt for some time. There are indeed communities and circles of influence from which many have been locked out. There are the elite groups that have been a small circle and who have occasionally opened their doors to a handful of new initiates, who will take their seat in the same small circle.

But there have also been changes--thanks to a new medium and new entities shaped by the internet. Yet in spite of those new platforms, from Facebook to Twitter, many others especially in minority communities, still operate in a real-time arena. So as a result the question must be asked, are many talented people being bypassed in spite of their talents and gifts, since new rules have been made that do not include them?

If one is not blogging, tweeting, forming circles and "friending" strangers, is there a new shut-out?

There might just be. And add to that, many are coming online hanging up shingles, setting up businesses, and becoming successful and being lauded as the new "authorities". With a strong online presence, the new authorities realize that they will be seen, and those in the real world, real time arena, who occasionally browse online for speakers---they see the new "authorities" and thus launch them into a higher realm, or at least push them closer into the inner circle.

But--there are others who are also part of the genealogy community, who are not following the new rules. They are not singing the praises only of the elite 50 nor are they working hard to join them. But what they are doing is sharing, teaching, giving and mentoring. And those mentors and teachers are the the critical people who give to all. The emerging stars and the unknown alike benefit from what they do. I have come to appreciate so many people with all of their talents.

But I truly admire most those treasured teachers among us, who have only the desire to share, to help and to nurture. Because of them, many of us have found a comfortable place where we can grow, and learn and feel connected.

Yes there is a vibrant genealogy community and some have made it a good place for the rest of us to find "a place called home."

A Blog Carol: Mary Had a Baby

2011-12-14T16:37:00.000-08:00

BLOG CAROLING!

Thanks to Footnote Maven, and her blog, a Blog Carol event was begun today. There are so many beautiful songs during this time of the year and we all have our favorites. I enjoy this time of the year, and I decided to participate. I thought about several to share, and then thought about the holiday itself. This is a day celebrating the birth of a baby. There is a Negro Spritual that tells that story, so I share it here.

Mary Had a Baby is a traditional African American Christmas song.

The original lyrics appear below, but this version was a unique adaptation. It was sung by the Nathaniel Dett Chorale, a Canadian choir that specializes in Afrocentric music. and the soloist is Melissa Davis. The song will move and touch the hearts of all who hear it.

The song is simple--it tells the story of a young couple traveling on the road. They found refuge in a small shelter for animals and Mary laid her child in a small manger. This one song, tells that story--- a simple one, about a woman named Mary, who had a baby.

Melissa Davis Sings with the Nathaniel Dett Chorale

Mary Had a Baby

Original Lyrics:

Mary had a baby (My Lord)

Mary had a baby (Oh My Lord)

Mary had a baby (My Lord)