American Woodmen - A Black Benevolent Society

Image of headstone taken at Fr. Dickson's Cemetery, St. Louis Missouri

Most of us who enjoy visiting cemeteries, recognize their headstones. They are beautiful and truly unique, many shaped like logs, or tree trunks and are elaborate in their design and always catch the attention of visitors to many burial grounds. Those belong to the Woodmen of the World. 

But there is another organization worth exploring---It was also a Benevolent society with death benefits--The American Woodmen. This was a Black organization.

The history of this group is most interesting. It actually began as a white organization, not unlike the Woodmen of the World. However by 1910 this became an all African American fraternal society. Laurence Lightner was one of the major leaders of the American Woodmen, and held his position for over 20 years.

Early Leaders of the American Woodmen

Community service and family oriented values were among their areas of focus. And of course there were the benefits paid to the families of deceased members, while also emphasizing philanthropy, and help to others for all members.

Their chapter groups were often referred to as Camps, and the greater body was known as the Supreme Camp of the American Woodmen. During the early 20th century years, the group was well known for paying benefits efficiently and also took note of their success in raising funds. An interesting article in the Kansas City Sun from 1919 addressed the efficiency of the American Woodmen.

The American Woodment also were among the more generous of the benevolent societies as they paid not only death benefits, but they offered a number of programs for members. This may have contributed to their longevity.  An advertisement from The Kansas City Star in a 1917 edition reflected the many offerings to their members. Their benefits included: death benefits, sick benefits, accident benefits, old age annuity and more.

Source: Advertisement for American Woodmen

Source: Kansas City Star, March 3, 1917 Page 2

The latter half of the 20th century saw many changes in the control of the life insurance function of the Woodmen, and many efforts were made to control the assets of the American Woodmen insurance funds that exceeded $10 million dollars. In 1994 the group finally merged with the Woodmen of the World.

Earlier this year, when visiting Ft. Dickson's cemetery in St. Louis, it was quite a surprise to see a headstone reflecting the American Woodmen. This is an historically black cemetery and the log style stone immediately caught my attention. It was only the second such stone reflecting the American Woodmen that I have seen, and I captured a photo of the stone at that time. (see image at top of this article)

It is evident that the American Woodmen had a cadre of focused dedicated people for decades, as this was one of the few societies that did not fold during the years of the great depression. Their legacy is an impressive one, and this is an organization that deserves further study as one explores the history of the Black Benevolent Societies.

FGS 2013 Unfolds--Fireworks and All!

Fireworks as seen from my hotel window

Well the 2013 FGS Conference has gotten underway and it has been exciting with everything from Fireworks to fire alarms. Now admittedly the fireworks appeared to come from a nearby ball park but all on my side of the hotel got a wonderful view, and what a fitting way to end Thursday evening--the first full day of workshops at this year's conference.

Everything from the exhibit hall to the sessions were full of energy! I had the chance to conduct research all day on Wednesday, but by Thursday, there were plenty of events and vendors to visit and sessions to attend to stay busy!!

The usual larger vendors were there, but also so were the smaller venders. A favorite vendor was a woman who turned her father's letters from WWII, into a beautiful book called A Thousand Letters Home. Her work is a perfect example of how one can turn artifacts into something that not only the family can enjoy. But in addition, others who would like to read how WWII directly impacted someone's life will find her work also of interest.

A Thousand Letters Home, booth and book on display.

I also worked the FGS Booth part of yesterday. We were working to encourage participants to participate in the effort to Preserve the 1812 Pensions, and was impressed to see such enthusiasm for the Save the 1812 Pensions Project. Many people came by the booth to purchase tickets.

Polly Kimmit of the FGS Board, holds long row of tickets before handing them 

to an eager visitor anxious to support the Pensions project.

Friday was especially busy for me, because I had two presentations. My first session focused on Forgotten Beneficiaries. Finding Southerners Black and White Served by the Freedman's Bureau. This session was also the James Dent Walker Memorial Lecture. It was an honor to give this presentation and to speak about a topic that he frequently spoke about. I got good feedback, and was pleased that good questions were asked and there was true interest in the subject.

My earlier presentation on the Freedman's Bureau records

In my second session on the Benevolent societies I spoke about the various contributions made by these societies to the community at large, in particular hospitals. I mentioned one hospital built in the 1940s on the Mississippi Delta, called Taborian Hospital, built by the International Order of Twelve Knights & Daughters of Tabor. Afterwards, a gentleman came up to me and mentioned that he actually practiced medicine at that hospital. That was an amazing surprise.

The evening ended with a nice event at a local bed and breakfast where the African American Genealogy Society of Ft. Wayne hosted a few of us for some light refreshments in the evening. The beautiful old house was a comfortable place to get away for a few hours and simply unwind with a nice glass of wine and some light food. In addition, we also got a chance to talk shop--genealogy--informally with some of their members. One of the members was able to bring a brick wall question with her and to get some suggestions on where to go next with her research.

Ft. Wayne resident gets some advice on where to get more information for her projects

The afternoon was not without it lively moments when  suddenly an emergency was announced and orders were given to evacuate the building. Of course as the quickly as the building was being evacuated, no emergency surfaced at all, and all returned to their previous spots.

So the day was a busy one for me, with two sessions, and I have a final session tomorrow, before beginning to  pack for the return journey home on Sunday! This has been a most delightful trip so far, and tomorrow promises to be just as busy.

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Midwestern African American Genealogy Institute Day #1

Professor Dru, aka Drusilla Pair discusses thinking  outside the box.

Things got underway in the first full day session of MAAGI. The tracks all began ontme, and by 8:00 am the Pre and Post slavery era was in full swing. By 8:30 the other tracks began their sessions.  In the professional and Beginning Level track a joint session on planning one's research and establishing a research plan was held. After an introduction of the participants, Shelley Murphy and Angela Walton Raji each gave a presentation to the the participants in the joint session.

Then the Professional Track had their own separate sessions and the day got better with Lisa Smith and Professor Dru (Drusilla Pair) each leaving the participants enthusiastic and filled with information. The day ended with an amazing discussion on the process of documenting the genealogical process and how to give a professional summary to the genealogical journey, whether a research trip, or even a journey to one's ancestral homeland.

And it must be mentioned that for many participants, the opportunity to fellowship with other researchers was just as rewarding as the workshops.

After classes ended on this first day a special treat was to have a wonderful meal at the famous Sweetie Pie's Kitchen.

                                                                                    In line at Sweetie Pies.

                                           Connie Tensley and Bernice Bennett before having dinner. 

The evening ended with many returning either to the residence hall or the hotel  to fellowship and discuss some of the topics presented in the day's sessions. The enthusiasm was shared by many and comments continued to pour in throughout the afternoon and evening about how much had been learned.

MAAGI Begins!!

MAAGI Participants listening to speakers at opening session.

Participants from Virginia to California and from Minnesota to Mississippi, arrived yesterday in St. Louis to attend the Midwestern African American Genealogy Institute. This is the first year of this institute, and the energy was high yesterday as friends old and new gathered at the campus of Harris-Stowe State University for the opening session.

Some of the residents chose to stay in residence halls on the campus while others selected the Pear Tree in midtown St. Louis during the next three days. There are 4 tracks from which participants will be immersed in the next three days having an in-depth immersion into methods and strategies of African American genealogy and research.  Some are beginners and others are seasoned researchers hoping to refine their skills, learn some technological skills and others to explore options that me available as they contemplate becoming professional genealogists!

An attentive audience gave the speakers their attention.

 

Other participants at opening session.

 

 Speakers from around the country are part of the faculty at MAAGI.  Thomas Macentee from Chicago, is a well known blogger and genealogist. Other speakers are Lisa Lee of GotGenealogy, Dr. Shelley Murphy aka familytreegirl, Tim Pinnick, Nicka Sewell Smith formerly of Northern California and now Tennessee, Curt Witcher of the Allen County Library, and noted blog radio host,Bernice Alexander Bennett and Professor Dru - Drusilla Pair of the Find Your Folks blog.

 Bloggers Thomas Macentee and Drusilla Pair chatting before the opening session.

Many of the participants gathered to take group photos, and many took images of the individuals in their various tracks.

 Track  3 (Pres & Post Slavery Era Research)

After the opening session, many of the participants went to dinner and of course as the sessions begin on Tuesday morning, the work begins!

Prepping for MAAGI

Syllabi Prepared for the Inaugural MAAGI - Genealogy Institute in St. Louis

I must admit, that I am so excited!

After more than a year of planning the first Midwestern African American Genealogy Institute will unfold. The idea came out of conversations with a handful of people about 18 months ago, and now, a year and a half later, the institute will no longer be an idea, but an idea whose time has come.

Known unofficially as MAAGI, July 9 - 12th  promise to be exciting with speakers from the Atlantic to the pacific and attendees from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, and from Baltimore to Burbank.

I have been working with many of the speakers and also getting myself prepared for this event and as I am working on those last minute details (tweaking power point presentations) the days get closer and closer. I am excited to be on a program with people of many talents, and MAAGI will provide an opportunity for many of us to meet people whom we have known online in Social Media.  The talent of the speakers is a cadre of leaders in the genealogy community and I am honored to share this event with them.

The institute will be hosted on the campus of Harris-Stowe State University in Mid-town St. Louis, and the event promises to be an exciting one.

I had the honor of working with Institute director, Charles Brown who is also President of the St. Louis African American History and Genealogy Society. He is one who is organized, and knows how to get things done. Thanks to him and a team of dedicated coordinators of the tracks, we have a dynamic group of faculty memnbers. Eveyone  will all arrive in St. Louis on Monday with classes unfolding on Tuesday morning. Several of us will be blogging and posting images on the Facebook, Twitter and beyond.

MAAGI now has a Facebook page, and one can simply join the group and follow us next week as many of us will be live blogging from the Institute.

I am so excited as I pack and get ready to leave and to go and meet new friends in St. Louis!

Juneteeth - Freedom at Last!

Source of Image: Click HERE

Juneteenth is the largest celebration of the end of slavery in the nation. The origins of this day go back to Galveston Texas, when on June 19th, 1865, General Granger sailed into Galveston Harbor and informed the enslaved population that they were no longer to be held in bondage.

And so it began. The declaration made in the city of Galveston Texas, on June 19th, bringing word from Washington that all enslaved people were free brought immediate change in that small southern city. The celebration in Galveston Texas is the oldest celebration of its kind and has now spread throughout the nation as the celebration of freedom!

Within hours the word spread throughout the city and one can only imagine the emotions. Some were surprised, some were in doubt, some were afraid of what lay ahead, and many were simply put, jubilant. No more would their children be sold. No more would their loved ones be whipped and humiliated, and no more would they live in officially sanctioned misery. At long last prayers of decades had been answered, and they had a chance to have a real beginning to their lives and move forward in a new land, where justice and equality was no longer an empty word.

On that day America became a better land.

Checking in at the California Genealogy Jamboree 2013

 

Genealogist Tim Pinnick signs in at the speaker registration table.

Well, the activities began as travelers arrived from all over the country to attend the Genealogy Jamboree. Yesterday early arrivals had a chance to attend the special DNA programs and attend an luncheon that was said to have been informative and lively. I arrived in the late afternoon due to a flight delay, but was excited to meet people at registration, many of whom I have only known through social media.

The folks at SCGS registration were friendly and inviting and even had a bag of treats for the speakers.

One young lady I have been following for several years is Elyse Doerflinger. She was there beaming and smiling and greeting everyone. Those of us who have followed her know that she had recently graduated from college, having earned her bachelor's degree. And yes, we also know that she  is recently engaged and yes, I got to see the ring, too.  She was lots of fun and joy to meet!

Elyse Doerflinger at the registration area.

It's always fun to see people from Facebook and other social media. It was also exciting to see familiar faces as well. Judy Ruzsell, The Legal Genealogist was there chatting with Cyndi Howells and others. I also ended up having dinner with Judy, whom I had met last year at Samford. What a treat to see her here. 

 

Judy Russell (right) chatting with Cyndi Howells (2nd from right) and others at registration.

The events for the Jamboree look exciting and I can't wait to get to the Exhibit Hall, to give my presentation and to meet everyone.  

So it all begins!!!