African-American Ancestors Search Workshop July 23 at Museum of History

"I was born on a plantation near Fayetteville, North Carolina, and I belonged to J.B. Smith. His wife was named Henrietta. He owned about 30 slaves. My father was named Romeo Harden, and my mother was named Alice Smith... Grandfather was named Isaac Fuller."

 

This oral narrative from the formerly enslaved Sarah Louise Augustus demonstrates the complications that can arise when tracing African-American ancestry today. The State Archives of North Carolina demystifies the process with the "Searching for African-American Ancestors" workshop, Saturday, July 23, at the N.C. Museum of History in downtown Raleigh.

 

Three archivists will present tools, resources and strategies most effective in conducting genealogical research for African-Americans. Topics include slave law, research methodologies and types of records that are used in establishing family lines. Check-in begins at 9 a.m. and the workshop ends at 4 p.m.

 

"Identifying family ties can be exhilarating and immensely gratifying," says Debbi Blake, presenter and head of the Collections Services section at the State Archives. "This workshop introduces people to the resources available at the State Archives that are used to make family connections."

 

Registration for the workshop is $25 and includes lunch. The workshop is limited to 50 participants and pre-paid registrations must be received by Monday, July 11. For more information about this workshop, call (919) 807-7969 or view the Museum of History's July program calendar  andregister online.

 

The workshop is presented in conjunction with the "Treasures of Carolina: Stories from the State Archives" exhibit at the Museum of History through July 31. The exhibit showcases unique documents, photographs and other media - public records and private materials rarely on public view - from the State Archives of North Carolina, the state's memory bank.

 

The Museum of History is located at 5 East Edenton Street in Raleigh. The museum's website isncmuseumofhistory.org. The exhibit and workshop are sponsored by the Friends of the Archives.