Radio Personality Tom Joyner Asks For Pardon for His Great-Uncles, Who Were Unjustly Executed in 1915

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Nationally syndicated radio host Tom Joyner is asking South Carolina to posthumously pardon two of his great-uncles — black landowners executed in 1915 after being convicted of murdering an elderly Confederate Army veteran. Joyner learned the fate Continue reading Radio Personality Tom Joyner Asks For Pardon for His Great-Uncles, Who Were Unjustly Executed in 1915

President Barack Obama Announces His Intent to Nominate Adele Logan Alexander to the National Council On Humanities

WASHINGTON – September 25, 2009 – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate several individuals to key administration posts. The nominees included Adele Logan Alexander, to be a member of the National Council on the Humanities. The following Continue reading President Barack Obama Announces His Intent to Nominate Adele Logan Alexander to the National Council On Humanities

The AAGHSC 27th Annual Family History Conference – Professor Spencer R. Crew to Keynote

The following news release was received from Janis Minor Forté: The year 2009 is a historic time in more ways than one. In addition to other historic events, 2009 is also the 30th Anniversary of the Afro-American Genealogical and Historical Continue reading The AAGHSC 27th Annual Family History Conference – Professor Spencer R. Crew to Keynote

Churches Honor Those Buried in Slave Cemetery Behind Paw Creek Presbyterian

The following is an excerpt from an article about two churches that crossed the color line to honor those buried Paw Creek Slave Cemetery in Charlotte, North Carolina. Read the full article in the June 2, 2009 edition of the Continue reading Churches Honor Those Buried in Slave Cemetery Behind Paw Creek Presbyterian

The Central Rappahannock Heritage Center in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Has the Records for Blacks & Whites Alike

There’s an interesting article in the May 26, 2009 edition of Fredericksburg.com about the Central Rappahannock Heritage Center in Fredericksburg, Virginia – and how it serves as a repository for over “46,000 documents, photos and library books, some dating to Continue reading The Central Rappahannock Heritage Center in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Has the Records for Blacks & Whites Alike

Millions of Historic Southern Records Now on the Web

Thanks to Paul Nauta for the following press release: SALT LAKE CITY—FamilySearch announced today it has published millions of records from Southern states to its rapidly growing, free online collection. The collection includes both digital images and indexes. Millions of Continue reading Millions of Historic Southern Records Now on the Web

According to DNA Studies, the Southwest African Continent is the Origin of Modern Human Migration

A DNA study using over 3000 samples taken over a 10-year period throughout Africa identifies an African continental corner as the origin of modern human migration, near the coastal border of Namibia and Angola. The study appears in the journal Continue reading According to DNA Studies, the Southwest African Continent is the Origin of Modern Human Migration

Maryland Insurance Companies that Insured Slaves Pre-1865 Must Disclose Info

Following the lead of similar laws in California, Illinois and Iowa, the State of Maryland is about to make insurance information on pre-1865 Maryland slaves available to the public through data that will be studied and stored at the University Continue reading Maryland Insurance Companies that Insured Slaves Pre-1865 Must Disclose Info

Unmarked Slave Graves in Old Mason Family Cemetery in Georgia

The Rev. Skip Mason was in his office at Morehouse College in Atlanta last year when he received an e-mail containing a shocking discovery and a link to the past. The Georgia Department of Transportation had discovered a cemetery of Continue reading Unmarked Slave Graves in Old Mason Family Cemetery in Georgia

All Kinds of Cool New Stuff Happening at FamilySearch Indexing!

There are many new, upcoming, and completed indexing projects to report in this update from Paul Nauta, with FamilySearch. Twelve of the projects below are new (see Current Projects). Included are three Belgian and two Argentina projects. The New York Continue reading All Kinds of Cool New Stuff Happening at FamilySearch Indexing!

Nephew of Alex Haley Meets Newfound Scottish Cousin for the First Time

The following News Release was written by Ancestry.com Staff: PROVO, Utah, April 7 /PRNewswire/ – Ancestry.com, the world’s largest online resource for family history, announced today that the late Alex Haley, author of Roots – the decisive masterpiece that inspired Continue reading Nephew of Alex Haley Meets Newfound Scottish Cousin for the First Time

Alex & Chris Haley’s Scots’ Roots Back in the News.

I blogged about Alex Haley’s Scots’ roots in very early March. Now I see that USA Today is again reporting on his Scottish roots. And of course, his nephew Chris Haley, has those same roots, so he’s having quite a Continue reading Alex & Chris Haley’s Scots’ Roots Back in the News.

Black Historian, Dr. John Hope Franklin, Dead at 94

RALEIGH, N.C. – Dr. John Hope Franklin, who chronicled the South and gave definition to the African-American experience, died Wednesday of congestive heart failure. He was 94. Franklin was considered one of the most influential historians of the 20th century. Continue reading Black Historian, Dr. John Hope Franklin, Dead at 94

The Black West: Buffalo Soldiers, Black Cowboys & Untold Stories

There’s a fascinating new art display opening on the 22nd at the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Georgia. Over 60 paintings and sculptures will portray the part played by those of color in the American West. Following is an Continue reading The Black West: Buffalo Soldiers, Black Cowboys & Untold Stories