Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Add Reply
African-Americans unearth family histories via new technology; Something that you might want to look in to
Topic Started: Mar 7 2012, 12:16 PM (406 Views)
UTB

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120228/LIFESTYLE/202280305/1409/metro/African-Americans-unearth-family-histories-via-new-technology

Quote:
 
Like so many others, Patricia Watts longed to find out more about her family history.

For several years, she searched databases and made numerous trips to local libraries to research her family tree. It was during an exhaustive search of her mother's side of the family that she received an unexpected gift.

A New York-based historical society contacted Detroit genealogist Dale Rich, looking for the Detroit family of decorated former slave John W. Jones. Searching government records, Rich discovered Watts is a descendent of Jones, who was responsible for helping to lead more than 850 slaves to safety through Elmira, N.Y. He was her great-great-grandfather on her father's side.

"I'm so excited," says Watts of Detroit. "I know (my dad) would have been happy if he had known about this."

Watts' story mirrors that of many African-Americans and others who are successfully tracing their family history thanks to technological advances that allow people to plow through records and find ancestors going back three to four generations.

Not since the popular 1970s television series "Roots," based on the best-seller by writer Alex Haley, has there been so much interest in connecting with one's family history.

Born a slave in Leesburgh, Va., in 1817, Watts' great-great-grandfather Jones was a legendary stationmaster on the Underground Railroad who helped escaped slaves make their way to Canada.

In 1864, the city of Elmira opened a Confederate prison camp, housing 12,000 prisoners of war. Three thousand of those prisoners died, and Jones buried soldiers for $2.50 each. According to a biography on Jones, he went beyond his duty and kept personal records of the burials to provide to the Confederate soldiers' families, a practice that was unpopular with townspeople because they viewed the soldiers as "the enemy."

He became the sexton for the Baptist Cemetery in Elmira and the superintendent of the town's cemetery. Jones died in December 1900. In 1997, Jones' former residence was rescued from disrepair and is now a museum in Elmira.


While some of you are bragging on the exploits of ancient Egypt. you can't even trace your forefathers back to four generations! And that's YOUR fault!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
UTB

Like I've said in the past, Negroes are always clamoring to "know their history",but it's very apparent that they're not interesting in knowing their OWN family's history!
Edited by UTB, Mar 10 2012, 04:00 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
cisslybee2012
The REBEL
UTB
Mar 10 2012, 04:00 PM
Like I've said in the past, Negroes are always clamoring to "know their history",but it's very apparent that they're not interesting in knowing their OWN family's history!
True.

And there's lots of other things they're not interested in knowing either.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
UTB

So far, I've been able to go back to 1790, and is still searching on a daily basis for further info.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
cisslybee2012
The REBEL
UTB
Mar 10 2012, 05:10 PM
So far, I've been able to go back to 1790, and is still searching on a daily basis for further info.
That's great U. ;)

But as for myself,

My research into the family life of ancient blacks isn't specific to my own tree line at this time, but in general.

I'll get around to my own tree line when I'm done with my present projects I'm working on. :)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
ZetaBoards - Free Forum Hosting
Enjoy forums? Start your own community for free.
« Previous Topic · General Discussion · Next Topic »
Add Reply