Old photos, family Bibles, and keepsakes can hold the clues that records don’t. In this post, I share how one powerful heirloom—The Bull Whip—connects memory, survival, and research, and how your own heirlooms can spark breakthroughs.

DNA testing for Black genealogy can open doors, but it has limits. Learn how to use matches, GEDmatch, and records like the 1870 census to build proof—not just guesses.

Black genealogy newspapers reveal everyday moments, resilience, and community life often missing from official records. Learn how these papers help uncover ancestors between the lines.

Thursday, February 12, 2026 Your ancestors didn’t disappear between census years—records exist to prove they were there If you’ve ever researched Black ancestors in a city, you know the frustration. The census is only conducted every 10 years. Families move. Names change. Neighborhoods disappear. And suddenly, a whole decade of your ancestor’s life feels invisible. That’s where city directories come in. City directories are one of the most overlooked tools in Black genealogy.

February 8, 2026— Before 1870, Black family history felt impossible to trace. Freedmen’s Bureau records changed that. If you've encountered difficulties in your Black family history research, you're not alone. Many researchers reach a stopping point around 1870, the first federal census to list formerly enslaved people by name. Before that, the trail can feel cold and frustrating. That’s where Freedmen’s Bureau records come in—and why they are often called a goldmine for Blac

Marriage and death certificates don’t tell the whole story—but they leave clues. Learn how missing details in vital records can reveal powerful insights into Black family history and ancestral connections.

Racial labels like “Mulatto” and “Colored” weren’t neutral—and they weren’t fixed. Learn how historical language has shaped Black genealogy records and why understanding context is key to accurately reading your ancestors’ stories.

February 5, 2026 - The paper trail isn't gone! One of the first things many people learn when researching enslaved ancestors is this hard truth: names were often taken, changed, misspelled, or never written down at all. That can feel discouraging. How do you trace someone who seems to disappear from the record before 1870? Here’s the good news. The paper trail may be broken, but it is not gone. Enslaved people left footprints everywhere, even when their names were erased. Fin

Before 1870, most formerly enslaved people were not listed by name in federal census records. They appeared as numbers—age, sex, and skin color—under the name of an enslaver. The 1870 census changed everything. It was the first federal census to list formerly enslaved people by name, acknowledging them as individuals and families.

February 2, 2026 - Your elders are your best source of information. Conversations about the past matter! Talk to an elder today to capture your family's stories. The most valuable records that you already have are your elders' stories. When people begin researching their family history, they often head straight to online databases. Census records, DNA tests, and digitized documents feel official and reliable. Over time, I learned an essential truth about Black genealogy: som

Family history can hold silence, shame, and survival. Talking with care can turn painful stories into healing and connection.

February has a way of making us pause and reflect. During Black History Month, we hear powerful stories about resilience, creativity, struggle, and triumph. We celebrate well-known leaders and everyday people who shaped history in quiet but meaningful ways. And often, somewhere in the middle of all that reflection, a thought creeps in: What about my people? Where do my family’s stories fit into this larger history?

Happy Labor Day! Labor Day became a federal holiday on June 28, 1894, when President Grover Cleveland signed it into law. The holiday was established to honor American workers and recognize their contributions to the country's strength, prosperity, and well-being. Some of us got the day off, while others see today as the last days of summer. Lots of cookouts are happening. School is back in session throughout most of the country, and we are preparing for fall and winter holid

Every May, communities across the United States celebrate Historic Preservation Month . We repaint old storefronts, lead walking tours, and post photos of restored barns. The goal is simple: save the places and objects that tell our national story. Yet this year’s celebration feels urgent. During the last week of April, curators at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) started boxing up landmark artifacts—including pieces of the 19

Funeral Home books can hold the key to lost family information. When most people think about researching their family history, they imagine digging through census records, birth certificates, and old photographs. But there’s another valuable resource that is often overlooked — funeral programs and obituaries. These documents hold a wealth of information that can help piece together family trees, connect long-lost relatives, and preserve the legacy of African American families

Throughout history, countless African American women have shaped society with their strength, resilience, and groundbreaking achievements. While names like Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, and Maya Angelou are widely recognized, many other remarkable women remain largely unsung. This article highlights three African American women whose contributions have impacted science, education, and civil rights. 1. Alice Augusta Ball (1892–1916) – The Scientist Who Revolutionized Leprosy Tre

Happy Black History Month Folks! This blog is a little longer than most, but it comes from my step-by-step guide to starting your family...

It’s the fourth day of Black History Month, and I’m already a day behind folks! But I will be blogging for the entire month. I’m excited...

First, Happy Black History Month, folks! I don’t usually rant in writing or in public, but we are living in a time where they are trying...

Why is the Black Vote Crucial in the Upcoming Election? The right to vote is a powerful tool that African Americans have fought long and hard to secure. Today, as we face another pivotal election, it's crucial to remember how much is at stake. Our ancestors endured discrimination, violence, and even death to secure the right to cast their ballots. The fact that some would choose to stay home on election day rather than exercise this hard-earned right is not only dishearten