Every June and July, a familiar debate resurfaces. Some people ask why Black Americans celebrate Juneteenth when Independence Day already exists. Others wonder if recognizing Juneteenth somehow diminishes the Fourth of July. I don't believe it does. In fact, I believe celebrating both holidays tells the complete American story. As a genealogist, I don't see these holidays as competing with one another. I see them as chapters in the same story, each revealing a different truth about our...

Happy July 1st! We’re halfway through 2026, and for me, this year has been all about helping people discover things they don’t know about their family history. July is National Family Reunion Month, and for family historians, it may be the most meaningful month of the year. While many people think of reunions as backyard cookouts, games, and family photos, genealogists know they are much more than that. Every reunion is an opportunity to discover stories, preserve memories, and strengthen...

March is my Walker line month. I’m filling missing branches before our June 2026 reunion with a South Carolina research trip near Easter—Barnwell County courthouse, local library, and the SC state archives in Columbia.