Chattel slavery was a system in which enslaved people were legally treated as property—bought, sold, inherited, and forced to labor for the benefit of others. Its impact disrupted families, communities, land ownership, inheritance, and generational wealth. Today, the conversation about repair continues. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley recently announced an updated Caribbean reparations manifesto addressing
In my hometown of Altoona, Pennsylvania, the Sunday School Picnic has roots in the African American church community. What began as a gathering of local Sunday schools for fellowship, recreation, and cultural celebration grew into something even greater—a treasured tradition that brings families and generations together. And that is exactly what we experienced again this
Family reunions, homecomings, cookouts, weddings, birthdays, and holidays give us something incredibly valuable: time together across generations. And for a family historian, those gatherings can become an important part of the genealogy journey. Genealogy is the study and tracing of our family history, but that history isn’t found only in census records, certificates, and databases.
Every summer, Finding Deep Roots takes a brief pause from hosting genealogy workshops. While it may appear that we’re taking a break, the truth is—we’re doing some of our most important work. Genealogy is much more than searching census records, reviewing deeds, or tracing names through historical documents. It is also about walking where our
At Finding Deep Roots, we are always encouraging others to research their family history—but this summer, we’re taking time to do the same for ourselves. We’ll be taking a brief break during the months of May, June, and July as we focus on researching our own family histories. This time allows us to dig deeper,
There’s something special that happens in our genealogy workshops—and it never gets old. We truly love engaging with library patrons as they begin or continue their journey into family history. Whether it’s someone just starting out or a returning participant coming back with new discoveries, every workshop brings moments that remind us why we do
Genealogy is a journey filled with discovery—but let’s be honest, it can also come with its fair share of frustration. There will be moments when the records don’t line up. Names change. Dates don’t make sense. Documents seem to disappear. You may hit what feels like a complete stop in your research—a roadblock that makes
For over twenty years, Shawna and I have been avid genealogy researchers — committed to uncovering the stories, names, and lives of those who came before us. There is nothing quite like the moment when someone sees their parent as a child on a U.S. Federal Census…or holds their grandparent’s marriage certificate for the first
As we closeout Women’s History Month, I honor the woman who gave me my first understanding of family — my mother, Andrea. Through her, I learned the importance of connection, tradition, and remembering where we come from. Whether through stories, family gatherings, or quiet moments of reflection, she showed me that our history lives within
This Women’s History Month, we celebrate the women who shaped us — starting at home. For Shawna, her relationship with her mother is the foundation of her passion for family, history, and connection. Through love, guidance, and shared memories, her mother instilled in her the importance of knowing where you come from and honoring those
