While researching recently on FamilySearch's Full Text experimental website, I found two important deeds connected to my family history. The first deed, dated 15 February 1843, was Council R. Bass of Washington County, Mississippi deeding 161 acres of land to his brother's wife, Elizabeth Bass of Hinds County, Mississippi. The second deed, dated 24 February …
Continue reading Enslaved Behind Home Depot in Jackson, Mississippi
In the targeted area above, I posit that my enslaved maternal 3X-great-grandmother, named Lucy, was likely taken away from this area during the Second Middle Passage. This area is in the northern part of Pittsylvania County, Virginia. DNA was the “North Star” that led me to this Virginia county. The Deep South experienced a great …
Continue reading From Mississippi to the Upper South: DNA was the “North Star”
During the 1940s and 1950s, most of my maternal grandmother’s siblings joined the exodus of African Americans from Mississippi who were migrating north to Chicago, Detroit, Gary, Indianapolis, and other places. They were looking for better opportunities in the industrialized northern cities where decent-paying, factory jobs were available. They were also escaping from the tumultuous …
“Brick wall” is a metaphor used in genealogical and historical research when one reaches a point in their research where he/she is unable to progress further or “dig deeper.” All researchers encounter it. For those tracing African American ancestors, this proverbial brick wall is commonly encountered at the 1870 U.S. Federal Census, a vitally important census …
When we research our enslaved ancestors, we must consider several different scenarios concerning family relationships. Our ancestors were considered “property,” and many enslaved men were forced to procreate with other women to increase an enslaver’s wealth. Breeding occurred on many farms and plantations. Also, many enslaved women were required to bear as many children as …
Our X chromosomes matter! When I tested with 23andMe, I was surprised to see that my single X chromosome contains a long Native American segment. It is colored in gold below. My X chromosome (23andMe) Males inherit their X chromosome from their mothers, so I awaited my mother’s 23andMe results to see her X chromosome. …
Continue reading From Whom Did This Native American DNA Come From?
In Bernard Marr’s Forbes article, “13 Easy Steps to Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills,” he wrote how critical thinking is ”the ability to look at evidence, evaluate the trustworthiness of a source, and think critically.” He further wrote how “critical thinking means arriving at your own carefully considered conclusions instead of taking information at face …
Continue reading The Lack of Critical Thinking Breeds Genealogical Errors
Very often, especially with enslaved ancestral research, direct evidence cannot be found to answer a common question, “Who were his parents?” Direct evidence is documentation that clearly states the relationship between two people. However, indirect evidence, combined with other findings, can shine a light on the answer or the likely answer. This was the situation …
Continue reading Finding Lucy: When Pieces of Indirect Evidence Add Up
2023 Edwards Family Reunion, Oklahoma City, OK, Edwards Park, photo by Oklahoma Reunion Committee Back in 1993, when I began researching my family, my mother’s oldest living first cousin told me that their grandfather, Bill Reed, had a sister named Aunt Hattie Whiting. Another family elder corroborated his claim. My mother even remembered her only …
The reasons why formerly enslaved people selected their surnames varied. Some took the last enslaver’s surname. Some didn’t. Some took a surname not associated with any slave-owner. Some took the surname of a previous enslaver who had enslaved one or both of their parents. There are other reasons. So, what surname did Squire take? Let’s …
Roots Revealed 