African American genealogy Archives

Genealogy Links: Closet Skeletons and Untold Stories

I often run into interesting articles and videos on genealogy research while perusing the web. I like to share them with you here on the blog from time to time. For more links, check my Pinterest and Youtube pages.

Healing Through Stories

I have ancestors on both sides of my family tree who fought against each other in the American Civil War. My Dad’s family was from the South, my mom’s family was from the North. My ancestors fought against each other in this gruesome, brutal war. Stories about wars often paint one side as heroes andContinue reading “Healing Through Stories”

Discovering Allen and my Slave Owner Ancestor

I give and bequeath to my son William J Ray my yellow boy slave Allen until my son Benjamin F arrives at the age of twenty one years, at which time my boy Allen is to be set free.

My brother recently uncovered the will for my ancestor, William Calvin Ray in Murray County, Georgia. In it he mentions “my yellow boy slave Allen.” this is my first encounter with a slave owner ancestor. I have a lot of ancestors in the South, so I figured a slave owner would turn up, but thisContinue reading “Discovering Allen and my Slave Owner Ancestor”