Research at the National Archives&Beyond

Rebroadcast Fathers of Conscience Mixed-Race Inheritance in the Antebellum South Bernice Bennett and Natonne Elaine Kemp welcome author Bernie D. Jones for an engaging discussion about her book - Fathers of Conscience - Mixed-Race Inheritance in the Antebellum South.    Fathers of Conscience examines high-court decisions in the antebellum South that involved wills in which white male planters bequeathed property, freedom, or both to women of color and their mixed-race children. These men, whose wills were contested by their white relatives, had used trusts and estates law to give their slave partners and children official recognition and thus circumvent the law of slavery. The will contests that followed determined whether that elevated status would be approved or denied by courts of law. Jones is Associate Professor, Suffolk University Law School.  She is a graduate of the New York University Law School and the University of Virginia Department of History.   

Fathers of Conscience Mixed-Race Inheritance in the Antebellum South Bernice Bennett and Natonne Elaine Kemp welcome author Bernie D. Jones for an engaging discussion about her book - Fathers of Conscience - Mixed-Race Inheritance in the Antebellum South.    Fathers of Conscience examines high-court decisions in the antebellum South that involved wills in which white male planters bequeathed property, freedom, or both to women of color and their mixed-race children. These men, whose wills were contested by their white relatives, had used trusts and estates law to give their slave partners and children official recognition and thus circumvent the law of slavery. The will contests that followed determined whether that elevated status would be approved or denied by courts of law. Jones is Associate Professor, Suffolk University Law School.  She is a graduate of the New York University Law School and the University of Virginia Department of History. 

  DearMYRTLE is the nom de plume of Pat Richley-Erickson, author of the award-winning DearMYRTLE Genealogy Blog, consistently among the top 5 family history blogs internationally, where her focus is on beginning genealogy topics.   A speaker at regional and national conferences including several live videocasts at RootsTech2011 and 2012, Myrt is co-founder of the Genea-Quilters group on Facebook, and founder of www.GeneaWebinars.com, a centralized calendar and blog for all known genealogy webinar hosts and virtual presenters.  Myrt is also an active member of the Second Life (SL) Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists, and coordinator of SL's Just Genealogy including the Inferential Genealogy Study Group.     Online since 1985 in membership development with Q-Link's Your Family Tree and later on the leadership team of AOL's Golden Gate Genealogy Forum, Pat is a retired post-secondary computer instructor.  She and her husband maintain homes in Alexandria, Virginia and Salt Lake City, Utah.

  Bernice Bennett welcomes David Lynch who brings a new approach to searching his Caribbean roots, specifically in the U.S. Virgin Islands, the former Danish West Indies.  David used his 20 years of experience in scientific research to guide his work in uncovering his family’s 300 year history in the islands.  Very few records are available online, so David explored the rarely used NARA RG 55 in College Park and other sources. These records hold a wealth of information including tax lists and a nearly complete set of newspapers from St Croix dating from the early 1800’s.  In the process he learned a lot about the islands, the people, and a family history that was very different then he expected.   He chronicles his discoveries in his blog – 200 Year’s in Paradise – selected as one of Family Tree Magazine's Top 40 for 2012.

Rebroadcast   Regina E. Mason the great great great granddaugther of William Grimes will share a moving discussion of her research and discovery of the first fugitive slave narrative.    

  Would you spend the night in an old slave cabin? What would it feel like? Are you willing to experience what the enslaved had to go through to survive?     Bernice Bennett welcomes Joseph McGill, Jr.,  as he takes us  on a journey to experience the "Slave Dwelling Project". He sleeps in slave dwellings as an attempt to bring much needed attention and resources for their restoration. Joseph McGill, Jr. is a Field Officer for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He works in the Charleston, South Carolina Field Office.  McGill is the former Director of History and Culture at Penn Center, St. Helena Island, South Carolina. Penn School was the first school built during the Civil War for the education of recently freed slaves. McGill is the founder of Company “I” 54 Massachusetts Reenactment Regiment in Charleston, South Carolina. The 54 Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was the regiment portrayed in the award winning movie “Glory”. As a Civil War Reenactor, McGill participates in parades, living history presentations, lectures, and battle reenactments. Joseph McGill, Jr.,  is a native of Kingstree, South Carolina and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional English from South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, South Carolina.  

Genealogy Education, What, When and Where? Explore and understand the various resources available to assist you in selecting the best genealogy education program for you. Bernice Bennett welcomes Beverly Rice, cga teacher and lecturer in historical and genealogical topics with a special interest in "Western Migration, the Woman’s Experiences in the West".   She has taught genealogy and banking courses at a local community college on a part-time basis since 1981, and is the Director of American Studies and Director of Curriculum Development for GenealogicalStudies.com (National Institute for Genealogical Studies). Beverly is an associate of the Board for Certification of Genealogists, with credentials as a Certified GenealogistShe is also a board member for the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) and a former trustee for the Board for Certification of Genealogists.  Beverly received a bachelor’s degree from Portland State University in social science, with an emphasis on women’s studies and US history.                   Theme music - Sweet Mello Spice by composer / producer Alvin K. Alexander. 

  Natonne Elaine Kemp welcomes Tim Talbott a Teacher and Professional Development Coordinator at the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) in Frankfort. He handles a number of education outreach responsibilities including administering, developing, researching, and presenting Teaching American History grant programs to Kentucky educators. Prior to his position at the KHS, Tim worked at Pamplin Historical Park and the National Museum of the Civil War Soldiers in Petersburg, Virginia, as the Assistant Chief of Education and Visitor Services for three years.  Tim received his master’s degree in Public History from Appalachian State University, and has bachelor’s degrees in History from East Tennessee State University, and Communications from Milligan College.                   Theme music - Sweet Mello Spice by composer / producer Alvin K. Alexander.   

 Bernice Bennett welcomes Judy Riffel, a professional genealogist  for an engaging discussion about what you need to know about records and documents in Louisiana. Judy has authored numerous books and articles on genealogy, and she is an officer in one of the largest genealogical groups in the state, Le Comité des Archives de la Louisiane, and editor of its quarterly journal.             Theme music - Sweet Mello Spice by composer / producer Alvin K. Alexander. 

  This show will motivate you to create the story that puts your ancestor's life into the context of where they lived, celebrated and experienced  a multitude of life events, and died.  Telling the real story is what genealogy is all about! Do you have a story to tell about your ancestors? Bernice Bennett welcomes  Tamela Tenpenny-Lewis the newly elected National President of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS), for an engaging discussion on genealogy and preservation.  She has been active in the genealogical community for 32 years and is experienced in the fields of genealogical research, restoration, preservation, database management, program planning and presentation.  Her skill as a motivator and organizer serves the genealogical community with well received and attended national conferences. She has collaborated on numerous occasions with individuals and organization to share, inform, educate, and preserve historical information and artifacts.  In demand as a speaker and presenter across the United States, Tenpenny-Lewis has shared her passion for history and genealogy with Blacks in Government, National Association of Black Social Workers, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and many others.         Theme music - Sweet Mello Spice by composer / producer Alvin K. Alexander. 

  Gather at the Table: The Healing Journey of a Daughter of Slavery and a Son of the Slave Trade --   -- is the chronicle of a shared journey toward racial reconciliation. Informed by genealogy, it deals with race, social justice and healing from the traumatic wounds of slavery. Over a three year period, the authors traveled through 27 states, visiting ancestral towns, courthouses, cemeteries, plantations, antebellum mansions, and historic sites.    Bernice Alexander Bennett welcomes Sharon Leslie Morgan and Thomas Norman Dewolf to share this compelling journey with us.   Sharon Morgan is a marketing communications consultant and a nationally recognized pioneer in multicultural marketing. An avid genealogist, she is the webmaster for OurBlackAncestry.com and is a founder of the Black Public Relations Society.  Thomas Norman DeWolf, author of Inheriting the Trade, is featured in the Emmy-nominated documentary film Traces of the Trade, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and on the acclaimed PBS series POV. DeWolf speaks regularly about healing from the legacy of slavery and racism at conferences and colleges throughout the United States. 

  Bernice Bennett welcomes Linda McDowell  an archival assistant at the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies in Little Rock. She is a member of the Arkansas Historical Association and was recently elected to the board. She is also a member of the Garland County Historical Society, the Arkansas Genealogical Society (former board member and officer, 2000-2004), and the National Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society. She has published articles in various historical journals and the online Encyclopedia of Arkansas and compiled a genealogical reference entitled Black Slaves and Early Freedmen of Hempstead County, Arkansas, 1819-1850.                   Theme music - Sweet Mello Spice by composer / producer Alvin K. Alexander. 

Bernice Bennett is interviewed by Nichole Berlie who anchors First News at KETV in Omaha, Nebraska every weekday morning from 4:30 a.m. to 7 a.m. Bernice Bennett's  BlogTalkRadio show offers a variety of experts who share a multicultural perspective on genealogical research.  She launched her show last year, and now boost 43 episodes wth almost 20,000 archived listeners!  Tune in to hear how Bernice plans her shows and her vision for 2013!

Bernice Bennett welcomes archivist Claire Kluskens -  a specialist in immigration, census, and other records of high genealogical value at the National Archives in Washington, DC for a discussion of the Microfilm Publication M1895, Slave Manifests of Coastwise Vessels filed at New Orleans, Louisiana, 1807-1860 (thirty rolls).  These records are part of Record group 36, Records of the U.S. Customs Services. Claire Kluskens has spearheaded the completion of more than 300 National Archives microfilm publications.  She lectures frequently and has published extensively in national, state, and local genealogical publications.  Claire has been a National Archives staff member since 1992 and has done genealogical research since 1976.   Theme music - Sweet Mello Spice by composer / producer Alvin K. Alexander. 

  "Your Culture is Your Life Support System"! What do you know about your family history?  Have the elders share stories with you?  Have you considered writing your personal memoir that includes the oral history of your family and community? Bernice Bennett welcomes special guest George Geder for an exploration of the value of gathering oral histories, documenting and sharing personal memoirs. New York native and New Mexico photo restoration artist George Geder calls himself an "Evangelist for African Ancestored Genealogy" because he believes that our people need to research our family histories so the truth of what really happened in this country can be revealed.  In 2007, he was featured in a segment on the PBS television show "History Detectives" about his 2nd great grandfather who was a soldier and veteran of the Civil War.  George Geder, along with his wife Cynthia, received the prestigious 2012 award for community development from the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs.  His charge is "Guided by the Ancestors".     Theme music - Sweet Mello Spice by composer / producer Alvin K. Alexander.