Should we continue to discuss and research slavery?

Should we continue to discuss and research slavery?

This question has been a source of controversy. While, some people, both Blacks’ and Whites’ say that we should not talk about or research slavery, others believe that in order to conduct sound research, and especially in researching the African American family that researching slavery is a necessary tool.

Genealogy is the study of tracing the lineage and history of families. In order to obtain information about particular family/families, Genealogist use oral history and historical records. Genealogy preserves our history, links our past and connects our future. This connective bond between the past and the future gives family members a sense of belonging, and a sense of discovery. The key to our future is unlocking our past. Research is like digging for a buried treasure, finding gold and becoming rich with knowledge.

Kimberly Powell says in her article entitled, “Grow your Family Tree in Salt Lake City,” that, “Genealogy is the fastest growing hobby in North America.” Powell says, “60% of Americans,” are researching their family tree (http://genealogy.about.com/library/weekly/aa011502a.htm). Powell reports that the Family Search Websites receives over 6 million hits a day. Powell says that an average of 24,000 people a day, from all over the world visit the Family Research Library in Utah. (http://genealogy.about.com/library/weekly/aa011502a.htm) Ancestry.com, with over one million subscriptions, is the largest online community for genealogy research.

Since, most African Americans are descendants of African slaves, (enslaved in North America) and they were deemed as human property, researching African American genealogy is tedious and sometimes it can be a very frustrating task. Human property/slaves and freedmen were not included in the United States Federal Census and in other recorded documents. The vast majority of African Americans’ ancestry cannot be traced past the 1870 United States Federal Census. This roadblock known as the “brick wall,” occurred because of the institution of slavery, subsequently, African Americans existed in a political/social context in which their lineage was not important.

The remnants of the lost history of a scattered people, torn from their homeland of Africa, can only be found and recovered by researching, sharing and discussing slavery. If we bury, this precious treasure, the African American family tree dies at the root, and we further dismiss and alienate African American genealogy.

Let’s not lay to rest, the history of slavery in America, but let’s get over the feelings of racism and prejudice. We can heal and then mend the broken pieces of the family structure and reunite in brotherhood.

It was emotionally disheartening, when I discovered my family in 1843 and 1848, slave bills of sale. However, the joy of finding them was incredible and from that record, I was able to trace my family tree back to 1785. It was refreshing to learn that, while some applauded the dogma of slavery, others took the center stage and protested. I discovered that my ancestors were owned by a family of Quakers and some of them were granted their freedom.  The Quakers known as “Friends” began to preach against slavery. As a result, the anti-slavery movement began which led to the covert operations of the Underground Railroad.

It is imperative in African American genealogy that we re-visit slavery in America.I also believed that history, no matter how ugly, should not be buried. Within the darkness there is always light, the story of humanity is revealed during the dark days.

Ann Lee, author of Human Property Hanging in the Family Tree Yields a Harvest.

http://www.amazon.com/Property-Hanging-Family-Yields-Harvest/dp/1478195827/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344638787&sr=8-1&keywords=human+property+hanging+in+the+family+tree

Twitter Ann Lee @alee4272

Oh yea a Proud Slave Ancestry

Oh yea, a Proud Slave Ancestry

I am no longer ashamed of what they were (slaves) but proud of what they became.

There is a deeply-rooted saying, “Promises are made to be broken.” A promise is a verbal declaration. Such an oath, really is enduring when you make a vow to someone you dearly love.  After breaking a promise to a love one, is there redemption? Can you resolve, repair, or mend the broken pieces of a dissolved promise?

The story of my 3^rd great grandmother Mariah, born a slave, survived the horrors of slavery, fought the KKK and owned acre of land, known as “The Lands of Mariah Johnson,” have been passed down. As tradition would dictate, I passed the stories down to my children.

I was in an auspicious position of knowing the oral history of my family. My family’s history, at times, especially when I was a child, seemed to be a fantastic story. Although, I knew that my mother and aunt spoke earnestly, I could not capture their moments of reminisces. I could not grasp the historical context of living within a time where color, class and gender were synonymous with servitude, slavery and inequality. Therefore, I lived in their moment and listened. I listened to their thoughts and memories. While, in that precious moment of time, I learned that I am, all that I am, because of their sacrifice.

Years before my dear mother passed away, she said to me, “Please research our family tree.” My mother knew that I had a genuine appreciation for family history. “I will Mother, not now, I’ll do it later,” I answered. My mother spoke as though we were of royal blood. I had to admit, but only to myself, that I was a little ashamed of being a descendant of slaves and I was scared. I was afraid of confronting my fears and reservations about the indignity of slavery.

In 2005, after my mother’s death, I was immersed in grief. For a couple of months, I cried myself to sleep. Then late one night, I remembered my mother’s words, “Follow the trail of the land, the land speaks.” The next day, I struggled through the pain of anguish, wiped my tears, buried my regrets and decided to research my family tree.

A couple of years into the research, I gained a new perspective, I became proud of my slave ancestry. Yes, my 3rd great grandmother, Mariah was a slave, as her mother Chloe was, and her grandmother, Tisby was born into slavery. However, the most powerful testament to humanity is the ability to love and share love and respect in the face of social restrictions and racial barriers. . Mariah’s master’s children and grandchildren loved Mariah and her family, as she loved them too. The beauty of this friendship is that it broke the traditions of the slave master relationship as a human bond between master and slave was formed.

After the Civil War, the journey of Mariah’s departure to transcend from human property to a human being was met with opposition as she and her family channeled through the violent Reconstruction Era. However, she succeeded despite the hardships of the Jim Crow laws as she gained the respect of an affluent White community.

Mariah was a servant in the house of Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Mariah believed that Jefferson Davis regretted owning slaves and the ideology of slavery. Mariah’s inspiration to bring about social change extended long after her death. Mariah’s grandson, Professor Elliott Von Joseph Beal and the Queen of Gospel music, Mahalia Jackson (his cousin) and their friend the unforgettable slain Civil Rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., changed the course of history.

During the Civil Rights Movement, Mariah’s descendants, after a turbulent and long travel, historically landed as human beings with equal rights.

After 7 years of research, in 2012, I fulfilled my promise to my mother. I wrote, “Human Property Hanging in the Family Tree Yields a Harvest.” At times, I am still haunted by not fulfilling my promise. I have learned that ‘time’ moves on, even when we stand still, time waits for no one. If you make a promise, please keep it, a broken promise is heartbreaking. I have learned not to be afraid of the unknown, because with sound research, answers to questions can alleviate fear.

Book Information

Published date 01/27/2012. ISBN: 978-1-62030-045-9. The book contains 207 pages, 50,000 words, 7 photographs with 4 photographs with courtesy/permission. This work contains 11 pages of Bibliography. Available in 6x9 perfect bound.

The book is available at The Book Patch http://www.thebookpatch.com/BookStoreDetails.aspx?BookID=5382

The book will be available on Amazon.com

 EBook Kindle Edition at Amazon   http://www.amazon.com/Property-Hanging-Family-Harvest-ebook/dp/B00727LLKC/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1329162632&sr=1-1-spell

Antoinette Harrell host of "Nurturing Our Roots," BlogTV Radio will feature Ann Lee

Antoinette Harrell, author, genealogist and host of “Nurturing Our Roots” blog TV Radio, will
feature Ann Lee author of “Human Property Hanging in the Family Tree,” on June 26, 2012 at 8 pm.

Please join this event http://www.blogtalkradio.com/antoinette-harrell/2012/06/27/human-property-hanging-in-the-family-tree-yields-a-harvest?fb_action_ids=3503563747393&fb_action_types=blogtalk%3Aschedule&fb_source=timeline_ogFor

Excerpt from book, "Human Property Hanging in the Family Tree, Yields a Harvest."
"Throughout my childhood, from my mother and numerous relatives, I had heard the story of Mariah  and the massacre. Since, I had only traced, studied and researched unilateral genealogy; I was quite amazed that the most vivid recollection of the story was told by a family member on my grandmother’s side. In 1995, my great cousin Sonny from New Orleans, Louisiana came to visit. Cousin Sonny and my mother laughed and enjoyed the moment as they talked about the early days in Gulfport, Mississippi. Their laughter ceased as Cousin Sonny with a serious tone began to talk about Mariah. He had heard the story from his mother. On occasions, Aunt Doll, Cousin Sonny’s mother would visit with her sister Evelyn Williams Davis, (wife of Archie P. Davis) in Gulfport, Mississippi. In 1925, prior to Mariah’s death, she told stories of the crow. Mariah said that a crow, (referring to a bird) led her and her family out of a massacre. Archie P. Davis born in 1891 grew up, listening to his grandmother Mariah telling him about her ancestry, slavery and the massacre."
For more information on Ann Lee see http://sites.google.com/site/mariahandchloey/home

Again, please join Antoinette Harrell host of "Nurturing Our Roots," on June 26, 2012 with her guest

Author Ann Lee.

                                                I promised my mother

There is a deeply-rooted saying, “Promises are made to be broken.” A promise is a verbal declaration. Such an oath, really is enduring when you make a vow to someone you dearly love. A broken promise is heart breaking. After breaking a promise to a love one, is there redemption? Can you resolve, repair, or mend the broken pieces of a dissolved promise?

The story of my 3^rd grandmother Mariah, born a slave, survived the horrors of slavery, and owned acre of land, known as “The Lands of Mariah Johnson,” have been passed down. As tradition would dictate, I passed the stories down to my children.

 I was in an auspicious position of knowing the oral history of my family. My family’s history, at times, especially when I was a child, seemed to be a fantastic story. Although, I knew that my mother and aunt spoke earnestly, I could not capture their moments of reminisces. I could not grasp the historical context of living within a time where color, class and gender were synonymous with servitude, slavery and inequality. Therefore, I lived in their moment and listened. I listened to their thoughts and memories. While, in that precious moment of time, I learned that I am, all that I am, because of their sacrifice.

Years before my dear mother passed away, she said to me, “Please research our family tree.” My mother knew that I had a genuine appreciation for family history. “I will Mother, not now, I’ll do it later,” I answered. In 2006, after my mother’s death, I was immersed in grief. For a couple of months, I cried myself to sleep. Then late one night, when I remembered my mother’s words, “Follow the trail of the land, the land speaks.” the search for my ancestors began. I struggled through the pain of anguish, wiped my tears, buried my regrets and decided to research my family tree.

After 7 years of research, in 2012, I fulfilled my promise to my mother. I wrote, “Human Property Hanging in the Family Tree Yields a Harvest,” the true story of my 3^rd great grandmother, Mariah. At times, I am still haunted by not fulfilling my promise. A broken promise is heart breaking. I have learned that ‘time’ moves on even when we stand still.

Happy Mother’s Day; to all those mothers, who love us unconditionally. If you make a promise to your mother, please keep it and remember that time waits for no one.

In honor of Mother Day, I will give away 4 Paperback books go to Goodreads.com before May 30, 2012  http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/25195-human-property-hanging-in-the-family-tree-yields-a-harvest

Book Information:

Published date 01/27/2012. ISBN: 978-1-62030-045-9. The book contains 207 pages, 50,000 words, 7 photographs with 4 photographs with courtesy/permission. This work contains 11 pages of Bibliography. Available in 6x9 perfect bound.

Book available (for $15.00) at The Book Patch http://www.thebookpatch.com/BookStoreDetails.aspx?BookID=5382

Also in honor of Mother’s Day, Kindle EBook will be free on May 17-18 2012.

http://www.amazon.com/Property-Hanging-Family-Harvest-ebook/dp/B00727LLKC/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1329162632&sr=1-1-spell

I Promised my mother

                                                                

                                                          I promised my mother

There is a deep-rooted saying, “Promises are made to be broken.”

A promise is a verbal declaration. Such an oath, really is enduring

when you make a vow to someone you dearly love. A broken

promise is heart breaking. After breaking a promise to a love one,

is there redemption? Can you resolve, repair, or mend the broken

pieces of a dissolved promise?

The story of my 3^rd grandmother Mariah, born a slave, survived the
horrors of slavery, and owned acre of land, known as “The Lands
of Mariah Johnson,” have been passed down. As tradition would
dictate, I passed the stories down to my children.

I was in an auspicious position of knowing the oral history of my

family. My family’s history, at times, especially when I was a

child, seemed to be a fantastic story. Although, I knew that my

mother and aunt spoke earnestly, I could not capture their moments

of reminisces. I could not grasp the historical context of living

within a time where color, class and gender were synonymous with

servitude, slavery and inequality. Therefore, I lived in their

moment and listened. I listened to their thoughts and memories.

While, in that precious moment of time, I learned that I am, all that

I am, because of their sacrifice.

Years before my dear mother passed away, she said to me, “Please

research our family tree.” My mother knew that I had a genuine

appreciation for family history. “I will Mother, not now, I’ll do it

later,” I answered. In 2006, after my mother’s death, I was

immersed in grief. For a couple of months, I cried myself to sleep.

Then late one night, when I remembered my mother’s words,

“Follow the trail of the land, the land speaks.” the search for my

ancestors began. I struggled through the pain of anguish, wiped my

tears, buried my regrets and decided to research my family tree.

After 7 years of research, in 2012, I fulfilled my promise to my

mother. I wrote, “Human Property Hanging in the Family Tree

Yields a Harvest,” the true story of my 3^rd great grandmother,

Mariah. At times, I am still haunted by not fulfilling my promise. A

broken promise is heart breaking. I have learned that ‘time’ moves

on even when we stand still.

Book Information:

Published date 01/27/2012. ISBN: 978-1-62030-045-9. The book

contains 207 pages, 50,000 words, 7 photographs with 4

photographs with courtesy/permission. This work contains 11

pages of Bibliography. Available in 6x9 perfect bound.

Book available (for $12.00) at The Book Patch http://www.thebookpatch.com/BookStoreDetails.aspx?BookID=5382

http://www.amazon.com/Property-Hanging-Family-Harvest-ebook/dp/B00727LLKC/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1329162632&sr=1-1-spell

 EBook Kindle Edition at Amazon for $3.00

http://www.amazon.com/Property-Hanging-Family-Harvest-ebook/dp/B00727LLKC/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1329162632&sr=1-1-spell

Kindle applications are available on your PC

Please visit Bunnysreview http://bunnysreview.com/2012/06/promo-human-property-hanging-in-the-family-tree-yields-a-harvest-by-ann-lee/

Mariah on the cover of the book

“Human Property Hanging in the Family Tree Yields a Harvest,” is

a true story of the life and times of Mariah and her family. Mariah

was born a slave, witnessed a brutal slave massacre, and fought the

KKK. Mariah’s departure to transcend from human property to a

human being was met with opposition, as she and her family

channeled through the violent Reconstruction Era. As the matriarch

of her family, Mariah, was unwavering as she attempted to sail

through the iniquitous institution of inequality. She remained

steadfast in her hope of attaining the American dream.

Excerpt:" With the enduring memory of slavery, the strength to
survive and sustain the right to battle for equality, Mariah left the
mentality of the plantation and never looked back. Mariah wrapped up her waist length hair, adorned herself with fine jewelry and only wearing the apparel that she had designed, she was ready to begin her life as a free woman.The days of free labor were behind her.
Now, all the clothes that she had designed were for sale. Her talents as a seamstress and a fashion designer landed her the opportunity to work for the elite residents of Gulfport, one of which was former Confederate President Jefferson Davis." Pg.69

Read what Mariah experienced in the home of Jefferson Davis.

EBook Kindle Edition at Amazon. Free on April 25, 2012

http://www.amazon.com/Property-Hanging-Family-Harvest-ebook/dp/B00727LLKC/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1329162632&sr=1-1-spell

 Ann’s contact information:

http://sites.google.com/site/mariahandchloey/home

 Twitter @alee4272 

Email: alee4272@gmail.com

photogenic

Mariah the courageous warrior was also photogenic.





http://sites.google.com/site/mariahandchloey/home

http://www.amazon.com/Property-Hanging-Family-Harvest-ebook/dp/B00727LLKC/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1329162632&sr=1-1-spell

http://www.thebookpatch.com/BookStoreDetails.aspx?BookID=5382&ID=615a2de2-11c3-4157-8f78-4cf8cdb2cf2d

http://www.thebookpatch.com/BookStoreDetails.aspx?BookID=5382&ID=615a2de2-11c3-4157-8f78-4cf8cdb2cf2d

http://www.thebookpatch.com/BookStoreDetails.aspx?BookID=5382&ID=615a2de2-11c3-4157-8f78-4cf8cdb2cf2d

Mariah on the cover of the book.

Human Property Hanging in the Family Tree Yields a Harvest, is a true story of the life and times of Mariah and her family.Mariah was born a slave, witnessed a brutal slave massacre, and fought the KKK. Mariah’s departure to transcend from human property to a human being was met with opposition, as she and her family channeled through the violent Reconstruction Era. As the matriarch of her family, Mariah, was unwavering as she attempted to sail through the iniquitous institution of inequality. She remained steadfast in her hope of attaining the American dream.

Read excerpts from the book Human Property Hanging in the Family Tree Yields a Harvest, 
http://sites.google.com/site/mariahandchloey/home

Free Ebook Kindle Edition at Amazon on March 14, 2012

"Human Property Hanging in the Family Tree Yields a Harvest," free Ebook Kindle Edition at Amazon March 14-15, 2012

 http://www.amazon.com/Property-Hanging-Family-Harvest-ebook/dp/B00727LLKC/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1329162632&sr=1-1-spell

 “Human Property Hanging in the Family Tree Yields a Harvest,” is a true story of the life and times of Mariah and her family. Mariah was born a slave, witnessed a slave massacre, and fought the KKK. Mariah’s departure to transcend from human property to a human being was met with opposition, as she and her family channeled through the violent reconstruction era. As the matriarch of her family, Mariah, was unwavering as she attempted to sail through the iniquitous institution of inequality. She remained steadfast in her hope of attaining the American dream.

Blair Underwood

I enjoyed watching Blair Underwood's ancestral journey, on "Who do you think you are" on NBC. I was intrigued by the genealogist going forward and searching the 1860 census. I was able to knock down the “brick wall” by knowing the slave owner's name and having my 3^rd great grandmother's death certificate (which told the place that she was born). So, I searched the census records of the slave holding family, and followed them back. I found the slave holding family living in the birth state and county of my 3^rd great grandmother. In Washington County, Arkansas, I was able to find several “slave bills of sale.” I have traced my African American ancestry back to 1785. It was not easy, it took 7 years, but it was exciting. I love ancestry.com.

 See how I and co-researcher G. Johnson was able to go through that frustrating, "Brick Wall!"

                                                                   http://sites.google.com/site/mariahandchloey/home


“Human Property Hanging in the Family Tree, Yields a Harvest,” is a true story of the life and times of Mariah and her family. Mariah was born a slave, witnessed a slave massacre, and fought the KKK. Mariah’s departure to transcend from human property to a human being was met with opposition, as she and her family channeled through the violent reconstruction era. As the matriarch of her family, Mariah, was unwavering as she attempted to sail through the iniquitous institution of inequality. She remained steadfast in her hope of attaining the American dream.

http://www.thebookpatch.com/BookStoreDetails.aspx?BookID=5382

 Free download on Wednesday and Thursday Kindle Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Property-Hanging-Family-Harvest-ebook/dp/B00727LLKC/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1329162632&sr=1-1-spell

Kindle: Free EBook Kindle Amazon

Free download Ebook Kindle Amazon on Wednesday Feb 15 and Thursday Feb 16 2012
Author Ann Lee offering free download, title
Human Property Hanging in the Family Tree, Yields a Harvest


http://www.amazon.com/Property-Hanging-Family-Harvest-ebook/dp/B00727LLKC/ref=sr_1-1?s=digitial-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328463685&si=1-1

Human Property Hanging in the Family Tree, is the true story about a Mariah, born a slave and survived
a massacre and fought the KKK.





https://sites.google.com/site/mariahandchloey/

Mariah's Legacy

https://sites.google.com/site/mariahandchloey/

 “Human Property Hanging in the Family Tree Yields a Harvest,” is a true story of the life and times of Mariah and her family. Mariah was born a slave, witnessed a slave massacre, and fought the KKK. Mariah’s departure to transcend from human property to a human being was met with opposition, as she and her family channeled through the violent reconstruction era. As the matriarch of her family, Mariah, was unwavering as she attempted to sail through the iniquitous institution of inequality. She remained steadfast in her hope of attaining the American dream.

Book available at

http://www.thebookpatch.com/BookStoreDetails.aspx?BookID=5382

 http://www.amazon.com/Property-Hanging-Family-Harvest-ebook/dp/B00727LLKC/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1329162632&sr=1-1-spell

Free Ebook Kindle Edition on March 14-15 2012

Please post comments. For more information please visit https://sites.google.com/site/mariahandchloey/