The Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI) is an educational institute dedicated to advancing African American genealogical research through structured, in-depth training. Since its founding nearly 13 years ago, MAAGI has provided a unique and immersive learning experience, bringing together researchers, historians, and genealogists at all levels. MAAGI’s mission is to equip family historians & genealogists with the knowledge, tools, and methodologies needed to effectively trace African American family history. Through specialized tracks, expert-led courses, and hands-on workshops, MAAGI addresses the complexities of African American genealogy, including research challenges related to slavery, migration, and historical records. The institute fosters a supportive environment where participants gain valuable research skills, collaborate with peers, and engage with leading professionals in the field.
MAAGI 2025 will begin on Tuesday July 8th and conclude on Thursday July 10th, so come and join the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute family for a memorable and content rich experience!
https://www.maagiinstitute.org
Dr. Shelley Murphy is a Coordinator and Instructor at the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI) and develops staff and public genealogy educational programs for the Center for Family History at the International African American Museum (IAAM).
Lisa Fanning, an Indiana native, is a genealogist, genetic genealogist, and family historian, channeling a lifelong passion into unraveling the rich tapestry of her family's American history in the South and Midwest for the past 28 years.
Angela Walton-Raji is a nationally known speaker, author, and blogger who has been conducting family history since the 1990s. She has authored four books devoted to the Freedmen from Oklahoma, once enslaved in the Five Civilized Tribes. Her most recent book was published this year by History Press, “Oklahoma Freedmen of the Five Tribes.”
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ancestor-s-footprints-with-bernice-alexander-bennett--6436157/support.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:09):
Welcome to Ancestors Footprints with host Bernice Alexander Bennett, the
podcast where the Past comes alive. Whether you're a curious beginner,
an avid genealogist, or someone who believes that uncovering family
history is a lifelong journey, this show is for you.
(00:31):
With each episode, we'll bring you incredible stories, expert insights,
and practical tips to help you trace your roots and.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Connect with your heritage. I've lined up passionate experts who
will not only share their knowledge and resources, but also
answer your most pressing genealogy questions. Together, we'll uncover the
hidden gems in your family's history and inspire you to
take the next step in your journey. Is it ready to.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Explore, discovery and honor the footprints your ancestors left behind?
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Your story starts here.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Welcome to Ancestors Footprints. I'm Bernice Alexander Bennett and today's
Epithy Friends. I'm Bernice Alexander Bennett and today's episode about
the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute. The Midwest African American
Genealogy Institute, known as MAGGIE, is an educational institute dedicated
(01:38):
to advancing African American genealogical research through structured in depth training.
Since its founding nearly thirteen years ago, Maggie has provided
a unique and immersive learning experience, bringing together researchers, historians,
(01:59):
and genialogy at all levels. I'm honored to have been
one of the founding directors and coordinator with the institute,
and joining me today are my esteem colleagues, doctor Shelley
Vola Murphy, Angela Walton Rogi, and Lisa Fanning, and they
(02:19):
will provide additional information about how you can become a
part of the Maggie Experience. Maggie's mission is to equip
family historians and genealogists with the knowledge, tools and methodologies
needed to effectively trace African American family history. Through specialized tracts,
(02:45):
expert led courses, and hands on workshops, Maggie addresses the
complexities of African American genealogy, including research challenges related to
slave migration and historical records.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Not to mention DNA.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
The Institute fosters of supportive environment where participants gain valuable
research skills, collaborate with peers, and engage with leading professionals
in the field. So let me give a warm Welcome
to my guest today, and starting off this discussion is
(03:29):
doctor Shelley Viola Murphy. Doctor Shelley Murphy, also known as
Family Tree Girl. She is a genealogist and wears many
hats as the descendant project researcher for UVA Gibbons Project,
she works for the Center for the Family History International
(03:52):
African American Museum, and she coordinates genealogy education. Of course,
she's with MAT and she's also a board member for
the Library of Virginia and many more organizations.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
So let me just gibble warm.
Speaker 4 (04:10):
Welcome to Shelley Murphy.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
Shelley, welcome to the program.
Speaker 5 (04:15):
Hello to you, bernicean to the listeners. So happy to
be here, Thank you for having us.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
Oh girl, I am so excited. So let's just get started.
So you oversee two Maggie tracks, one focus on foundational
research strategies and another on slavery era research. So how
do these tracks complement each other and helping genealogists develop
(04:46):
both skills and historical understanding.
Speaker 5 (04:51):
Well, the first track, what you mentioned was the methods
and strategies that are somewhat the basics basic fundamental methods
and strategies. So folks would look at the type of
courses that we have, like time and foul management, how
to analyze, how to know about the law, like public
(05:14):
records and the law slavery and the law research in
the community gives you a strong foundation. Then you move
to the next track, which is also methods and strategies
for specifically slavery era research. So you're looking again at
the law, You're looking at reconstruction era records, the slave
(05:38):
ship manifests, as far as being able to examine them,
where to find them, and so much more. Folks will
get three days twelve classes that are packed and I
mean powerfully packed. So these first two tracks kind of
give a foundation of basis that will lead to the
(06:01):
other tracks. So it's just a great opportunity. Doesn't matter
what skilled people have, they are able to start with
these tracks and work their way through all of the
ones that we have offering each year.
Speaker 4 (06:16):
Sounds really exciting.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
So how do you know you're talking about these tracks?
But let's talk about some of the common challenges that
students bring to these tracks and how do your course
offerings help them overcome these barriers, especially when dealing with
brick walls or slavery era gaps.
Speaker 5 (06:41):
Well, we're going to have common challenges with African American research.
That could be the misspelling of names, access to records,
and some of the challenges is are being able to
know where the records are and how do you access them.
Two of the courses that we have in that first
(07:05):
track are looking at the community level, and so we
try to give a foundation that will conbat those challenges
that we know people are going to face. The instructors
have years and years of experience behind them as well
as the other tracks. So what this does is say,
(07:26):
you know what you got to know how to analyze
a record. A good way of doing that is to
analyze and build a timeline which keeps chronological order of
every movement or anything having to do with your ancestor.
And if you're looking in the slave era research, it's
(07:46):
also going to say you're going to track that slave
owner or how to find that owner. And then you've
got the law. You've got to consider what law was
in place at the time that you're researching in what state.
So I think it helps with the typical challenges again misspelling.
(08:07):
You know a lot of folks there's a myth out
there that there's no records prior to eighteen seventy that
people can't find their African American ancestors. You've got the
myth that they're in the challenge that you took on
your ancestors took on the slaveholder's surname, which is not
(08:28):
totally true. Only about fifteen percent per family surge took
on the slaveholder's name. So there's a lot of opportunities
that we teach give you ways of doing things, but
also tips and also some tricks from thirty twenty thirty
(08:49):
years to be able to combat some of those challenges.
So I think the way the courses are built out
helps people go from one stage to another.
Speaker 4 (09:00):
This sounds so exciting. It is.
Speaker 6 (09:04):
So.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
The faculty in both tracks include nationally recognized genealogists, legal scholars,
and historians. How do you create such a strong lineup
and what do you hope students take away from learning
with these experts.
Speaker 5 (09:22):
I have to go back to the foundation and over
thirty some years when I started, I didn't have a
good foundation of what to put in place, or how
to put things in place, even simply how to just
keep my files, how to organize them, or what do
I need to do. Typically, researchers, family historians are going
(09:46):
to say, you know what, the census is the first
go to. But again, there's so much more than just
a federal population census. Some people might not understand that
there's also a state census, and there could be other
records that go along with those type census records as
(10:07):
we call them. So looking at pulling in people that
have the expertise in the field. That gives a foundation.
And I'll use Judy Russell as an example. Public records
in the law. How can you research without knowing what
the law is telling you that has to happen, but
(10:27):
also the law tells you where the records could be
at and where they're being held. Who's collecting that information?
Or it could be Vicky McGill talking about doing that
community research. Exhaust that local level before you go on
the national or federal level. All of the records that
(10:48):
are online have been acquired from the local level, so
examining that community. Or it could be looking at colonial time.
Most of us did not get it exposed to colonial
type records until twenty some years into research. Other than
that we would have stayed in the eighteen hundreds. So
(11:09):
we've got Rick Murphy coming on and he will be
talking about, you know, tracing your roots in early America.
We got Renata Yarborough Sanders coming through, also looking at
free people of color in Antebellum South. So again, these
experts are there to help people look at what they're doing,
(11:35):
where they're doing at it, but also focusing on knocking
down those challenges. Now I want to say real quickly
a little bit about the slave era track. We've got
Tony Carrier, She's going to talk about the reconstruction records. Bernice,
you're going to be talking about the slave ship manifest
(11:57):
where they're at, what to do with them once.
Speaker 7 (11:59):
You have them?
Speaker 5 (12:01):
And Southern Claimed Commissions, what do you do with slave
runaway at how to find them? Nika Sewell Smith to
be coming on talking about a little bit of No
Stone on Turn. She will present case studies from the
last slaveholder. All of these provide a foundation that gets
(12:23):
you ready for that journey, because once you start, it's
a journey and it will last for years once you
get that genealogy bug. So I think we put together
a fabulous team of experts to teach and give that
foundational experience for a genealogical research gee.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
I think I want to take your course.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
You in, come on.
Speaker 5 (12:49):
It's a good one for experience or beginners, no matter
what you know.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
It's for both, it's for both. We thank you so much, Shelley.
I think you've pumped the audience up already, so let's
move on to Lisa Fanning. Lisa Fanning is the coordinator
for the DNA track. Now, let me tell you all
about Lisa. Lisa Fanning is a genealogist, a genetic genealogist,
(13:20):
a family historian, and she spent the last thirty years
folks unraveling the rich tapestry of her family's American history
in the South and the Midwest. As a genetic genealogist,
she's volunteered. She volunteers her expertise for groundbreaking initiatives such
(13:44):
as the DNA dough Project, the Tulsa Race Massacre DNA
Identification Project, and the DNA Search Squad, using DNA and
genealogy research to help identify the unidentified. She is an
(14:05):
elected member of the Board of Directors of the National
Genealogical Society and serves on the leadership team of the
Midwest African American Genealogy Institute.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Welcome Lisa, Thank you Ernie.
Speaker 7 (14:23):
I'm so happy to be here. This is wonderful.
Speaker 4 (14:26):
I am too. So let's thought it.
Speaker 3 (14:29):
So we're saying, I'm curious about DNA and family history,
but maybe a little intimidated by the science. What makes
this DNA track a great starting point?
Speaker 7 (14:43):
Absolutely?
Speaker 6 (14:44):
You know, the DNA track is designed just for those folks.
If you've you know, taken a direct to consumer DNA
test like ancestry DNA or even twenty three and meters,
or you're just managing one for relative but don't quite
know what to do with those results yet, this track
(15:04):
will really be your next step, and you don't need
a science background. We really break things down in plain language.
Speaker 7 (15:15):
And walk you through the tools, the terms.
Speaker 6 (15:18):
And techniques that make genetic genealogy accessible and powerful. You know,
whether you're trying to trace your African ancestry, solve a
family mystery, or just understand the matches in your DNA account,
we meet you right where you are and help you
build confidence.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
That sounds so exciting.
Speaker 3 (15:40):
So for someone who's curious about DNA and family history
but maybe a little intimidated, as.
Speaker 4 (15:47):
I already asked you this question.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
You said, you don't have to be a science right,
so take about this course. So the course brings together
some incredibly respected names in genie and DNA research. Can
you tell us a little about the faculty and what
makes learning from them so special?
Speaker 6 (16:08):
Absolutely, Bernice, you know, our DNA faculty is a dream team.
You'll learn from renowned experts like Judy Russell.
Speaker 7 (16:18):
Shelley was talking about her.
Speaker 6 (16:20):
She's otherwise known as the legal genealogist. She's nationally known
for making privacy and ethics understandable and relevant.
Speaker 7 (16:30):
Also, again we have.
Speaker 6 (16:31):
Nika Soule Smith who brings unmatched experience. She can help
you connect African American DNA results.
Speaker 7 (16:40):
Back to Africa.
Speaker 6 (16:42):
Also again Renata Yarborough Sanders and Janice Lovelace. You know
they're incredible educators with a gift for making beginners fel
at ease while teaching advanced concepts.
Speaker 7 (16:55):
And then we have Emma macbeth.
Speaker 6 (16:58):
She brings really technical mastery, i would say, across all
of the major testing platforms, and she can help you
untangle unknown parentage parentage mysteries. And you know, these are
people who care deeply about helping others uncover and honor
their family stories, and they know how to teach it.
Speaker 3 (17:21):
All right, So how can someone expect their experience and
their research to change after taking the DNA track?
Speaker 6 (17:33):
You know, I would say this track is a game changer.
Most students walk away not only understanding their DNA results,
but also feeling empowered to use those results to answer
tough questions, you know, about their ancestry. You'll leave with
practical tools, which is really important for integrating your DNA
(17:55):
data with traditional genealogy that Shelley talked a lot about,
and also tips for organizing your research and insight into
you know, some things that you don't think about, like
emotional and ethical aspects that often come with family discoveries.
And so for those researching African American roots, we also
(18:16):
offer guidance on using DNA to break through what we
all talk about, the brick walls of enslavement and and migration.
You know, it's it's not just about science, it's about storytelling.
It's about healing and also reclaiming history.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
All right, well, Lisa, thank you so very much.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
Hey, it's exciting. I think I want to take that
course too.
Speaker 6 (18:42):
We love to have you.
Speaker 3 (18:44):
Okay, so we're moving on to Angelo Walton Rogi now
folks to Freedman and an author, and she is the
first genealogist in the nation to speak and write about
records reflecting the Oklahoma Freedmen. In addition, she is only
(19:07):
the only professional genealogist in the country devoted to documenting
this unique history of African people in bondage from all
of the five tribes Cherokee, Choptaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole nations.
In addition, she focuses on the history affecting tribal freedmen
(19:33):
that occurred on the grounds of the National Historic Site
in nearby Fort Smith, Arkansas, including the almost forgotten Freedman's
Bureau that was in Fort Smith. Her work has made
her extremely knowledgeable about the early Black history of Fort Smith.
(19:57):
Her website, Arkansas Freedman of the Frontier, found on Arkansassfriedman
dot com, is devoted to Black history of the eighteen
hundreds and early nineteen hundreds of the city of Fort Smith.
She includes history of the first black marriages performed in
(20:20):
the city that occurred at the Fort Smith Freedman's Bureau.
The Black Union Army soldiers organized in the city, as
well as information on the black soldiers who patrolled the
city after the Civil War and folks. She is the
(20:41):
coordinator of the writing track Welcome Angela.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Why, thank you so much, Bernice. It is a joy
to be here and to talk about one of my
favorite topics and that is Maggie. So thank you for
having me a pleasure to be here.
Speaker 3 (21:00):
Well, I am really excited about this year because this.
Speaker 4 (21:05):
Track, this writing track.
Speaker 3 (21:07):
Will focus on assisting genealogists and telling their family story
and putting it into print.
Speaker 4 (21:15):
And so let's talk about this.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
What are the basic options for family historians to publish
a book?
Speaker 2 (21:25):
Well, you know, I think the answer to that question,
or the best answer, in my opinion, is to answer
this question. What grabs you. Are you fascinated with the
family's history and you found some unique women who've done
something that's just unheard of, that you had never heard of.
Are you perhaps intrigued by the fact that you have
(21:46):
an ancestor or more than one ancestor who served in
the Civil War or the War of eighteen twelve or
the American Revolution? Did you learn from your research that
perhaps you to send from free people of color. And
this was the fact that you did not know until
you started your research. Some individuals are quite intrigued with
(22:06):
how their ancestors made it through the slavery era. How
did they endure enslavement and what strategies did they use
to cope and how did they make it through those
difficult years after the war during the reconstruction period. And
others I know are intrigued because they discovered their family
had land. How did they get it? They didn't have
(22:28):
money or did they How were they able to obtain
land and hold onto it for more than one generation
or two? So basically, answer that question what grabs you?
Whatever grabs you, there's going to be your answer. That's
what I need to write about.
Speaker 3 (22:49):
Well, that's you know, you pretty much put some thoughts
in the air.
Speaker 4 (22:54):
What grabbed you?
Speaker 2 (22:56):
That's right.
Speaker 4 (22:57):
So what is.
Speaker 3 (22:58):
The best gendre of genealogists to consider?
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Well, of course, there are so many genres in literature
or in terms of books and the different categories in
which they fall. What do you like to read? Is
the question to answer. Do you like to read fiction? Well,
perhaps you want to write historical fiction, write the story
of your own family's journey through that period when you
(23:25):
find them on that earliest record up into the twentieth
or even the twenty first century. Do you like to
tell people your own story? If so, perhaps a memoir
might be the proper genre for you. At the same time,
there are others who excellent teachers. Perhaps you want to
(23:46):
teach others, and maybe a how to book? And you
might say, well, how to what? Well? How do I
manipulate the databases that are out there? Are there some
shortcuts that I can take to find more records on
sites such as family Search or ancestry or other websites
that are out there. So a how to book might
(24:09):
be something that would be really useful. Some individuals are
intrigued by the community where their ancestors lived. For example,
those who maybe are researching, let's say the freedmen of
the Five Tribes are in the case of my own family,
chok tav freedmen. Perhaps a book on that community where
they lived might be of interest to others who descend
(24:31):
from that same community, or perhaps free people of color
who lived in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, or individuals who
have just found something unique. Maybe they were enslaved by
the governor of the state of another of South Carolina
or Georgia, there's a story there to tell. So whatever
(24:52):
the genre that you select is really going to depend
really on partially what you like to read and also
what you find yourself really exposing yourself too in terms
of the types of records, and that will pretty much
become obvious to you after a while. I think I
need to write a book about this particular topic.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
So what will participants come away with by participating in
this track.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
Well, hopefully they're going to come away with three things.
Number one, they're going to come away with some ideas,
ideas on the numerous ways of documenting the family history.
Everybody does not have to try to write the next
sequel to Roots, but there are all kinds of ways
to write. There are blogs, There are newsletters, family newsletters,
(25:43):
community newsletters, maybe an organizational newsletter. There are also stories
or articles that individuals may wish to share in a
society's journal. Maybe something unique about an outstanding person who
became a leader, who became successful for whatever reason that
(26:04):
stood out and you want to talk about that for
others who have an interest in that community's history. So
that's one the idea is on the numerous avenues to
pursue Number two. Some individuals want to self publish. They're
not trying to, you know, try and get on the
New York Times bestseller list, but they want to just
publish a book, maybe for a small audience, maybe for
(26:27):
just individuals to be able to obtain at the next
family gathering of next family reunion. Well, they're going to
learn how to develop a template, and that's going to
be given to participants as well. Kathy Marshall's written several books,
and we're so excited that she's going to show people
the template that she uses and has used for several
(26:50):
of the books that she's written, stemming all stinding from
her own family's research. And thirdly, there are those who
really want to write the big book. And what I
mean by the big book? How do you approach a publisher,
whether it's a large publisher like Simon and Schuster or
whether it's a small local press or an independent publisher.
(27:11):
How do you write a proposal to a publisher that
will make them say, I want to pitch this to
our team and let's indeed help this person turn this
idea into a book. So they're going to learn how
to write. They're going to see more than one book
proposal that has been a successful proposal that has turned
(27:35):
into books, and they're going to come out and learn
in one of the classes how to write their own
proposal as well. So that will be one of the
exercises that they are going to have. So well, I'm
just so excited about that.
Speaker 3 (27:53):
For sure, I am too. Maybe we'll see some budding authors.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
I hope. So that is one of the goals by
all means that I have. I'm hoping some will just say,
you know, I've been thinking about it, but I feel
like I'm ready to try this. And that's certainly something
that is our goal and that's what we want to have.
And we have an exciting faculty alllined up to help
(28:18):
you go and start out on that journey to write
and to publish.
Speaker 3 (28:25):
And you know, there's something that people need to think about.
Why not write your own story? Yes, or somebody else
might write it for you would rather be the one
to write your own story.
Speaker 2 (28:39):
That's right, and I absolutely love that. And you know,
we have two courses that are actually actually three different classes.
Doctor Shelly Murphy's going to be talking about how to
preserve it heritage through storytelling, And of course I know
you have that wonderful experience that you're going to be
talking about exploring the just the steps of writing a
(29:02):
collaborative book, and oh my goodness. And many people do think, well,
I have a small story, but I know some other
people have a small story. Maybe we can work together
and collaborate on something. And of course we're going to
have Kathy Marshall's going to be talking about, of course,
(29:22):
how do you write your own family story. The audience
may be specifically your family or the local community from
which it comes, but oh my goodness, and of course
how do you self publish it? And of course I'm
so excited. Orris Jenkins is going to be showing us
how to take a unique event that changed the trajectory
(29:42):
of a family, somewhat of a tragic event, but it's
a story that needed to be told, and he wrote
a book about that. He's going to be sharing that
and how he was able to put that together and
put his proposal together. He has a book he's getting now.
It has any been a full year, I don't believe.
And he's getting accolades and speaking engagements from everywhere, so
(30:06):
We're just really really thrilled. Niko Sule Smith is going
to be talking about how do you assemble a book
for the family with interesting facts about the different generations,
what do they have in common, what's different, what stands out.
So it's something that's just going to be exciting and
(30:27):
I'm looking forward to it for sure.
Speaker 3 (30:29):
Well I hope that everyone will be looking forward to
becoming a part of the Maggie family this year.
Speaker 4 (30:37):
I just want to thank.
Speaker 3 (30:38):
Doctor Shelley Murphy, Lisa Fanning, and you Angela for coming
on today to share this valuable information about the Midwest
African American Genealogy Institute. Do you have any closing remarks
for us, Angela.
Speaker 2 (30:56):
Well, I would just simply say, you know what, go
take a look to our website, which is Maggie Institute
dot org. Maggie is spent in AAGI institute dot org
and take a look. Click on the tracks tab and
take a look and see what's being offered and consider
signing up. And in case you're maybe saying, oh gee,
(31:18):
I don't know if I can afford it, we'll apply
for one of the scholarships. There's a scholarship for each
of the tracks In addition to scholarships for the four tracks,
we have a fifth opportunity. Maybe you know someone who's
already applied for a scholarship, g I don't want to
interfere with they're possibly getting a scholarship. Well, there's a
fifth one also. This will be the first year the
(31:39):
Melvin Carrier Institute that will be available. You can choose
any track that you want. So it's something that is
an opportunity. We want you to come and to become
a part of the Maggie family. We hope to see
you this July. Come and join us. We are Maggie
(32:01):
the Teaching Institute.
Speaker 3 (32:03):
And the teaching Institute is virtual, yes it is, which
is exciting in and of itself, although you will still
have that wonderful, warm experience by meeting everyone, people from
all over the United States. And so this is a
great opportunity, folks. Maggie is July eighth, ninth, and tenth,
(32:26):
and so please sign up.
Speaker 4 (32:28):
Register is open. Do it now.
Speaker 3 (32:31):
Thank you so much Angela for those closing remarks, and
a special thanks to all of the listeners for tuning
in to Ancestors Footprints. If you enjoyed today's episode, be
sure to subscribe and share it with someone who loves
history and storytelling. Until next time, keep exploring, keep remembering,
(32:58):
keep telling the story, and keep walking in the footsteps
of those who came before us. This is your host,
Bernice Alexander Bennett, and please share this podcast with your
friends and colleagues. You can always find me on spreaker
dot com, Apple Podcast, Audacity, Amazon Music.
Speaker 4 (33:24):
And Mini more. Thank you so much,
Welcome to Ancestors Footprints with host Bernice Alexander Bennett, the
podcast where the Past comes alive. Whether you're a curious beginner,
an avid genealogist, or someone who believes that uncovering family
history is a lifelong journey, this show is for you.
(00:31):
With each episode, we'll bring you incredible stories, expert insights,
and practical tips to help you trace your roots and.
Speaker 2 (00:39):
Connect with your heritage. I've lined up passionate experts who
will not only share their knowledge and resources, but also
answer your most pressing genealogy questions. Together, we'll uncover the
hidden gems in your family's history and inspire you to
take the next step in your journey. Is it ready to.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
Explore, discovery and honor the footprints your ancestors left behind?
Speaker 2 (01:08):
Your story starts here.
Speaker 3 (01:11):
Welcome to Ancestors Footprints. I'm Bernice Alexander Bennett and today's
Epithy Friends. I'm Bernice Alexander Bennett and today's episode about
the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute. The Midwest African American
Genealogy Institute, known as MAGGIE, is an educational institute dedicated
(01:38):
to advancing African American genealogical research through structured in depth training.
Since its founding nearly thirteen years ago, Maggie has provided
a unique and immersive learning experience, bringing together researchers, historians,
(01:59):
and genialogy at all levels. I'm honored to have been
one of the founding directors and coordinator with the institute,
and joining me today are my esteem colleagues, doctor Shelley
Vola Murphy, Angela Walton Rogi, and Lisa Fanning, and they
(02:19):
will provide additional information about how you can become a
part of the Maggie Experience. Maggie's mission is to equip
family historians and genealogists with the knowledge, tools and methodologies
needed to effectively trace African American family history. Through specialized tracts,
(02:45):
expert led courses, and hands on workshops, Maggie addresses the
complexities of African American genealogy, including research challenges related to
slave migration and historical records.
Speaker 4 (03:04):
Not to mention DNA.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
The Institute fosters of supportive environment where participants gain valuable
research skills, collaborate with peers, and engage with leading professionals
in the field. So let me give a warm Welcome
to my guest today, and starting off this discussion is
(03:29):
doctor Shelley Viola Murphy. Doctor Shelley Murphy, also known as
Family Tree Girl. She is a genealogist and wears many
hats as the descendant project researcher for UVA Gibbons Project,
she works for the Center for the Family History International
(03:52):
African American Museum, and she coordinates genealogy education. Of course,
she's with MAT and she's also a board member for
the Library of Virginia and many more organizations.
Speaker 2 (04:08):
So let me just gibble warm.
Speaker 4 (04:10):
Welcome to Shelley Murphy.
Speaker 3 (04:13):
Shelley, welcome to the program.
Speaker 5 (04:15):
Hello to you, bernicean to the listeners. So happy to
be here, Thank you for having us.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
Oh girl, I am so excited. So let's just get started.
So you oversee two Maggie tracks, one focus on foundational
research strategies and another on slavery era research. So how
do these tracks complement each other and helping genealogists develop
(04:46):
both skills and historical understanding.
Speaker 5 (04:51):
Well, the first track, what you mentioned was the methods
and strategies that are somewhat the basics basic fundamental methods
and strategies. So folks would look at the type of
courses that we have, like time and foul management, how
to analyze, how to know about the law, like public
(05:14):
records and the law slavery and the law research in
the community gives you a strong foundation. Then you move
to the next track, which is also methods and strategies
for specifically slavery era research. So you're looking again at
the law, You're looking at reconstruction era records, the slave
(05:38):
ship manifests, as far as being able to examine them,
where to find them, and so much more. Folks will
get three days twelve classes that are packed and I
mean powerfully packed. So these first two tracks kind of
give a foundation of basis that will lead to the
(06:01):
other tracks. So it's just a great opportunity. Doesn't matter
what skilled people have, they are able to start with
these tracks and work their way through all of the
ones that we have offering each year.
Speaker 4 (06:16):
Sounds really exciting.
Speaker 3 (06:18):
So how do you know you're talking about these tracks?
But let's talk about some of the common challenges that
students bring to these tracks and how do your course
offerings help them overcome these barriers, especially when dealing with
brick walls or slavery era gaps.
Speaker 5 (06:41):
Well, we're going to have common challenges with African American research.
That could be the misspelling of names, access to records,
and some of the challenges is are being able to
know where the records are and how do you access them.
Two of the courses that we have in that first
(07:05):
track are looking at the community level, and so we
try to give a foundation that will conbat those challenges
that we know people are going to face. The instructors
have years and years of experience behind them as well
as the other tracks. So what this does is say,
(07:26):
you know what you got to know how to analyze
a record. A good way of doing that is to
analyze and build a timeline which keeps chronological order of
every movement or anything having to do with your ancestor.
And if you're looking in the slave era research, it's
(07:46):
also going to say you're going to track that slave
owner or how to find that owner. And then you've
got the law. You've got to consider what law was
in place at the time that you're researching in what state.
So I think it helps with the typical challenges again misspelling.
(08:07):
You know a lot of folks there's a myth out
there that there's no records prior to eighteen seventy that
people can't find their African American ancestors. You've got the
myth that they're in the challenge that you took on
your ancestors took on the slaveholder's surname, which is not
(08:28):
totally true. Only about fifteen percent per family surge took
on the slaveholder's name. So there's a lot of opportunities
that we teach give you ways of doing things, but
also tips and also some tricks from thirty twenty thirty
(08:49):
years to be able to combat some of those challenges.
So I think the way the courses are built out
helps people go from one stage to another.
Speaker 4 (09:00):
This sounds so exciting. It is.
Speaker 6 (09:04):
So.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
The faculty in both tracks include nationally recognized genealogists, legal scholars,
and historians. How do you create such a strong lineup
and what do you hope students take away from learning
with these experts.
Speaker 5 (09:22):
I have to go back to the foundation and over
thirty some years when I started, I didn't have a
good foundation of what to put in place, or how
to put things in place, even simply how to just
keep my files, how to organize them, or what do
I need to do. Typically, researchers, family historians are going
(09:46):
to say, you know what, the census is the first
go to. But again, there's so much more than just
a federal population census. Some people might not understand that
there's also a state census, and there could be other
records that go along with those type census records as
(10:07):
we call them. So looking at pulling in people that
have the expertise in the field. That gives a foundation.
And I'll use Judy Russell as an example. Public records
in the law. How can you research without knowing what
the law is telling you that has to happen, but
(10:27):
also the law tells you where the records could be
at and where they're being held. Who's collecting that information?
Or it could be Vicky McGill talking about doing that
community research. Exhaust that local level before you go on
the national or federal level. All of the records that
(10:48):
are online have been acquired from the local level, so
examining that community. Or it could be looking at colonial time.
Most of us did not get it exposed to colonial
type records until twenty some years into research. Other than
that we would have stayed in the eighteen hundreds. So
(11:09):
we've got Rick Murphy coming on and he will be
talking about, you know, tracing your roots in early America.
We got Renata Yarborough Sanders coming through, also looking at
free people of color in Antebellum South. So again, these
experts are there to help people look at what they're doing,
(11:35):
where they're doing at it, but also focusing on knocking
down those challenges. Now I want to say real quickly
a little bit about the slave era track. We've got
Tony Carrier, She's going to talk about the reconstruction records. Bernice,
you're going to be talking about the slave ship manifest
(11:57):
where they're at, what to do with them once.
Speaker 7 (11:59):
You have them?
Speaker 5 (12:01):
And Southern Claimed Commissions, what do you do with slave
runaway at how to find them? Nika Sewell Smith to
be coming on talking about a little bit of No
Stone on Turn. She will present case studies from the
last slaveholder. All of these provide a foundation that gets
(12:23):
you ready for that journey, because once you start, it's
a journey and it will last for years once you
get that genealogy bug. So I think we put together
a fabulous team of experts to teach and give that
foundational experience for a genealogical research gee.
Speaker 4 (12:45):
I think I want to take your course.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
You in, come on.
Speaker 5 (12:49):
It's a good one for experience or beginners, no matter
what you know.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
It's for both, it's for both. We thank you so much, Shelley.
I think you've pumped the audience up already, so let's
move on to Lisa Fanning. Lisa Fanning is the coordinator
for the DNA track. Now, let me tell you all
about Lisa. Lisa Fanning is a genealogist, a genetic genealogist,
(13:20):
a family historian, and she spent the last thirty years
folks unraveling the rich tapestry of her family's American history
in the South and the Midwest. As a genetic genealogist,
she's volunteered. She volunteers her expertise for groundbreaking initiatives such
(13:44):
as the DNA dough Project, the Tulsa Race Massacre DNA
Identification Project, and the DNA Search Squad, using DNA and
genealogy research to help identify the unidentified. She is an
(14:05):
elected member of the Board of Directors of the National
Genealogical Society and serves on the leadership team of the
Midwest African American Genealogy Institute.
Speaker 2 (14:20):
Welcome Lisa, Thank you Ernie.
Speaker 7 (14:23):
I'm so happy to be here. This is wonderful.
Speaker 4 (14:26):
I am too. So let's thought it.
Speaker 3 (14:29):
So we're saying, I'm curious about DNA and family history,
but maybe a little intimidated by the science. What makes
this DNA track a great starting point?
Speaker 7 (14:43):
Absolutely?
Speaker 6 (14:44):
You know, the DNA track is designed just for those folks.
If you've you know, taken a direct to consumer DNA
test like ancestry DNA or even twenty three and meters,
or you're just managing one for relative but don't quite
know what to do with those results yet, this track
(15:04):
will really be your next step, and you don't need
a science background. We really break things down in plain language.
Speaker 7 (15:15):
And walk you through the tools, the terms.
Speaker 6 (15:18):
And techniques that make genetic genealogy accessible and powerful. You know,
whether you're trying to trace your African ancestry, solve a
family mystery, or just understand the matches in your DNA account,
we meet you right where you are and help you
build confidence.
Speaker 4 (15:38):
That sounds so exciting.
Speaker 3 (15:40):
So for someone who's curious about DNA and family history
but maybe a little intimidated, as.
Speaker 4 (15:47):
I already asked you this question.
Speaker 3 (15:50):
You said, you don't have to be a science right,
so take about this course. So the course brings together
some incredibly respected names in genie and DNA research. Can
you tell us a little about the faculty and what
makes learning from them so special?
Speaker 6 (16:08):
Absolutely, Bernice, you know, our DNA faculty is a dream team.
You'll learn from renowned experts like Judy Russell.
Speaker 7 (16:18):
Shelley was talking about her.
Speaker 6 (16:20):
She's otherwise known as the legal genealogist. She's nationally known
for making privacy and ethics understandable and relevant.
Speaker 7 (16:30):
Also, again we have.
Speaker 6 (16:31):
Nika Soule Smith who brings unmatched experience. She can help
you connect African American DNA results.
Speaker 7 (16:40):
Back to Africa.
Speaker 6 (16:42):
Also again Renata Yarborough Sanders and Janice Lovelace. You know
they're incredible educators with a gift for making beginners fel
at ease while teaching advanced concepts.
Speaker 7 (16:55):
And then we have Emma macbeth.
Speaker 6 (16:58):
She brings really technical mastery, i would say, across all
of the major testing platforms, and she can help you
untangle unknown parentage parentage mysteries. And you know, these are
people who care deeply about helping others uncover and honor
their family stories, and they know how to teach it.
Speaker 3 (17:21):
All right, So how can someone expect their experience and
their research to change after taking the DNA track?
Speaker 6 (17:33):
You know, I would say this track is a game changer.
Most students walk away not only understanding their DNA results,
but also feeling empowered to use those results to answer
tough questions, you know, about their ancestry. You'll leave with
practical tools, which is really important for integrating your DNA
(17:55):
data with traditional genealogy that Shelley talked a lot about,
and also tips for organizing your research and insight into
you know, some things that you don't think about, like
emotional and ethical aspects that often come with family discoveries.
And so for those researching African American roots, we also
(18:16):
offer guidance on using DNA to break through what we
all talk about, the brick walls of enslavement and and migration.
You know, it's it's not just about science, it's about storytelling.
It's about healing and also reclaiming history.
Speaker 3 (18:34):
All right, well, Lisa, thank you so very much.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
Hey, it's exciting. I think I want to take that
course too.
Speaker 6 (18:42):
We love to have you.
Speaker 3 (18:44):
Okay, so we're moving on to Angelo Walton Rogi now
folks to Freedman and an author, and she is the
first genealogist in the nation to speak and write about
records reflecting the Oklahoma Freedmen. In addition, she is only
(19:07):
the only professional genealogist in the country devoted to documenting
this unique history of African people in bondage from all
of the five tribes Cherokee, Choptaw, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole nations.
In addition, she focuses on the history affecting tribal freedmen
(19:33):
that occurred on the grounds of the National Historic Site
in nearby Fort Smith, Arkansas, including the almost forgotten Freedman's
Bureau that was in Fort Smith. Her work has made
her extremely knowledgeable about the early Black history of Fort Smith.
(19:57):
Her website, Arkansas Freedman of the Frontier, found on Arkansassfriedman
dot com, is devoted to Black history of the eighteen
hundreds and early nineteen hundreds of the city of Fort Smith.
She includes history of the first black marriages performed in
(20:20):
the city that occurred at the Fort Smith Freedman's Bureau.
The Black Union Army soldiers organized in the city, as
well as information on the black soldiers who patrolled the
city after the Civil War and folks. She is the
(20:41):
coordinator of the writing track Welcome Angela.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Why, thank you so much, Bernice. It is a joy
to be here and to talk about one of my
favorite topics and that is Maggie. So thank you for
having me a pleasure to be here.
Speaker 3 (21:00):
Well, I am really excited about this year because this.
Speaker 4 (21:05):
Track, this writing track.
Speaker 3 (21:07):
Will focus on assisting genealogists and telling their family story
and putting it into print.
Speaker 4 (21:15):
And so let's talk about this.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
What are the basic options for family historians to publish
a book?
Speaker 2 (21:25):
Well, you know, I think the answer to that question,
or the best answer, in my opinion, is to answer
this question. What grabs you. Are you fascinated with the
family's history and you found some unique women who've done
something that's just unheard of, that you had never heard of.
Are you perhaps intrigued by the fact that you have
(21:46):
an ancestor or more than one ancestor who served in
the Civil War or the War of eighteen twelve or
the American Revolution? Did you learn from your research that
perhaps you to send from free people of color. And
this was the fact that you did not know until
you started your research. Some individuals are quite intrigued with
(22:06):
how their ancestors made it through the slavery era. How
did they endure enslavement and what strategies did they use
to cope and how did they make it through those
difficult years after the war during the reconstruction period. And
others I know are intrigued because they discovered their family
had land. How did they get it? They didn't have
(22:28):
money or did they How were they able to obtain
land and hold onto it for more than one generation
or two? So basically, answer that question what grabs you?
Whatever grabs you, there's going to be your answer. That's
what I need to write about.
Speaker 3 (22:49):
Well, that's you know, you pretty much put some thoughts
in the air.
Speaker 4 (22:54):
What grabbed you?
Speaker 2 (22:56):
That's right.
Speaker 4 (22:57):
So what is.
Speaker 3 (22:58):
The best gendre of genealogists to consider?
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Well, of course, there are so many genres in literature
or in terms of books and the different categories in
which they fall. What do you like to read? Is
the question to answer. Do you like to read fiction? Well,
perhaps you want to write historical fiction, write the story
of your own family's journey through that period when you
(23:25):
find them on that earliest record up into the twentieth
or even the twenty first century. Do you like to
tell people your own story? If so, perhaps a memoir
might be the proper genre for you. At the same time,
there are others who excellent teachers. Perhaps you want to
(23:46):
teach others, and maybe a how to book? And you
might say, well, how to what? Well? How do I
manipulate the databases that are out there? Are there some
shortcuts that I can take to find more records on
sites such as family Search or ancestry or other websites
that are out there. So a how to book might
(24:09):
be something that would be really useful. Some individuals are
intrigued by the community where their ancestors lived. For example,
those who maybe are researching, let's say the freedmen of
the Five Tribes are in the case of my own family,
chok tav freedmen. Perhaps a book on that community where
they lived might be of interest to others who descend
(24:31):
from that same community, or perhaps free people of color
who lived in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, or individuals who
have just found something unique. Maybe they were enslaved by
the governor of the state of another of South Carolina
or Georgia, there's a story there to tell. So whatever
(24:52):
the genre that you select is really going to depend
really on partially what you like to read and also
what you find yourself really exposing yourself too in terms
of the types of records, and that will pretty much
become obvious to you after a while. I think I
need to write a book about this particular topic.
Speaker 3 (25:15):
So what will participants come away with by participating in
this track.
Speaker 2 (25:22):
Well, hopefully they're going to come away with three things.
Number one, they're going to come away with some ideas,
ideas on the numerous ways of documenting the family history.
Everybody does not have to try to write the next
sequel to Roots, but there are all kinds of ways
to write. There are blogs, There are newsletters, family newsletters,
(25:43):
community newsletters, maybe an organizational newsletter. There are also stories
or articles that individuals may wish to share in a
society's journal. Maybe something unique about an outstanding person who
became a leader, who became successful for whatever reason that
(26:04):
stood out and you want to talk about that for
others who have an interest in that community's history. So
that's one the idea is on the numerous avenues to
pursue Number two. Some individuals want to self publish. They're
not trying to, you know, try and get on the
New York Times bestseller list, but they want to just
publish a book, maybe for a small audience, maybe for
(26:27):
just individuals to be able to obtain at the next
family gathering of next family reunion. Well, they're going to
learn how to develop a template, and that's going to
be given to participants as well. Kathy Marshall's written several books,
and we're so excited that she's going to show people
the template that she uses and has used for several
(26:50):
of the books that she's written, stemming all stinding from
her own family's research. And thirdly, there are those who
really want to write the big book. And what I
mean by the big book? How do you approach a publisher,
whether it's a large publisher like Simon and Schuster or
whether it's a small local press or an independent publisher.
(27:11):
How do you write a proposal to a publisher that
will make them say, I want to pitch this to
our team and let's indeed help this person turn this
idea into a book. So they're going to learn how
to write. They're going to see more than one book
proposal that has been a successful proposal that has turned
(27:35):
into books, and they're going to come out and learn
in one of the classes how to write their own
proposal as well. So that will be one of the
exercises that they are going to have. So well, I'm
just so excited about that.
Speaker 3 (27:53):
For sure, I am too. Maybe we'll see some budding authors.
Speaker 2 (27:58):
I hope. So that is one of the goals by
all means that I have. I'm hoping some will just say,
you know, I've been thinking about it, but I feel
like I'm ready to try this. And that's certainly something
that is our goal and that's what we want to have.
And we have an exciting faculty alllined up to help
(28:18):
you go and start out on that journey to write
and to publish.
Speaker 3 (28:25):
And you know, there's something that people need to think about.
Why not write your own story? Yes, or somebody else
might write it for you would rather be the one
to write your own story.
Speaker 2 (28:39):
That's right, and I absolutely love that. And you know,
we have two courses that are actually actually three different classes.
Doctor Shelly Murphy's going to be talking about how to
preserve it heritage through storytelling, And of course I know
you have that wonderful experience that you're going to be
talking about exploring the just the steps of writing a
(29:02):
collaborative book, and oh my goodness. And many people do think, well,
I have a small story, but I know some other
people have a small story. Maybe we can work together
and collaborate on something. And of course we're going to
have Kathy Marshall's going to be talking about, of course,
(29:22):
how do you write your own family story. The audience
may be specifically your family or the local community from
which it comes, but oh my goodness, and of course
how do you self publish it? And of course I'm
so excited. Orris Jenkins is going to be showing us
how to take a unique event that changed the trajectory
(29:42):
of a family, somewhat of a tragic event, but it's
a story that needed to be told, and he wrote
a book about that. He's going to be sharing that
and how he was able to put that together and
put his proposal together. He has a book he's getting now.
It has any been a full year, I don't believe.
And he's getting accolades and speaking engagements from everywhere, so
(30:06):
We're just really really thrilled. Niko Sule Smith is going
to be talking about how do you assemble a book
for the family with interesting facts about the different generations,
what do they have in common, what's different, what stands out.
So it's something that's just going to be exciting and
(30:27):
I'm looking forward to it for sure.
Speaker 3 (30:29):
Well I hope that everyone will be looking forward to
becoming a part of the Maggie family this year.
Speaker 4 (30:37):
I just want to thank.
Speaker 3 (30:38):
Doctor Shelley Murphy, Lisa Fanning, and you Angela for coming
on today to share this valuable information about the Midwest
African American Genealogy Institute. Do you have any closing remarks
for us, Angela.
Speaker 2 (30:56):
Well, I would just simply say, you know what, go
take a look to our website, which is Maggie Institute
dot org. Maggie is spent in AAGI institute dot org
and take a look. Click on the tracks tab and
take a look and see what's being offered and consider
signing up. And in case you're maybe saying, oh gee,
(31:18):
I don't know if I can afford it, we'll apply
for one of the scholarships. There's a scholarship for each
of the tracks In addition to scholarships for the four tracks,
we have a fifth opportunity. Maybe you know someone who's
already applied for a scholarship, g I don't want to
interfere with they're possibly getting a scholarship. Well, there's a
fifth one also. This will be the first year the
(31:39):
Melvin Carrier Institute that will be available. You can choose
any track that you want. So it's something that is
an opportunity. We want you to come and to become
a part of the Maggie family. We hope to see
you this July. Come and join us. We are Maggie
(32:01):
the Teaching Institute.
Speaker 3 (32:03):
And the teaching Institute is virtual, yes it is, which
is exciting in and of itself, although you will still
have that wonderful, warm experience by meeting everyone, people from
all over the United States. And so this is a
great opportunity, folks. Maggie is July eighth, ninth, and tenth,
(32:26):
and so please sign up.
Speaker 4 (32:28):
Register is open. Do it now.
Speaker 3 (32:31):
Thank you so much Angela for those closing remarks, and
a special thanks to all of the listeners for tuning
in to Ancestors Footprints. If you enjoyed today's episode, be
sure to subscribe and share it with someone who loves
history and storytelling. Until next time, keep exploring, keep remembering,
(32:58):
keep telling the story, and keep walking in the footsteps
of those who came before us. This is your host,
Bernice Alexander Bennett, and please share this podcast with your
friends and colleagues. You can always find me on spreaker
dot com, Apple Podcast, Audacity, Amazon Music.
Speaker 4 (33:24):
And Mini more. Thank you so much,
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