A complimentary copy of portions of an e-book written by First Cousins Dr. Ann Wead Kimbrough and Mark S. Owen, MS
Awaiting Final Editing and Proof from Publisher.
It is not legal to reproduce, duplicate, or transmit any part of this document in either electronic means or printed format. Recording of this publication is strictly prohibited.
This book is dedicated to our collective family. The winding, twisting, inspiring, troubling, confusing, and often rewarding stories from our family have inspired us –
first cousins, maternal side – and we now present our first joint work.
The book is primarily written by Ann with help from Cousin Mark.
Thank you, ancestors and living family for giving us life.
Mark (in memory of Mom Lyla Owen) Owen
and
Ann Lineve (in honor of Lyla’s oldest sister and my Mom, Angeline Owen) Wead
January 20, 2021
Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
Part I: Out of Our Gloomy Past
Slavery’s Impact Upon Black Genealogical Research ……………………………………………………………………. 6
Pre- and Post-Civil War Searches ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
Making the most of “Brick Walls” ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 9
Mental, Psychological, Spiritual Walls ………………………………………………………………………………………. 10
Find a Way or Make One ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 15
Treasure Hunts ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 16
“Use What You Got” ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 18
1930 United States Federal Census …………………………………………………………………………………………… 34
Questions to get you started with family history interviews …………………………………………………………… 44
Childhood …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 44
Marriage ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 44
Parents and Family …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 45
Holidays and Celebrations ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 45
Major and Historical Events …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 45
Part II: The Workbook – The Game Changers in Black Genealogy
Sharing Your Story ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 46
Top Black Genealogy Sources …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 48
Other resources ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 50
Hidden Figures in Your Family – House Hunting ………………………………………………………………………… 58
Introduction
Thank you for investing in your future by learning tried-and-true techniques that will help to unlock your family’s rich history.
The goal of this e-book is to help you efficiently navigate through the challenging and lengthy genealogy searches for African American ancestors. Patience is a virtue for researchers on this journey. The intriguing stories about our ancestors who overcame huge obstacles to allow us to thrive will surely inspire you as a researcher.
It is a good time to be a researcher of African American genealogy. When I restarted my interest in family genealogy, it was 2007 and the African American genealogical records were limited. Nearly 15 years later, an abundance of materials is available through government websites, Internet links and private sources that include professional genealogy researchers.
African American genealogy discoveries typically include Native American, European and sometimes, West Indian or Afro-American. My cousin and genealogy collaborator, Mark Owen, recognized that our family composition fits the typical African American bloodline. Our family also share a common tortured history as that of our African American and to a lesser extent, Afro-Caribbean brethren and that is explained in one word: Slavery.