{Genealogia Norte} 2026 African American Family History Conference in February

'Discover Your Roots XI' to be held in historic LDS meetinghouse

By Kathy Bence

 

LOS ANGELES, CALIF.

While February is African American History Month, March will be the month some African Americans in Southern California focus on their own history.

The 11th annual African American Family History Conference, Discover Your Roots XI, will be held March 9 in the Church's historic chapel located at 1209 S. Manhattan Place in Los Angeles. Both beginners and experts tracing their family trees will find workshops geared to their individual abilities, according to Alma Bailey, organizer of the event.

"We'll be fortunate to have Aaron L. Day, a long-time genealogist and family historian, give the keynote address and there will be an additional 21 other outstanding teachers for a wide variety of workshops," she said.

Marcie Ambrose, Campus Facility Coordinator for Pasadena City College, has been researching her family history for more than two decades.

"Researching and finding my ancestors is not a short-term project. I am committed to doing the research and my commitment has been rewarded with fabulous finds," she said.

"The African American genealogy conferences have helped to reinforce my enthusiasm and have given me additional tools to use."

Sister Ambrose explained that her main motivation for pursuing her family history is building a legacy for her children and grandchildren.

"At a time when many teenagers and young adults struggle to find direction, it can help them to learn of the foundation built by their ancestors and how they can continue to build on those foundations, passing the legacy on to future generations," she said.

"Young people want to understand who they are and where they came from. They need to know the sacrifices that have been made in their behalf by ancestors just a few generations back."

Marcie Ambrose with grandchildren: Michael Ambrose, DeVaughn Garay, Gabriel Ambrose, Joel Ambrose and Nala Jean Garay. She has been researching her family history for two decades and looks forward to the upcoming genealogy conference.

Sister Bailey spoke of the challenges in the past as African Americans endeavored to research their family history. She explained that frequently when people of African American descent attempted to research their family history, they hit roadblocks because many families were separated due to slavery. Also, accurate records were not always kept for slaves, but today there are extensive genealogical records available and African American families can locate lost family members and discover their heritage.

Sister Ambrose said she was fortunate that her family talked about their history. They knew they came from the Georgia plantation of Confederate General John Brown Gordon. Additionally, the daughter of the general wrote a manuscript of the white Gordons and the black Gordons.

Sarah Gordon remained on a Georgia plantation after the Civil War and moved to Riverside, Calif., around 1904.

Henry Bradley Gordon, in the early 1900s, became first African American police officer in Riverside, Calif.

"My great-uncle and the daughter of the general corresponded by letters in the late 1940s, both inquiring about each others' family," she said. "These letters are prized possessions."

Sister Ambrose said that even with this information, there were still roadblocks and the African American Family History conferences provided direction so she could continue her efforts."From 'Genealogy Basics for Beginners' to 'Using DNA testing to Discover your Roots,' I'm certain that those who attend this conference will take away a wealth of information, as I have in the past, which will help them in their research," she said.

Other topics include US Civil War Pensions; Family Tree Sources and Cloud Storage; and Blogging Your Family History

The African American Historical Society of Long Beach, the California African American Genealogical Society, the Pasadena Area African American Genealogical Society, the San Diego African American Genealogical Society, and the Church are working together to make this event possible.

For more information visit discoveryourroots.org

http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/63177/African-American-Family-History-Conference.html

 

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(desde mi Blackberry )

Benicio Samuel Sanchez
Genealogista e Historiador Familiar

Email: samuelsanchez@genealogia.org.mx
Website: http://www.Genealogia.org.mx
Oficina (0181) 8393 0011 (from USA 01152+81+8393 0011)
Celular 811+513+8354 (from USA 01152+181+1513 8354)
Skype: Genealogia.org.mx

"Haz tu Arbol Genealogico...El Arbol mas Hermoso de la Creacion"
Por medio de la historia familiar descubrimos el árbol más hermoso de la creación: nuestro árbol genealógico. Sus numerosas raíces se remontan a la historia y sus ramas se extienden a través de la eternidad. La historia familiar es la expresión extensiva del amor eterno; nace de la abnegación y provee la oportunidad de asegurarse para siempre una unidad familiar".
(Élder J. Richard Clarke, Liahona julio de 1989, pág.69)

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