31 January 2016

African-American Family History Program


The Beaufort District Collection (BDC) commemorates Black History Month with a special family history presentation on Saturday, February 6th beginning at 1 pm.

Be inspired! Experienced researchers Kimberly Morgan and Akosua Moore have had a banner year. A year ago they introduced us to Stephen Binyard and some of his many descendants. Since then the Edgerly Cemetery (where Stephen is buried) has gotten an historic marker with the full cooperation of the Marine Corps Air Station administration. AND they've played in the family history sandbox with the Big Boys. Dr. Skip Gates and the TV production company of Finding Your Roots were thrilled with the independent research they recently completed for a Finding Your Roots live event  [unfortunately, not televised or recorded for televising.] As Akosua put on her Facebook account:
"When a producer of your favorite show sends this in an email...."We had a call with Dr. Gates last night and thought you would both like to know that he was really impressed with the research. : ) ..." Kaboom!!!." 

On Saturday, Feb. 6th,  they update what they’ve learned about a former slave and his many descendants through family lore, government records, and library materials. They offer tips to help you get started uncovering your own roots. 
It is satisfying to know that our resources provided the impetus for a young woman to learn even more.  She came in asking about a lonely grave she stumbled upon near the Bachelor Officers Quarters at the Air Station in 2004 and came to our Research Room hoping to discover something about Stephen Binyard. She found this very terse obituary card in our files:


But it was enough to fuel her interest and oh! the places she's gone tracking down documents about this man and his descendants over the past 12 years.  


Trust me on this one, folks. Anyone who is interested in Black History, Civil War History, Reconstruction History, or Beaufort County's Local History will enjoy this program. The program is free but space is indeed limited. First come, first seated. Doors to our area on the 2nd floor, 311 Scott Street will open at 12:30 pm. Please join us.

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