By: Robin R. Foster
Apr 11, 2024
The Ask an Expert series features Q + A’s with people who are experts in a particular field or who have a depth of knowledge around historic preservation. We ask experts a variety of short answer questions and ask for their advice to Black preservation projects and leaders.
Would you be willing to be featured as an expert? Send us an email here.
| Q: Introduce yourself! Tell us a little about you. How did you get started in your field? |
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| In 1985, I was granted the privilege of learning how to trace my own relatives. From 2007-2014, I served as a FamilySearch Missionary. I am jointly responsible for founding Genealogy Just Ask, LLC, which can be found at www.genealogyjustask.com. On December 27, 2022, I had the honor of being a featured guest on “Genealogy Quick Start,” discussing my topic “Catching Clues from an Obituary to the Underground Railroad.” The link can be found here: https://bit.ly/3VQrIPu. Then on June 17, 2023, I presented for the UCCRP Juneteenth Celebration in Union, South Carolina as a South Carolina Humanities grant funded guest speaker. In August 2023, Allison Garner Kotter reviewed my book, “My Best Genealogy Tips: Finding Formerly Enslaved Ancestors,” in the Crossroads Journal, a publication by the Utah Genealogical Association. She said that it “gives amazing examples and tips for multiple research strategies specific to researching formerly enslaved ancestors.” I presented at the Charleston, SC FamilySearch – “Genealogy University: Come and Learn, Go and Search” where I presented Freedom Records, WPA Slave Narratives, and the FamilySearch’s Research Wiki. |
| Q: What kind of projects have you worked on? |
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| I have participated with the UCCRP Research/History Committee. I have written blog posts. I researched the African Americans that were lynched..I worked on finding Fairview Cemetery burials in Greenwood, SC. We found over 800 burials. They are now on Find-A-Grave. The descendants ask me for obituaries and death certificates when they email me.I worked on the Jamestown project owned by Terry James. I found pertinent historical records. I even found Black ancestors before 1865 in the Darlington Museum in the church records. |
| Q: How does your work in genealogy intersect with preserving Black historic spaces? |
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| The patron has lasting experience because we find historical records that relate to Black historic spaces. Genealogy not only connects people but also connects people to places and locations. Genealogy can help tell a more full and complete story of a Black historic place. |
| Q: What do African American preservation projects and leaders need to know about genealogy? |
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| The African Americans who know their genealogy and oral history will appreciate coming to preserved Black historic spaces. These patrons need assistance with starting a family tree. That can be accomplished by going to FamilySearch.org. That site is always free. They can learn how to find historical records. All they have to do is go to the Research Wiki at FamilySearch.org. They can look for resources in the area where their ancestors lived. This is very important. Most patrons do not know how to do their family history. The professional will not teach them. We at Genealogy Just Ask teach them how to find their ancestors. This becomes their own experience. |
| Q: If someone asked for your advice on the first step they should take in genealogy for their historic preservation project – what would you say? |
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| I would tell them to reach out to the community. Have a place where they can come together regularly. Together they can put together the oral history and assist each other with their family history. |
| Q: What is the first thing you tell people who are new to doing genealogy research? |
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| Have you asked your relatives’ friends for any photos, stories, or documents? Take out your phone and record. Some of it can be added to FamilySearch.org (if it is your family) and the Black historic spaces. |
| Q: How do you get more people to be involved? |
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| One idea is to reach out to the people not living in the area. They have ancestors who were from the community. You will be surprised how many will participate. |