Ancestor's Footprints

Letters From Edgar’s Trunk is a fascinating account of Black civilian life in rural Virginia during World War I as reflected in letters between James Edgar Thornton, his family and friends. This collection of letters not only captures the vibrations of everyday Black life during wartime, but also discloses the continuing reality of civilian existence in America, in contrast to the terror of war in Europe. While the absence of details of military life among soldiers in America and Europe may reflect the imposition of wartime security measures and censorship, Edgar’s Letters reflect a deeper concern for the family, which may suffer in his absence than for any personal peril his military service may impose. Marilyn Thornton holds a Masters Degree in fine Arts from Catholic University of America. She was Assistant Professor for Art at the University of Eastern Shore. Her interest in family history and discovery of Edgar's letters motivated her to compile Letters from Edgar's Trunk.

Join Genealogist Judy Riffel and Patricia Bayonne-Johnson- a descendant of one of the Georgetown slaves for a discussion of the Georgetown Memory project. The Georgetown slaves were unusual in two ways, according to Georgetown Memory Project Founder Richard Cellini. First, they were baptized by Jesuits and kept the faith; second, they had both first and last names, whereas most slaves only had one name. During her search, the last name Butler stood out to Bayonne-Johnson. Judy Riffel is a professional genealogist with over thirty-five years experience. Based in Baton Rouge, she specializes in Louisiana records and research. Judy has done genealogical and historical research for numerous television shows and documentaries. Her work has appeared on Who Do You Think You Are?, Finding Your Roots, Genealogy Roadshow, The Dead Files, and Killer Profile. She is the lead genealogist in the Georgetown Memory Project Patricia Bayonne-Johnson, a 75-year-old retired biology teacher lives in Spokane, Wash., after growing up in New Orleans and living for 40 years in the San Francisco Bay Area. Today, she volunteers and travels — and in her spare time, researches her past.

History has always been a favorite subject for Erwin, and his genealogy research made it possible for him to be interviewed live by Bryant Gumble on the Friday July 3, 1993 “Today Show.” He has been featured in the Wilmington News Journal in 1996, regarding the history of his family and a memorial service for his great grandfather Thomas Elzey Polk Sr. a 9th Cavalry Regiment soldier (a Buffalo Soldier). He has been interviewed for another News Journal Article for the Sunday August 16, 2009 edition regarding a celebration of 200 years of Freedom in the United States by his Polk Ancestors. Erwin Polk is constantly working on genealogy projects and in 1997 made a break through in discovering the ancestors of a childhood friend and neighbor also named Polk. His findings which started from the name of a Northwestern Pennsylvania town and the name of one person has taken the research back to 1825 Delaware and numerous stories about the Underground Railroad and escapes from slavery. Erwin’s genealogy and historical research projects have included many states such as: North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Texas, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Illinois. He has also researched information from England, Trinidad, Canada, Grenada, Poland and Germany at various times. Thomas Elzey Polk, Sr. the oldest son of Morris and Rebecca Black Polk, served in the United States 9th Cavalry Regiment Company C, from 1882 until 1892. He was a Buffalo Soldier in the Indian Territory of the West and earned the rank of sergeant during both of his enlistments. Thomas Polk earned a pension for his ten years of service in the Indian Territories.

Have you had your DNA tested and don't know what to do or say to your newly discovered relatives? Corresponding and conversing with unknown relatives found via DNA testing can present family members and genealogists with as many challenges as opportunities. Learn how to initiate a fruitful dialogue, double response rates, and clear a path to genealogical discovery with these tried-and-true communication techniques. Join Shannon Christmas to discuss what you may need to say and do to take your DNA results to the next level. Communications is key to getting the answers to many of your DNA question

Join Queen Mother Dr. Delois Blakely for a conversation about why individuals of African descent should return to the continent of Africa to reclaim and embrace their African Heritage. Queen Mother Dr. Delois Blakely champions the aspirations of women, youth, education, economic-social development and community relations. Queen Mother Dr. Delois Blakely graduated from the Franciscan Handmaids of Mary College in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Religious Studies. She has received numerous honors as a Community Fellow (1981-82) at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), an Education Policy Fellow (1982-83) of the International Education Leadership (IEL), a Fulbright Scholar in Tanzania and Nigeria (1984-85); Master of Education Degrees from Harvard University (1982), Teachers College and Columbia University (1983) and a Doctorate of Education Degree from Teachers College (1990).   Opening Music: Sweet Mellow Spice by AK Alexander Productions, Inc.