Letters from Edgar's Trunk with Marilyn Elizabeth Thornton

06/24/16 • 54 min

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.

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So What Will Come Tomorrow? with Dr. Shelley Murphy

Have you searched for records and finally found that special person you have been looking for? So what? What does the record tell you? Is this all that you need? Join Dr. Shelley Murphy, aka "familytreegirl" for a discussion on the "SO WHAT" concept? "So What" is a concept used in the Midwestern African American Genealogy Institute to help analyze genealogical records and resources. The goal is to question the value of the evidence and plan the path to new leads and discoveries. Shelley Murphy, aka "familytreegirl" is a native of Michigan. Shelley has been an avid genealogist for over 25 years researching the Davis, Marsh, Goens/Goins/Goings, Roper, Boyer, Worden, Cureton, & Murphy, etc. family lines. She attends and presents at local and national conferences and currently works for a nonprofit and serves as adjunct faculty at Averett University. In addition, Shelley is a founding member and current President of the Afro-American Historical Genealogical Society Chapter of Central Virginia.
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Pension Files of African Americans in the War of 1812 - Sharon Batiste Gillins

Pension Files of African Americans in the War of 1812 We are natives of this country; we ask only to be treated as well as foreigners. Not a few of our fathers suffered and bled to purchase its independence; we ask only to be treated as well as those who fought against it. We have toiled to cultivate it, and to raise it to its present prosperous condition; we ask only to share equal privileges with those who come from distant lands to enjoy the fruits of our labor. Rev. Peter Williams, Jr. African American Episcopal Priest 1786 - 1840 Genealogist Sharon Batiste Gillins will share the following information concerning African Americans in the War of 1812 files: Identifying the primary geographic regions in which battles of the War of 1812 were fought. Describing post-war benefits of service and related legislation. Accessing the record groups that contain pension and bounty land claims: Describing the United States War of 1812 Index to Pension Application Files, 1812-1910 (M313) Describing the War of 1812 Pension Application Files (RG 15) War of 1812 Military Bounty Land Warrants Sharon Batiste Gillins is a native of Galveston, Texas with paternal ancestral roots in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana and maternal roots in Fort Bend County, Texas. A life-long interest in her family's history led to an active involvement in genealogical research over the past 25 years. Her career spans 40 years in education, recently retiring as Associate Professor at Riverside Community College. Ms. Gillins is a Research Associate at the Mary Moody Northen Endowment in Galveston, Texas where she is responsible for the Moody family and business archive of manuscripts and photographs that date to the early 1800s.
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