Research at the National Archives and Beyond

Join Andi Cumbo-Floyd is a writer, historian, and editor who lives at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains with her husband, 4 cats, 4 dogs, 6 goats, and 28 chickens. Her books include The Slaves Have Names, Steele Secrets, and Charlotte and the Twelve. A teen with a secret. A decades-old murder. Their past could change her future... Mary Steele never saw the ghosts coming. When the spunky, brilliant teen finds 13 ghosts in an abandoned school, she didn’t expect them to start a conversation with her. It turns out, the baker’s dozen consists of a schoolteacher and 12 students who were killed in the 1950s. And Mary may be the only one who can set them free... Charged with caring for their stories, Mary must face her fears to piece together what happened to these 13 souls. As she encounters resistance and prejudice, the teen learns that it sometimes takes more than a little courage to change the world. Can Mary save the school and its ghostly inhabitants? Charlotte and the Twelve is historical fiction for adults and young adults alike.

Their lives have changed since learning about their families involvement in the 1838 sale of 272 enslave men, women and children by the priests of Georgetown University. Karran's husband is a descendant of Nace and Bibby Butler and, Patrick and Letty Hawkins, two of the largest families among the GU272. Sandra Green Thomas is a descendant of Sam and Betsy Harris. Recently, Sandra has learned through DNA that she and Karran’s husband are cousins. Karran Harper Royal is the Executive Director of the Georgetown University 272 Descendants Association (GU272) and married to Kenneth Royal. Kenneth’s father Leonard Royal grew up in Maringouin, Louisiana. Sandra Green Thomas has a wealth of family history that has been passed down to her by family members and has been with the organizing group of the GU272 Descendants Association since it's beginning.

Join Producer and Host Bernice Alexander Bennett to Celebrate 5 years of broadcasting on Blogtalkradio. Former guest will share their insights on genealogical research. I got my start as a broadcaster under the tutelage of Antoinette Harrell – Producer and Host of Nurturing Our Roots Blogtalkradio. I spent two months broadcasting on the Nurturing Our Roots show and my first guest was Melvin J. Collier, author of Mississippi to Africa and 150 Years Later Broken Ties Mended. Research at the National Archives and Beyond! Blogtalkradio first aired on November 4, 2011 with guest Lieutenant Commander Michael N. Henderson, U.S. Navy Retired. The show opened with the theme song Sweet Mello Spice by AK Alexander Productions. Valencia King Nelson and B.J. Smothers of Afrigeneas.com provided the first sponsorship for the broadcast. With no additional sponsors, my commitment to genealogy and history was then self - supported. With 265 episodes, Research at the National Archives and Beyond! Blogtalkradio offered numerous authors, historians, genealogist, genetics genealogist, storytellers, film producers, and others the opportunity to share their passion on my show. Many of my shows have been featured on the Blogtalkradio show homepage and the Popular in History section for live broadcast. This show is also available as a podcast on itunes.com, Stitcher.com, Tunein.com, Podcast.com and Podfanatic.com. Individuals interested in supporting this show can click the donation button at www.geniebroots.com.

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.

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.