The Roots That Bind,
an African American
Genealogy Workshop
Pursuing your family history can be a labor of love that has
its just reward. The first steps or challenges for anyone pursuing
family history are to learn what resources are available, determine
how to access these resources and ascertain what research strategies
can be followed to ensure results.
Beyond these initial steps, African-Americans are faced with
some unique research challenges. This includes determining if
their descendants were freedmen or slaves. Family lore or tradition
is sometimes misleading in this respect. They also must deal
with records that may only paint a portrait of the life of their
ancestor, instead of revealing complete biographical information.
If their ancestors were slaves, determining the identity of
the slaveholder is of vital importance in the discovery process.
Searching for descendents whose surnames may have changed numerous
times in the years immediately following the Civil War can be
a daunting task.
In order to help those interested in pursuing their African-American
ancestors, the Waco -McLennan County Library in cooperation
with the Friends of the East Waco Library and the Central Texas
Genealogical Society is sponsoring "The Roots that Bind, an
African American Genealogy Workshop" on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009,
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the East Waco Library, 901 Elm Ave.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
Donald Payton, historian and President of the African American
Genealogy Interest Group of the Dallas Genealogical Society,
will cover the basics for getting started, techniques for gathering
information, resources for research and outline search strategies
utilized in African American family history research.
Leon Martin, professional genealogist will present "Heading
to the Courthouse : Deed, Probate and other Records of Genealogical
Interest". Mr Martin will help us prepare to do research at
the local courthouse and explore with us some of the most common
county records as well as many others of interest to family
historians. Throughout the day local family historians - James
Elliott, Evelyn Garfield and Mary Evans will share their stories.
Aaron Holt from the Southwest Regional Archives, NARA will outline
what specific record resources for African American research
are held by the National Archives, what you are likely to find
and how to access these records.
Lois E. Myers, Associate Director of the Institute for Oral
History and Senior Lecturer at Baylor University will present
"Oral Tradition: Pass it On." Myers will offer instruction in
exploring and recording oral traditions and family history to
preserve the legacy of the past for future generations. For
more information or to RSVP contact Bill Buckner at 254-750-5945.
Other Related Links:
Agenda l
Guest Bios
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Children's Storytimes
Tuesdays at 10:30
Movie Day
3-5 pm
on the 3rd Saturday of the month.
The next movie is Feb. 21,
The Secret Life of Bees
Game Day
Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Spring Break Activities
Game Day on Wednesday, March 11 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Movie Day on Thursday, March 12 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Space Buddies
Light refreshments will be provided
African Americans:
Cover to Cover
Presented by Natalie Jones
Hear the stories of infamous African Americans whose images are
displayed in a sequence of blocks making a beautiful quilt full
of conversations, if pictures could talk
February 27, 2009
11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
East Waco Library Meeting Room
Visit the East Waco Library's Special Collections:
The African American collection contains
reference books, children's and teen books, adult nonfiction and
fiction books, and movies and audio books.
The audio book collection has many best sellers,
favorite authors and African-American writers as well. Some African
American writers include Eric Jerome Dickey, Walter Mosley, E.
Lynn Harris, and Omar Tyree.
Many of the latest Grammy winners and current popular
artists are included in the music CD collection with an
emphasis on African American artists including rap, jazz, R&B,
and others. Some African American musical artists include Wu Tang,
Louis Armstrong, MosDef, John Lee Hooker, and Babyface.
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Doris Miller was born in Waco on October 12, 1919.
He was a fullback at Waco's Moore High School. He left the family
farm to enlist in the U.S. Navy on Sept. 16, 1939.
On December 7, 1941 he was a Mess attendant, Second
Class on the USS West Virginia when the attack on Pearl Harbor
began. He responded to the General Quarters Alarm by racing to
his battle station, only to discover that the anti-aircraft battery
magazine had been rendered useless by a torpedo hit. He hurried
topside where he put himself in harm's way assisting his mortally
wounded Commanding Officer to a place of safety. He then manned
a machine gun and opened fire on enemy aircraft. After 15 minutes,
in which he possibly shot down one enemy plane, he was ordered
to leave the bridge and abandon ship.
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For his actions, Miller was awarded the Navy Cross.
He was the first African-American ever to receive this award.
Miller was killed later in the war when the ship he was assigned
to, the USS Lisscome, was sunk by enemy torpedo fire.
On June 5, 2001 the City of Waco issued a proclamation,
officially supporting the campaign to have Doris Miller awarded
a Congressional Medal of Honor.
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