Ancestor's Footprints with Bernice Alexander Bennett

Kathy Lynn Marshall, author of "Finding Grammie' Secrets," shares her journey to uncover the untold story of her great-grandmother, Ella Roy, known as Grammy Carter. Born in 1866 in Alexandria, Virginia, Grammie was remembered for her elegance and caring nature but remained silent about her past, leaving generations curious about her experiences and wealth. When Kathy's mother received a medical diagnosis, they embarked on a race against time to discover Grammy's secrets, leading to a deeper understanding of her life and legacy. Kathy emphasizes her role as a genealogical detective, bringing forgotten women and African Americans into the historical narrative through...

America's Forgotten Patriots of the Northern Theater shines a light on the overlooked heroes who fought for independence in the shadows of the Revolutionary War’s northern campaigns. From the rugged battlefields of Saratoga to the icy marches through New England, this compelling narrative uncovers the lives of the diverse and courageous individuals—American men, women and children of African and Indigenous descent who served in the Continental Army and in local militias—whose sacrifices were critical to the American cause but were left out of traditional histories. Drawing on rare documents, firsthand accounts, and recent scholarship, this book res...

In Becoming Trustworthy White Allies, Melanie S. Morrison brings together essays, lectures, and real-life stories drawn from her decades of anti-racist work. With honesty and care, she names the challenges white people face on the path to allyship—and the practices that make genuine partnership possible: moving through shame and guilt, building accountable relationships with people of color, unearthing suppressed ancestral stories, stepping out of social segregation, taking action to dismantle systemic racism, and rooting the work in cross-racial collaboration. This is a guide not for quick fixes but for lifelong commitment—inviting white people to show up with...

From Fragments to Foundation: Uncovering a Buried History of Tragedy and Triumph

 The challenges and stories of the family’s past existed only in scattered fragments—few names, little memories, whispered speculations, and family tragedies. For author Melvin J. Collier, the mystery of his paternal lineage became a lifelong quest, one that would lead him through mounds of records, across centuries, and deep into the genetic code itself. Determined to “leave no stone unturned,” Collier embarked on an exhaustive search to piece together the buried history of his father’s great-grandfather, John “Jack” Bass—a brave Civil War soldier...

Without Fear tells how, during American history, Black women made human rights theirs: from worldwide travel and public advocacy in the global Black press to their work for the United Nations, they courageously and effectively moved human rights beyond an esoteric concept to an active, organizing principle.
 
Acclaimed historian Keisha N. Blain tells the story of these women—from the well-known, like Ida B. Wells, Madam C. J. Walker, and Lena Horne, to those who are still less known, including Pearl Sherrod, Aretha McKinley, and Marguerite Cartwright. Blain captures human rights thinking and activism from the grou...

The Early County Massacre has been known as the “Grandison Goolsby War” for over a century, focusing on the events of December 30, 1915, when forty-six-year-old Grandison used gunfire to defend himself from a lynching mob. Lesser known is that the incident started two days earlier when Grandison’s son was attacked on his way to a wedding and that it all led to the Supreme Court of Georgia sending that same son to death row five years later. Author Orice Jenkins tells the full story of Ulysses Goolsby and the massacre more than one hundred years later, highlighting the relati...

Reflections on Sarah Rector

Her name was Sarah Rector.  She was a young black girl born in Indian Territory on March 3, 1902.  Her parents were Joseph and Rose Rector, all of  Taft, Indian Territory. Her story is similar to that of Danny Tucker another black child born in Indian Territory. He, like Sarah had a humble beginning, and he, like Sarah would make headlines for sudden wealth acquired by oil rich land.

Early in her young life, Sarah received a land allotment like all who were members of the Creek Nation. Like thousands of blacks onc...

Reconnecting Creole of Color Lineages in Southwest Louisiana

How do Creole of color families in Southwest Louisiana rediscover and reconnect their shared histories? In this episode, my guest Alex D. Lee guides listeners through community-driven methods for tracing lineage—blending DNA results with courthouse and notarial records, oral histories, and collective memory. Together, we explore the first steps families can take to begin their search, how to navigate challenges like name changes and migration, and how collaboration within communities can transform research outcomes. We also reflect on the ethics of sharing stories that reveal painful truths ab...

The Sound of What's Not Said

When a descendant of an enslaved person reaches out to the family of the enslaver and receives no reply, what does that silence mean?
Is the descendant of the enslaver obligated to respond—and if so, how?
Does silence protect, deny, or refuse?
Can healing happen without acknowledgment?

The Sound of What’s Not Said invites us to confront the weight of silence between descendants of the enslaved and enslavers—and to consider what reconciliation requires when one side chooses not to speak.

Charles F. Holman...

Today’s episode is featuring Frederick Murphy of History Before Us.

Frederick Murphy is a Filmmaker, Documentarian, Traveling Storyteller, Preserver of History and Mental Health Therapist. 

Frederick Murphy has dedicated his career to exploring the intricacies of race and culture in America through a compelling and evocative lens. His work delves deeply into communities of color experiences, shedding light on historical and contemporary issues of racial identity, social justice, and cultural heritage. With a keen eye for storytelling and a commitment to authentic representation, Murphy's films provide a nuanced perspective on the struggles and triumphs of mar...

They Had Names:A Digital Archive

Looking for enslaved or free ancestors in coastal Georgia? The TheyHadNames.net digital project has transformed thousands of Liberty County probate records, deeds, and court cases from 1786-1865 into a searchable database—revealing individual names and stories of enslaved people rather than just property listings. Whether your roots trace to coastal Georgia or anywhere else in the South, the They Had Names project demonstrates specific record types and research strategies that help break through those stubborn family history roadblocks. 

Stacy Ashmore Cole created the award-winning "They Had Names" digital project in 20...

Today's episode will focus on the Creek Freedmen, News from Oklahoma with Angela Walton-Raji.

Creek Freedmen are descendants of African-Americans who were enslaved by the Muscogee Creek Nation and granted freedom and citizenship under an 1866 treaty with the U.S. government. A 1979 Muscogee Nation constitution limited citizenship to those "by blood," leading to decades of disenfranchisement for Freedmen. However, in July 2025, the Muscogee Nation Supreme Court struck the "by blood" requirement, ordering the nation to enroll Freedmen and restoring their legal citizenship, which was a landmark victory for the community.  

Angela Walton-Raji a native of Fort S...

In this episode of Ancestors Footprints, host Bernice Bennett welcomes marketing executive turned genealogist Andre Kearns, Founder and CEO of Black Ancestries(https://blackancestries.com/), a company that provides professional genealogy research to help people of African connect with their past. Andre shares how a career pivot became a calling: to uncover, celebrate, and preserve, the lost lineages of people of African descent. Through his innovative approach, blending research expertise, historical context, and emotional storytelling, Andre is building a new model for Black genealogy. He reflects on his own family discoveries, the emotional journeys of his clients, and how tracing l...

Striking the Balance: Challenges interpreting free Black communities with Guy Weston.

 In this episode, we will discuss the importance of acknowledging Black achievement in a discipline that is frequently dominated by loss and suffering. 

Guy’s current work encompasses research and public history initiatives to raise the profile of Timbuctoo, NJ, where his fourth great grandfather purchased land in 1829. These have included interpretive signage in Timbuctoo, coordination of a curriculum development project in collaboration with local teachers, and preservation efforts for the Timbuctoo cemetery, where the oldest gravestone is dated 1847. He currently serves as Mana...

At the Feet of the Elders” by Darius Brown is a journey into the heart of African American ancestry in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Set against the backdrop of the Civil War and the collapse of slavery in Beaufort County, this book traces the author’s own lineage from Africa through enslavement to freedom. Using archival records, oral history, and genetic genealogy, Brown reconstructs the lives of his ancestors with care and reverence, offering a moving tribute to resilience and a blueprint for uncovering lost family stories.


Darius M. Brown is an award-winning author, genetic genealogist, and histo...

Today's episode features A'Lelia Bundles, the author of Joy Goddess: A'Lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance. A'Lelia Bundles discusses her book "Joy Goddess," which chronicles the life of her great-great-grandmother Madam CJ Walker and great-grandmother A'Lelia Walker, correcting historical misconceptions by portraying A'Lelia as a significant supporter of the arts during the Harlem Renaissance rather than merely a socialite spending her mother's money. A'Lelia shares her decades-long research journey that began with family stories and evolved to include extensive archival research, emphasizing the importance of using primary sources and historical context in understanding the vibrant Black middle-class social...

Today’s episode will focus on a new show called Back to the Frontier on HBO Max where three American families are taken out of their 21st-century comfort zones and sent back to the frontier, where they must learn to live like their predecessors with no modern amenities. The families face challenges but also gain valuable lessons about the importance of hard work, gratitude, and family togetherness.

Joining me today are Stacey and Joaquin Loper - the only African American family that chose to participate in this potential life changing adventure for eight  weeks. I had an opportunity to...

Today's episode will focus on Enslaved.org, an innovative online digital history project that through datasets that contributors have created by extracting information from historical sources, it documents the lives of hundreds of thousands of named enslaved individuals in mainland North America and the larger Atlantic world.The project's database and partnerships, including with FamilySearch, enable scholars and genealogists to study and trace the histories of enslaved individuals, while also highlighting the importance of making historical data accessible to diverse audiences.

At Michigan State University, Walter Hawthorne is a professor of African, Atlantic, and Digital History; director of Ens...

Edisto Gullah Geechee People of Orangeburg, South Carolina

In this  episode,  Roderick Gass, Vice President of the Gullah Nation of North America, will discuss the Edisto Gullah Geechee people of Orangeburg, South Carolina, and their cultural heritage. He also explores the work of Lorenzo Dow Turner, the Father of Gullah studies, and delve into various aspects of Gullah Geechee culture, including language, traditions, and genealogy. The conversation also covers the impact of DNA testing in connecting with relatives and preserving family history, as well as the importance of organizations like the Gullah Nation of North America an...

Preserving History with Our Stories with Marion Woodford Simmons

This episode will demonstrate how ordinary people can preserve community history by documenting and preserving their memories, memorabilia and ephemera. Through her work, Marion Woodfork Simmons continues to bridge the gap between past and present, ensuring that every story—no matter how small—is preserved and celebrated.

Marion Woodfork Simmons is an award-winning community historian, family historian, and the founder of Woodfork Genealogy LLC, a firm dedicated to helping individuals and communities preserve their histories. With a passion for collaborating with others to prese...

Genealogy in Reverse: Finding the Living - A Practical Guide for all Genealogists

Genealogy often feels like a treasure hunt, and genealogists, like treasure hunters, run into “dead ends” all the time.  One important method for getting back on track is to look for living relatives who can fill in the gaps in our family stories. With step-by-step guidance, methodologies, and practical examples, Genealogy in Reverse. Finding the Living will give you the tools and confidence to find and make meaningful connections with living family members. This process, known as reverse genealogy, involves creating a detailed famil...

Dr. Antoinette Harrell, a genealogist, family historian, and local historian in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes, is renowned for her pioneering work in uncovering the peonage system that persisted in the Southern United States long after the abolition of slavery. She has been instrumental in helping countless families trace their ancestry and has brought national attention to hidden histories through her research and documentaries. Her dedication to preserving African American heritage has earned her numerous accolades and recognition from historical societies and academic institutions. She is the author of Images of America: African Americans in Tangipahoa and St. Helena...

The Power of Collaboration

Collaborative Genealogy is a powerful, yet underused tool when it comes to building a family tree. With it, people can grow their trees farther than possible when working alone.

 Emmaline MacBeath is a genetic genealogist and a children’s author under the pen name Emmaline Rose. She specializes in African-American genealogy and the use of DNA to identify unknown family. Connecting people to their family stories and to each other is what lights up her days. She leads both the Adoption Angels and US Black Heritage Projects at the family tre...

Overlooked: Early Black History in Minnesota

Long before the Great Migration, African Americans were already building lives and communities across Minnesota and the upper Midwest. Join professional genealogist Mica L. Anders as she uncovers the forgotten stories of Black pioneers, homesteaders, and entrepreneurs who helped shape the state from the 1850s through the 1890s. From Civil War veterans claiming land under the Homestead Act to skilled tradesmen establishing businesses, these resilient families carved out their place in Minnesota's history, but their stories were largely overlooked until recently.

Mica L. Anders is a professional genealogist specializing in...

Learning Larkin, My Civil War Ancestor 

In this episode, Cherekana Feliciano will share her journey to search for her  Civil War ancestor, Larkin Woodruff's pension file. She will describe what she learned from those files and the amazing surprise discovery made along the pension file journey.  

Cherekana Feliciano is a genealogist, public history enthusiast and law school graduate. She has been conducting family history research for almost fifteen years. She currently serves as the President of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) – NJ Chapter.  She is one half of a genealogy podcast...

The Trouble of Color: An American Family Memoir

Martha S. Jones grew up feeling her Black identity was obvious to all who saw her. But weeks into college, a Black Studies classmate challenged Jones’s right to speak. Suspicious of the color of her skin and the texture of her hair, he confronted her with a question that inspired a lifetime of introspection: “Who do you think you are?” Now a prizewinning scholar of Black history, Jones delves into her family’s past for answers to that very question in The Trouble of Color: An American Family M...

Join us for Freedmen’s Bureau Friday, a weekly virtual gathering where we uncover the rich and revealing stories found in the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Land also known as the Freedmen Bureau —a groundbreaking collection of more than 3.4 million documents created between 1865 and 1872. 

These records provide an invaluable window into the lives of newly emancipated African Americans, as well as the broader post-Civil War Southern communities.Each week, we take a deep dive into a different Southern state, exploring the unique challenges, services, and voices captured in the records—from labor contracts and educatio...

Searching for my American cousins with Martine Brennan

Over a decade ago, Irish woman Martine Brennan took a DNA test which surprisingly revealed that she had unknown African American cousins. With no family oral history to guide her she began the search to find her connection to her cousins.

Martine Brennan is an  London-born Irish woman, public historian & genealogist. Creator of the database of Irish slaveholders in South Carolina (research ongoing) which is available free of charge on Google maps and at the digital archive of the International African American Museum Charleston. Contributor o...