History Matters digs into the Delaware Historical Society’s archives each month to explore connections between key people, places, and events in history and present-day news.
"When a society or a civilization perishes, one condition can always be found. They forgot where they came from." - Carl Sandburg
Tracing one's lineage was once a practice reserved for nobles and royalty. That's changed in the age of the internet. Many of the resources required to build a family tree are now right at everyone's fingertips, making genealogy a popular hobby.
But some segments of the population find it more difficult to find their ancestors. Among those facing that challenge are African Americans.
Now, a local Delaware group is attempting to show African Americans that it can be done with the right help.
The Delaware Genealogical Society hosted an event last September providing resources on African American genealogy. The event's popularity indicated that there is interest of African American genealogy here in Delaware. This month's History Matters explores the efforts to create an African American Genealogical Society in Delaware and the efforts of Erwin Polk, an African American genealogist who has had great success in tracing his lineage.
History Matters: African-American geneology.
WDDE’s Black History Month coverage is made possible, in part, by the Delaware Humanities Forum – the state arm of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Delaware Humanities Forum helps Delawareans learn about life and work by connecting them with other people, cultures and ideas.