Welcome to the FHWGS Website!

OUR NEXT MEETING IS SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2024

Members will be sent instructions to join the virtual meeting

 

Our April 6, 2024, speaker will be Jamon Jordan, Official Historian, City of Detroit. He will be speaking on the topic: Women of the Resistance

Ari Wilkins is the featured speaker for the Barbara J. Brown Family History Seminar. It will take place May 10-11, 2024, at the Library of Michigan/Michigan History Center. Presenter by the Archives of Michigan and the Michigan Genealogical council.

INFO HERE

Our March 2, 2024 program was “Preserving Your Genealogical Heritage: Archival Storage Essentials and Preservation Resources,” the presenter was Sasha Johnson.

AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY PROGRAM

On 2/3/2024 the meeting program was, How To Use Airtable For Cluster Research: A Case Study – Presented by Mary Crosby

 

Be sure to watch Gospel on PBS February 12 & 13, 2024 at 9:00 PM (EST). Mary Crosby was a local researcher for the documentary hosted by Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Our January 6, 2024, meeting topic was Henry Ford and the  Inkster Project – Presented by Howard Lindsay, PhD

At our Saturday, November 4, 2023 Meeting
The following programs were presented:
Freedom, Family and a Future: One Family’s Journey from Slavery to Thriving Generations in Michigan – Presented by Joy Downs Young and
Freedom Acres: Farmington’s First Black Family – Presented by Kelly Stanford Warren

Joy F Downs Young is a passionate family historian and researcher. She’s been researching hers and others’ families since around 1992 with the advent of the Prodigy Internet Browser where she discovered MS GenWeb. She is a member of the Fred Hart Williams Genealogical Society (FHWGS), Louisiana Genealogical and Historical Society (LGHS), Afro American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS), and just recently The South Mississippi Genealogical and Historical Society, (SMGHS).

She currently volunteers at the Birmingham Michigan Museum as a genealogical researcher and cultural consultant on the Exhibit, Early Abolitionists and the Local Underground Railroad Network. Joy is excited that her 2 adult daughters are now sharing her interest in their family history so they can keep the research going into the next generation. Joy retired from a 34 year career in Nursing.

Kelly Stanford Warren loves cities and family history. Her lifelong career has been working with municipal officials and her lifelong interest has been discovering more about her family.  Kelly’s love for genealogy started when she was a young child and learned that she was the descendant of grandparents that escaped slavery. Later she learned that she was a distant relative of Booker T. Washington and she had to know more!

Kelly has been researching her history for over 15 years and likes to give regular presentations to her family. Kelly is a member of the Washtenaw African American Genealogy Society and the Fred Hart Williams Genealogical Society.  

Mary Crosby Recieves Award from AAHGS

Congratulation to Mary Crosby for recieving the On-The-Spot Award from The Afro-American Hisorical and Genealogical Society.  The award is for her recent contribution to the AAHGS’s missions and goals.The award was issued at the beginning of their 2023 Annual Conference October 18-21, 2023.

OUR OCTOBER 7, 2023 MEETING

Karina Robinson presented Exploring African American Collections Online: Ancestry and Beyond 

Karina recently returned to freelance work, having spent over a year as a genealogist with Ancestry.com. Previously, she served as the principal researcher for the California State Librarian and volunteered at the Oakland Family History Library where she taught genealogy classes for many years.  As an independent historian, she has contributed historical research to an array of published books and articles, including Dan Morain’s biography of Vice President Kamala Harris (“”Kamala’s Way”), and scholar Ann Pruitt Logan’s biography on Lucy Diggs Slowe (“Faithful to the Task at Hand”). In addition, Karina has contributed work to the online encyclopedia BlackPast.org.  Lastly, she holds a B.A. in art history and foreign languages (Spanish, German, Italian), and an M.A. in History (Thesis: African American Landownership in California), as well as a Certificate in Genealogical Research. 

FHWGS In The News

FHWGS members were interviewed in the Channel 7 WXYZ – Detroit story about the 10 Million Names Project  

(click link below)

https://www.wxyz.com/news/i-wanna-know-who-i-am-10-million-names-project-finds-history-of-enslaved-african-americans 

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT, SHAUN THOMAS, ELECTED VICE PRESIDENT OF THE MICHIGAN GENEALOGICAL COUNCIL

At the June 23, 2023, Michigan Genealogical Council Delegate meeting the new officers were installed. FHWGS Immediate Past President, Shaun Thomas was installed as MGC Vice President. The MGC is comprised of delegates from genealogical societies across Michigan and seeks to coordinate and stimulate genealogical activities of statewide interest, including seminars.  Shaun will continue serving on the FHWGS board in addition to his new role with MGC.  (Photo – from 6/3/2023 event courtesy of Linda Webb)

Shaun was recently interviewed by Word In Black for AARP on the importance of African American genealogical research. You can read it here: https://wordinblack.com/2023/06/researching-your-lineage-could-change-your-life/?utm_source=rss.app&utm_medium=rss-widget&utm_content=rss-widget&utm_term=&utm_campaign=

The great-uncle of past-president, Shaun Thomas, golfer Ben Davis was honored on a Michigan Historical Marker at Rackham Golf Course where he taught for many years.

Detroit News Article:

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/golf/2023/07/28/late-ben-davis-honored-with-plaque-at-entrance-to-rackham-golf-course/70485307007/

PASSING OF BRYANT JENKINS, JR., LONGEST SERVING FHWGS BOARD MEMBER

Our condolences go out to the family of Bryant Jenkins, Jr.  Bryant was our longest serving board member serving from 1991 until his passing on May 28, 2023.  He served as co-chair of our hospitality committee and was a former FHWGS treasurer.  We appreciate his dedicated service to the Society and join with his family and friends in mourning the loss of this kind spirited man who enjoyed the pursuit of genealogical research.  

The Fred Hart Williams Genealogical Society held a book signing event on 6/3/2023 at the Ypsilanti Public Library

On Saturday, June 3, 2023, from 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM the Fred Hart Williams Genealogical Society conducted a book signing event at the Ypsilanti District Library, 5577 Whittaker Road, Ypsilanti, MI.  The event was this year’s Annual Karl Hamilton Field Trip.  In celebration of our 40th anniversary, over 50 of our members contributed their family history narratives to our publication; Telling Our Stories: A Collection of Family History Narratives.  Several authors presented their stories at the library event.  Many authors were in attendance to discuss and sign their narratives in the book.  The event was free and open to the public.

Photos courtesy of Linda Webb

Photo Gallery (click here)

Our 40th Anniversary Publication, Telling Our Stories: A Collection of Family History Narratives is now available.

Click Here for More Information

 

REMEMBERING DR. DENNIS C. WOODS SR.

Dr. Woods was longtime member of FHWGS.  He would always take plenty of pictures at our events and field trips.  He was given the nickname “Dr. DNA” for his informative  presentations on the science behind the use of DNA in genealogical research. We were saddened to learn of his passing on May 26, 2023. Our condolences to his family. He will be missed.

MAY 2023 MEETING SPEAKER

The May 6, 2023, program was; Using Codes to Filter Groups in Ancestry presented by Charlotte Backey from the Washtenaw African American Genealogical Society.

TREASURER, LIFE MEMBER, RENEE STRONG-TERRY

We were saddened by the passing of our treasurer, Renee Strong-Terry on April 4, 2023.  Renee was a Life Member and served as treasurer of the Fred Hart Williams Genealogical Society since 2017.  She is the sister of our Immediate Past President, Leslie C. Strong Williams.  Her involvement with FHWGS stemmed from her family’s rich historical roots as a close descendant of nineteenth century abolitionist William T. Webb.  Our sincere condolences to her family. 

APRIL 2023 MEETING

At our April 1, 2023, meeting author Christina Streety-Napier discussed her ancestor William Lambert and her children’s book about him, Code Name Midnight William Lambert and the Underground Railroad.

ON March 22, 2023 THE FRED HART WILLIAMS GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY PARTICIPATED IN  –  FINDING YOUR ROOTS – FAMILY SAGAS OF PRIDE AND PERSEVERANCE

On Wednesday, March 22, at 8 p.m. ET, Detroit Public TV and PBS Books held a fascinating look at new techniques for unravelling the mysteries of African American genealogy

Now in its ninth season, “Finding Your Roots” stands as one of PBS and America’s most enduring and popular favorite programs. It’s enjoyed by people from all backgrounds and ways of life. We celebrate each other’s stories, because every family’s history has much to tell us about the history of our country.

On Wednesday, March 22, Detroit Public TV and PBS Books present a special digital event, inspired by the work of “Finding Your Roots” host and creator, Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., who has made genealogy a national pastime.

We will present a dynamic discussion of the issues and opportunities that African Americans face as they trace their histories. There is never a straight path in genealogy, always twists and turns. But we will consider the unique challenges of these families, as they hunt through the wreckage of slavery for records that are lost or incomplete, searching for ancestors whose names and locations often have been changed or falsified.

Thankfully, there are new tools, historical and scientific, to unlock family histories. We will present a panel of avid and talented genealogists, who have mastered tricks and tips that will help others exploring their family’s origins. At the same time, they relate the surprising facts and inspiring stories they discovered about their own histories.

We even learn something about Dr. Gates himself!

Please join us on Wednesday, March 22, at 8 p.m. ET, at DPTV.org, PBSBooks.org, or Facebook Live.

Our partners include the Washtenaw County African American Genealogy Society, Ypsilanti District Library, Fred Hart Williams Genealogical Society from Detroit, Lansing Area African American Genealogical Society and the Afro American Historical and Genealogical Society from Washington, D.C.

It will be an evening of tears and triumph, DNA and dogged research perseverance, as we do our best to let the genealogy out of the bottle.

Learn more about the new Michigan Learning Channel

Partnering with teachers and families. On TV. Online. Statewide.
Visit MichiganLearning.org and Watch Live

MARCH 4, 2023 MEMBERSHIP MEETING

TOPIC: Michigan Black Homesteaders Connected to the Homestead Act of 1862

PRESENTER: Dr. Shelley Murphy

Michigan Black Homesteaders refers to African American individuals and families who settled in Michigan during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Many of these homesteaders were attracted to the state due to its abundant land and opportunities for farming. They were also drawn by the Homestead Act of 1862, which provided free land to anyone who was willing to settle on and improve it. The talk on Michigan Black Homesteaders will cover the experiences of two families as they established homes and farms in Michigan.

FEBRUARY 4, 2023 MEETING

In honor of African American History Month, our February membership meeting was a book discussion on The Ledger and The Chain (How Domestic Slave Traders Shaped America) by Joshua D. Rothman.  

Thanks to the State Clubs co-chairs, the facilitators, the reporters and all who participated in our book discussion.  

Here is a National Archives video discussion of the book with the author.

FHWGS IN THE NEWS

Member Oya Amakisi’s journey of discovery was featured on WXYZ.

 At our January 7, 2023, membership meeting, Oya presented: Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History; Tracing NontraditionalWomen in Your Lineage.