May 5, 2012 – AAGS Hosts Spring Conference

Shamele Jordon & Deborah Abbott

Presenter, Kimberly Powell

CPL Dept. Mgr. Ron Burdick

On May 5, AAGS sponsored its spring conference, “Unlocking the Mystery of Family History” at the Cleveland Public Library (CPL). The all-day program featured experienced genealogy professionals, including Shamele Jordon (a researcher for “African American Lives II) and Kimberly Powell (genealogy.about.com), and covered an array of topics from beginning genealogy, to GPS technology, to slave research. Representatives from CPL (Ron Burdick) and Cuyahoga County Public Library (Joni Mihelich) also informed attendees of the latest family history reference materials that are available in collections at CPL and Fairview Park Library. Attendees found the event instructive and fun.

April 22, 2012 – AAGS on Kaleidoscope TV program
On April 22, AAGS members Cathy Neal and Sandra Beane Milton had the pleasure of appearing on the WEWS Channel 5 program Kaleidoscope hosted by news personality Leon Bibb. Bibb was very appreciative of the work done by one of our dedicated AAGS members who researched and provided documents and photographs related to his family.

April 12-14, 2012 - OGS conference held in Cleveland
There was much to take in during the three-day Ohio Genealogical Society held at the InterContinental Cleveland Hotel during April. The annual event included topics and discussion for all levels of family researchers. AAGS members volunteered, sponsored, and attended events, and it was great to stay in touch with Oberlin Genealogy African-American History Group members that were present. Subject matter ran the gamut from novice to seasoned, vendor exhibits were available, and attendees even had an opportunity to get a taste of inputting 1940 census records at the computer stations hosted by FamilySearch. Member Jane Arrington was inducted into the Settlers and Builders of Ohio lineage group, having evidence of direct Ohio descendants dating to 1821. Photos of AAGS members, Presenter Lisa Louise Cooke, and Oberlin members.

April 2, 2012 – East Cuyahoga Gen Society Census Celebration
April 2 was a big day for genealogists, with the digital release of the 1940 Census records by the National Archives and Records Administration. To mark the occasion, ECCGS threw a 1940’s themed party -- participants enjoyed displays and personal effects brought in from the era, learned about census-taking instructions of the time, participated in games and activities related to the 40’s, heard first-hand stories, and were treated to desserts by ‘authentic soda jerks.

March 4, 2012 – AAGS Heritage Dinner spotlights distinctive discoveries
The AAGS Heritage Dinner theme for 2012 was “Smooth Criminals,” acknowledging “wrongdoers” from our past -- found in the research of AAGS members. Some discoveries may come as a surprise, but such tales and documents definitely add interest to the routine and familiar fact-finding that genealogists encounter. The event was included in the Call & Post Newspaper (March 9, 2012 edition) and is on their web site -- www.callandpost.com/index.php/news/community/2006-african-american-genealogical-society-held-heritage-dinner

February 10, 2012 - AAGS interviewed for Fox TV 8’s “Portraits of Black History”
As a part of the Fox television news program featuring segments on Black History, reporter Maria Scali interviewed two AAGS members. Cathy Neal spoke about the organization and the relevance of her family finds. Sandra Beane Milton connected her family’s past and described her time at the North Carolina site where her forebears were enslaved (currently a bed and breakfast facility).
Maria Scali & Cathy Neal

January 28, 2012 – Members pass along conference experience and free software info
At the January meeting, Jeri waters recounted what she gained from attending her first genealogy conference (the OGS conference in Columbus last year). She then shared with the group her findings for her own relatives, which included two mysterious causes of death on certificates from the 1920’s. In addition, Sandra Milton demonstrated an online site that provides multiple uses for genealogists (free software, video tutorials, and online webinars). Check out www.legacyfamilytree.com.

January 16, 2012 - AAGS supports WRHS on MLK Day
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, AAGS volunteers assisted the Western Reserve Historical Society at its Library Research Center by aiding participants with their family research. Over 80 people streamed into the Reading Room…..many for the first time and many definitely new to the field of genealogy. Photo of AAGS members Sandra Milton and DeAndre Taylor with WRHS Reference Supervisor Ann Sindelar.