Bring It On! – May 31, 2021: African-American Genealogy Part II: Finding Your Slave Ancestors

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:00 — 121.9MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Today’s hosts on Bring It On! are William Hosea and Liz Mitchell. They continue their discussion with Mary Jones-Fitts, a professional genealogist with 42 years of experience. This week’s show focuses on how African-Americans can find their slave ancestors.

Mrs. Mary Jones-Fitts is a historian, professional genealogist, and lecturer with 42 years of experience. Born in Demopolis, Mary Jones-Fitts completed her education in Los Angeles, California obtaining degrees in Business Administration and Paralegal Studies. She specializes in Slave and African American genealogy research and preservation. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Black Belt African American Genealogical and Historical Society; the President of the Mobile African American Genealogical & Historical Society; President of the Marengo County Preservation Alliance;  President of the Friends of the Alabama Archives; and Co-Founder of the Birmingham African American Genealogy Group.

She has published articles for genealogical publications in North Carolina and Alabama, and more recently her article, “My African American Research: Two Stories” was published in the Alabama Genealogical Society, Inc. magazine, volume 46, spring/summer 2014. She has appeared in Alabama Public Television’s documentary, The Story of the Faunsdale Plantation, and North Carolina Public Television’s documentary,  A Gathering of Generations. Most recently, she presented a webinar for the Mobile, Alabama library service and the Mobile African American Genealogical & Historical Society, called Tracing Ancestors Sold in Slavery (May 29, 2021).

Credits:
Today’s hosts are William Hosea and Liz Mitchell.
The show’s executive producer is Clarence Boone.
The assistant producer is William Hosea
Bring It On!’s consultant and WFHB News Department Director is Kade Young.
The program engineer is Chantalle LaFontant.
The original theme music was created by Jamyl Efiom, with additional background tracks by David Baker.