Due to Unforeseen circumstances, this year’s African AMerican Family HIstory Day is being rescheduled. Keep an eye out on our website and social media for the new date in 2022!

Find your roots with help from genealogists who specialize in researching African American family histories. Join the Poplar Forest African American Advisory Group online for an interactive experience designed to help you navigate historical records in search of your African American family tree. Hear stories about exploring ancestry and learn about research methods, tools, ideas and strategies for tracing the genealogy of your enslaved ancestors. Admission to the event is free, but registration is required (via the form below) to receive the link to the Zoom meeting.

Event SChedule

10:00–10:15 am
Event Welcome and An Introduction to Poplar Forest

10:15–11:15 Am
Reclamation: sally hemings, thomas jefferson, and A descendant’s search for her family’s lasting legacy

Presenter: Gayle Jessup White

Gayle Jessup White is the author of the upcoming book, “Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and a Descendant’s Search for Her Family’s Lasting Legacy.” Her very personal chronicle of a decades long search for her family’s connection to Jefferson and Monticello began with a thread of a story from an elderly relative who could not read, write, or spell her own name. In her talk, Gayle will share the journey that led to the places where her ancestors were enslaved, including Poplar Forest, and ultimately Monticello, where she is public relations & community engagement officer.

Click the link to pre-order “Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and a Descendant’s Search for Her Family’s Lasting Legacy” https://www.harpercollins.com/products/reclamation-gayle-jessup-white

11:15 Am–12:15 pm
Getting Started with GeneAlogical Research: Start where you are!

Presenter: Dr. Wanda Tucker

Dr. Tucker is a member of The William Tucker 1624 Society.  Through oral history, she believes her family is descendants of the first group of approximately 20 Africans who were enslaved in the British colony of Virginia in 1619.  Wanda continues her genealogical research on the Tucker family and shares her life-changing experiences in Angola.

Wanda Tucker was born in Virginia and currently resides in Arizona.  Wanda earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from St. Leo University (1994), a Master of Arts degree in Theology from Virginia Union University, Samuel DeWitt School of Theology (1997), a Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies from Arizona State University (2008), and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University (2014).  Wanda serves as Faculty Chair of the Psychology, Philosophy, and Religious Studies Departments at Rio Salado College and teaches in the fields of Psychology and Religious Studies.  In 2019, USA Today sponsored Wanda to travel to Angola, Africa, in search of her ancestral roots.

12:15–1:00 pm
Lunch Break

Zoom will stay live so participants can discuss talks or have conversation

1:00–2:00 pm

Presenters: Dr. Eric Proebsting and Karen McIlvoy

Dr. Eric Proebsting, Director of Archaeology and Landscapes and Karen McIlvoy, Archaeology Laboratory Supervisor discuss the Poplar Forest Quarter Site, detailing fascinating artifacts discovered through extensive archaeological excavations. These artifacts have led Poplar Forest to a deeper understanding of life at the Quarter Site for enslaved men, women, and children when they were able to attend to their own tasks and duties. Hear stories of the enslaved community at Poplar Forest and hear how Poplar Forest is better telling the story of the site with a brand new exhibit set to open in early 2022.