Roots and Freedom: Researching Family History

A grandfather with a second family. A secret adoption. An aunt’s covered-up divorce. Our family lore, passed down through oral tradition, can feel like the stuff of movies. But these juicy tidbits are more than just generational drama—they're our personal connection to the past, and represent one reason to start researching your own family history.

Join us at 6 pm on Thursday, April 18 at the Hillcrest neighborhood's Francis A. Gregory Library to talk about family history and why it matters. With the help of Gigi Nelson, founder of the Majani Project, and S. Childs, DCPL Library Associate, you’ll receive an introduction, beginner basics, and time to ask your individual questions. Already know your stuff? Come along to help answer others’ questions, further your own research, and build community with other family history researchers.

This event is scheduled in recognition of DC Emancipation Day on April 16. Each year since 2005, the District of Columbia recognizes this holiday in honor of the 1862 legislation which freed nearly 3,200 Washingtonians, while paying their enslavers for their release. In enacting this legislation, documentation of those 3,200 Washingtonians was created, leaving in many cases the first trace of their enslaved ancestors in the historical record. By creating opportunities for DC residents to research their own family histories, we encourage civic engagement, making connections with neighbors, and the chance to honor this truly unique moment in our city’s history.

Everyone from beginners to experts will benefit from attending this orientation. Whether your family has a history in DC or not, you’ll be provided basic resources to start researching your own family history.

DETAILS
6:00-7:30
Francis A. Gregory Library
2nd Floor Community Room


ABOUT REGISTRATION
Registration for this event is free for all attendees. Pre-registration for the event is encouraged, but not required. Capacity is limited. If you require accommodations for a disability, please email the DC History Center at programs@dchistory.org with your request as soon as possible. We are committed to making events accessible for all participants. There will be photographs taken at this event.

PARTNERS
Aungelic "Gigi" Nelson is an accomplished speaker, genealogist, and historian. Born in LA, raised in an Army family, she grew up nationally and internationally. Gigi obtained degrees in American History and taught college-level history courses and other related subjects.  After a decade of teaching, she became a military historian with the U.S. Air Force and completed two deployments downrange as a combat historian.  In 2017, she settled down in Washington DC, where her passion for genealogy became a mission. She served as ANC202 commissioner to get to know DC at the grassroots level. In 2022, she launched The Majani Project. She published an introductory family history book for Black teens called For The Culture: A Genealogy Handbook For The Cool Kids. 

RESOURCES
Researching Family History 
The Legacy of the DC Compensated Emancipation Act