From Slavery to Freedom Festival - Speaking Engagement

I will be speaking at the “From Slavery To Freedom Festival” on the topic of Genealogy. This event celebrates the 390th Anniversary of the arrival of the first Africans in America. I will be the first speaker on the program. This program was previously scheduled for Saturday, August 15th at Gosnold Park, but was cancelled due to rain.

Date: Saturday, September 26, 2009

Time: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Place: Mill Point Park, 100 Eaton Street, Hampton, VA 23669

Event is sponsored by the City of Hampton


Directions: I-64 exit 267 - Downtown Hampton. Right at the stoplight onto Settlers Landing Road. Follow Settlers Landing over bridge to Eaton Street. Turn right onto Eaton Street the park will be on the right.
I-64 West exit 267 - County Street. Left at stoplight onto Settlers Landing Road. Follow Settlers Landing over bridge to Eaton Street. Turn right onto Eaton Street the park will be on the right.

For more information about Mill Point Point, vist the website of
City of Hampton Parks and Recreation

Finding Records of Your Ancestors – 1870 to Present

In this video presentation, "Finding Records of Your Ancestors 1870 - Present," Mary Hill provides tips on what records to look for and where to find records that African-Americans can use to trace their family history. In order to explain the genealogy research process and methods used to locate records from 1870 to the present, Ms. Hill focuses her presentation on researching Simon Haley, the paternal grandfather of Alex Haley, who was the novelist and screen writer of the book and movie “Roots.”

This presentation was conducted at the 2006 conference of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) held in Salt Lake City, UT. Workshop materials used in the presentation were a Guide to African American Records developed by the Family History Library of the Church of the Latter Day Saints.

Part 1 of 3


Part 2 of 3


Part 3 of 3

African American Research

Learn about research methods and the challenges of African American Research.

African American Research, Part 1 of 2


African American Research, Part 2 of 2

Alex Haley Interview

Alex Haley (1921-1992) was a biographer, scriptwriter, and novelist. His most famous work was Roots: The Saga of an American Family, the story of family through the line of his slave ancestor, Kunta Kinte. Other works of Haley include the following:

• Queen
• Mama Flora’s Family
• The Autobiography of Malcolm X
• Roots: The Next Generation

1983 Alex Haley InterviewIn 1983, Alex Haley visited Fort Wayne, Indiana for an interview to discuss his book and mini-series, "Roots". While there, he also appeared on the talk show, "A New Generation" and was interviewed by Steve Miller.

Film: Meeting David Wilson

The film, “Meeting David Wilson” premiered last night on MSNBC. This film traces a young man’s journey to track down his family’s past in slavery. It is the story of David A. Wilson, a young African American man from Newark, NJ who is in search of his roots. The film traces David A. Wilson’s journey to North Carolina to meet David B. Wilson, a descendant of the southern white family who owned his family during slavery. Although the film focuses on racism and injustices, it’s overall message is that African Americans are “Not the descendants of Victims, but Victors.


Trailer, Meeting David Wilson


ABC News, Meeting David Wilson



ABC Nightly News, Meeting David Wilson

The documentary “Meeting David Wilson” contains the following parts:

• The beginning of a journey South
• Caswell County: ‘A place that time forgot’
• Picking tobacco and reliving the past
• The two David Wilsons meet
• Talk of slavery and reparations
• What a DNA test reveals
• After journey to his roots, a realization
  

Other Related Links

• My Space Page, http://www.myspace.com/meetingdavidwilson
• The TODAY Show Talking about race in America