February 26 -- After a successful beta period, Afriquest (www.afriquest.com), the free online database for records of African and African American genealogy and history, will officially launch on Saturday, February 28.

The Afriquest database will allow anyone to add records, including both text and images. Furthermore, anyone will be able to access, print and use the records for research purposes - absolutely free. The software is easy to use and has a powerful search engine to help readers quickly find what they are looking for.

Historians hope a new Web database will help bring millions of blacks closer to their African ancestors who were forced onto slave ships, connecting them to their heritage in a way that has long been possible for white Europeans. Read More