Evelyn Hood of Decatur began researching her family history some years ago, realizing how hard it is for African-Americans because landowners usually did not include surnames of their slaves in their records. Surnames would tell people their tribes. That families were divided at auction provides another hindrance.

“I was having a difficult time,” Hood says. “I had to educate myself about genealogy and African-American history.” Out of her experience, in August 1993 Hood created the African-American Cultural and Genealogical Society of Illinois Museum in downtown Decatur. Read More