African-American Genealogy Conference: Looking for a Home

Experience a two-day adventure into African-American genealogy, featuring internationally known genealogist, author and lecturer, Tony Burroughs. African-American Genealogy Conference: Looking for a Home will be held June 21-22 at the Pyle Center in Madison. View or download a flier describing the African-American genealogical resources available at the Wisconsin Historical Society (PDF 141 KB).

The featured speaker, Tony Burroughs, taught at Chicago State University. His book, “Black Roots: A Beginner’s Guide to Tracing the African-American Family Tree,” was number one on Essence magazine’s bestseller list.

Other speakers include:

• • Walter T. McDonald, co-author of “Finding Freedom: The Untold Story of Joshua Glover, Runaway Slave.”

• • Crystal Moten, from the University of Wisconsin-Madison history department, will talk about “Finding and Telling Their Stories: Black Women’s Lives and Experiences in the Historical Record.”

• • James Hansen, Wisconsin Historical Society genealogy reference librarian, will discuss “African-American Newspapers and Periodicals.”

• Lori Bessler, a Wisconsin Historical Society genealogy reference librarian who also teaches genealogy classes, will discuss “Navigating Ancestry and FamilySearch.”

This event is co-hosted by the Wisconsin Historical Society and the Madison African-American Genealogy Writing Group.

Conference Schedule:

FRIDAY

11 am–noon — Registration
Noon–1 pm — Lecture and Book signing, “Finding Freedom” (Walter McDonald)
1–1:30 pm — Break
1:30–2:30 pm — Lecture on African-American Newspapers and Periodicals (Jim Hansen)
2:30–3 pm — Break
3–4 pm — Lecture on Ancestry and FamilySearch (Lori Bessler)

SATURDAY

8–9 am — Registration
9–10 am — Lecture “Black Roots” (Tony Burroughs)
10–11 am — Book Signing (Tony Burroughs) and Break
11 am–noon — Lecture, “Finding and Telling Their Stories” (Crystal Moten)
Noon– 1:30 pm — Lunch on Your Own
1:30–2:30 pm — Lecture, “Nature of Genealogy” (Tony Burroughs)
2:30–3 pm — Break
3–4 pm — Lecture, “Researching Pullman Porters” (Tony Burroughs)

Hotel Accommodations:

Downtown hotels are filling up quickly because of other events being held on campus this weekend. We have arranged for a block of rooms at Lowell Center (610 Langdon St, just down the block from the Pyle Center). Phone 608-256-2621 and provide the group code name “home.”

Ticket Info: View or download a brochure and registration form that includes information about fees (PDF 217 KB). Email the library to confirm a registration spot in this conference.

Venue: Pyle Center

Address: 702 Langdon St

City: Madison