By Jheri Hardaway
Staff Writer
RALEIGH, NC – On Saturday, October 4th, the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources building was filled with the energy of discovery. Hundreds gathered for the 2025 Family History Fair, an event dedicated to African American Genealogy and History that left attendees feeling inspired, informed, and deeply connected to the past. Hosted by the State Archives and the State Library of North Carolina, the free event provided a wealth of knowledge and resources for anyone searching for their ancestral story. I left with countless new ideas and a renewed passion for continuing my own search.
The day was anchored by three powerful speakers who offered unique insights into the intricate process of tracing Black ancestry. Renate Yarborough Sanders, an experienced genealogist, kicked off the sessions with a practical guide titled "The Basics of Researching Ancestors of Color in North Carolina." She expertly navigated the complexities of finding formerly enslaved individuals and free people of color within historical documents, offering clear strategies on where to look and how to interpret records that were often not created with our ancestors in mind. One resource, she mentioned, InformationWanted.org can guide people to a “Last Seen” search element, which has been fascinating to navigate.
Next, award-winning genealogist Joyce Sharrock Cole presented the thought-provoking session "Surname is Not My Bloodline." Visiting North Carolina for the first time from New York, she revealed the hidden histories behind how surnames were given, taken, or changed for the enslaved, demonstrating through a powerful case study how combining DNA with meticulous record-keeping can help uncover a true family bloodline beyond a name. Finally, historian Desi Campbell captivated the audience with the story of "A Slave Named Jenny." He traced the life of an enslaved woman born in Virginia in the late 1700s, whose parents were taken from Igbo land in Nigeria. Campbell’s narrative was a masterclass in storytelling, illustrating how the resilience and wisdom of a single ancestor can echo through generations and reconnect families to their African roots. Anytime Desi Campbell speaks about his research, I show up. He holds events around North Carolina and beyond to educate and inspire. He is the Executive Director of the Harnett County African American Heritage Center and Museum in Lillington, North Carolina, where he houses thousands of obituaries and artifacts relating to the Black experience in the area.
Beyond the auditorium, the fair was a popping hub of activity. The lobby was lined with tables from organizations like the African American Heritage Commission, the Triangle Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, American 250 North Carolina, and the State Archives. Experts were available to answer questions, share resources, and offer guidance, creating a supportive environment for both novice and seasoned researchers.