New York Slavery Records Index Is Coming Online

Jan 2, 2018 | Records

Be on the lookout for press releases later this month about a new resource for researching enslaved African Americans. I am particularly excited about this project because it is under construction by a team of professors and graduate students at my alma mater, the...Read More

An African American Family in Antebellum Laurens, SC

Jan 29, 2017 | Franklin Family

An Act of Genealogical Kindness In September of 2016 I received an envelope in the mail from an elderly (80-something-year-old) white woman who lives in Gray Court, Laurens County, South Carolina. The envelope contained photocopies of grave markers she came across...Read More

My Guide and Selected Finding Aids for Researchers of African American ancestors in Laurens County, SC (and Beyond)

Jul 22, 2016 | Publications

A Guide to Researching African American Ancestors in Laurens County, SC, and Selected Finding Aids, by LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, Published by Xlibris, 2016, ISBN13 Hardcover: 978-1-5245-2354-1, ISBN13 Softcover: 978-1-5245-2353-4, and ISBN13 ebook: 978-15245-2352-7,...Read More

Some Thoughts on the BCG Process

Sep 19, 2015 | Certification

Some thoughts on the process that resulted in my successful application for BCG’s Certified Genealogist® credential My Genealogical Education On 23 March 2015, I submitted a portfolio to the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG), all of the components of...Read More

African American Garrett Roots in Laurens County, South Carolina

Nov 3, 2014 | Garrett Family

I have only identified two African American families of Garretts  in Laurens County, SC.  Much of what we know about our line was summarized in a biographical note on Casper George (CG) Garrett that appeared in History of the American Negro, South Carolina...Read More

Dublin Hunter was a Landowner

Nov 3, 2014 | Hunter Family

We have documented quite a bit about the Free Man of Color named Dublin Hunter (1785-1850?), from whom Garretts, Mills, and Hunters claim descent. This document supplies another piece of the puzzle: James Hunter — a man with the same man as the former slave owner in...Read More

Elder Interview: Raleigh W. McCoy

Aug 2, 2014 | Interview

Interview by Linda McCoy Kumi During the month of April 2012, I spent the month with my Dad at his home in Sumter South Carolina. I had the privilege of him sharing some of his life history with me. Here is what I learned. When were you born? I was born October 1,...Read More

The Many Faces of Slavery: A Book Review

Jan 28, 2014 | Book Review

The Many Faces of Slavery. By Alexia Jones Helsley and Patrick McCawley. Published by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, SC; 1999. ISBN 1-88067-52-8, 168 pp. Illustrations, index, photographs. Softcover. Available at varied prices from...Read More

Alice Garrett’s Spicy Rice

Jul 29, 2012 | Family Recipes

Alice Garrett's Spicy Rice 1 1/3 cup Rice1 stick Butter or margarine1 Large onion ((sliced thin))1 can Beef Consommé soup1 can French Onion soup1 BAG Medium-size (41-60) Shrimp (Chicken, Pork, or Beef can be cut up and substituted for Shrimp…or no meat at all)...Read More

Elder Interview: Dr. Lila Garrett Lloyd

Jul 29, 2012 | Interview

What is your oldest childhood memory? I guess walking to high school in Greenville. Walking to Sterling, walking around the corner to my high school. You know previously I’d been riding cause I was in another area. I guess walking to school up to Sterling. I...Read More