Two of the foremost educators in the area of African American Genealogy will present a joint lecture focused on ancestors who were emancipated before chattel slavery was finally abolished: LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson JD, LLM, CG®, FASG will lead off with a focus on the ways in which enslaved people could be manumitted before the abolition of chattel slavery, and Dr. Deborah A. Abbott PhD will follow-up with the treatment of Free People of Color in the period leading to the Civil War.
LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG®, FASG, will cover antebellum court records that are among the most useful sources of genealogically relevant information about African American ancestors, including the organizational structures of the state and local courts that these ancestors—enslaved and free—typically came into contact with as well as the records created.
LaBrenda will present the following lectures: Importance of Transcribing Documents: Effective use of documents in research requires a knowledge of what it says, and transcription is a basic skill that will improve your view. Historical and Legal Background: Seeing the forest through the trees requires an understanding of what has happened, where it has happened, and why. A South Carolina Case Study, Identifying Parents of an Enslaved Ancestor: Follow this study to learn how one researcher sought to examine the evidence and choose appropriate directions to find the answer. Utility of DNA Evidence: Learn how to effectively use DNA Evidence in your research questions.
Adherence to standards is imperative for anyone who endeavors to reach credible genealogical conclusions. The Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG)publishes the field’s only comprehensive set of criteria(standards)for evaluating genealogical work products. Significantly, application of the standards set forth in BCG’s publication is not limited to those who aspire to obtain the Certified Genealogist® credential—they are community wide standards used in producing family histories, client reports ,blogs, and other offerings.