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PITTSBURGH -- The Senator John Heinz History Center -- the Smithsonian’s home in Pittsburgh -- will host two virtual genealogy workshops in May to benefit beginners and seasoned family researchers.
An African American Genealogy Workshop will be held on May 15, with an Eastern European Genealogy Workshop set for May 23.
From genocide on slave plantations through the Civil War to devastating attacks during the early 20th century, African Americans have been victims of racial violence that resulted in thousands of missing persons. These episodes mark a stain on the American familial landscape and challenge genealogists in their efforts to reconstruct family histories.
During a virtual African American Genealogy Workshop from 10 a.m. to noon on May 15, participants will learn about the history of these episodes and how family records can be resurrected. The workshop will include analysis of the Tulsa Massacre on May 31, 1921, when a white mob descended upon the Black community in Tulsa, Okla., destroying lives and the “Black Wall Street” business district.
As descendants of a Tulsa Massacre survivor, John W. Franklin and Karen Roberts Franklin of Franklin Global LLC will discuss the historical records that remain following the tragedy and will provide insight into their family’s history in Tulsa and Westmoreland County, Pa.
Opening remarks will be given by Carolyn Johnson, a Pittsburgh member of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, who also is a descendant of a family affected by the massacre.
Registration for this virtual program is $10 per person.
The center’s first Eastern European Genealogy Workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 23.
This in-depth virtual workshop will explore the core genealogical knowledge essential to tracing Eastern European ancestors. Participants will gain insights into researching ancestors who lived in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia and more.
Featuring live question-and-answer sessions and interactive virtual networking opportunities, this workshop will foster connections between attendees and expert speakers on tracing their Eastern European ancestors.
This workshop is offered in partnership with the Jewish Genealogy Society of Pittsburgh, the Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
General registration is $25 for the general public and $20 for members of the history center, Jewish Genealogy Society of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania Genealogical Society.
Special access to recordings of the lectures will be made available to attendees following these live workshops. For information about these workshops, contact heinzhistorycenter.org