Discover your family history at free genealogy event in Topeka
TOPEKA (KSNT) - If you're interested in learning more about filling in the gaps of your family tree, you'll want to visit the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library next month.
Kenneth B. Morris, Jr., co-founder and president of the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives (FDFI) will be at the library for a free genealogy conference from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16. Guests are invited to stop by the library to learn about the newest genealogy tools and family research tips from experts with Identity Quest.
Morris, a direct descendant of Douglass and Booker T. Washington, will give a presentation about his family's heritage, the challenges he faced growing up and his work with building strong children through the FDFI. People can also meet with experts during the conference to learn how to get started with genealogical research, DNA, family trees and how to research their family history. Presentations include the following:
- A History of the American Indian Boarding Schools by Eric Anderson.
- Children of the Promised Land: Nicodemus, Kansas by Angela Bates.
- What's in Your DNA by Marty Flanagan.
- One Family's Journey: From County Cavan, Ireland to Nebraska by John Manning.
- Beyond Brown: Mexican Struggles for Equality Before and After Brown v. Board by Valerie Mendoza.
African Americans Renewing Interest in Spirituals Ensemble, Incorporated will also be performing for those who choose to attend in person. The group is made up of voices from across Kansas who are dedicated to uplifting and sharing history through song and storytelling.
For more information on this conference, along with how to attend via Zoom and how to register, go to the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library's website by clicking here.
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