Black Homesteaders - Margo Lee Williams, Orice Jenkins, Dr. Shelley Murphy

Research at the National Archives and Beyond

Did your ancestors own land under the Homestead Act of 1862? Join the Descendants of African American Homesteaders to hear about their research and land-owning ancestor's stories. Margo Lee Williams is the great-granddaughter of Florida Homesteader, Randel Farnell and his wife, Sallie Jacobs Farnell. Williams is an award-winning author and genealogist/family historian, having published three books. She is currently the Deputy Registrar for the Sons and Daughters of the United States Middle Passage (SDUSMP), and a former editor of the Journal of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society. She is currently the Project Historian for the Historical Black Families of Sandy Spring project with the Sandy Spring Museum. Orice Jenkins is from Hartford, Connecticut, and is the great-great-grandson of Vandy Hutchins and Betty Horn. He is a recording artist, performer, educator, and genealogy researcher. His most recent album, 'Centennial Cole', is a celebration of a great voice from the past: Nat 'King' Cole. Released on Truth Revolution Recording Collective in September of 2019, this body of work has been featured in Jazziz, JazzWeekly, and JazzTimes magazines. An avid genealogist for over 30 years, Dr. Shelley Viola Murphy, aka "familytreegirl," was born and raised in Michigan. She conducts genealogy workshops at local, state, and national conferences. Murphy is known for her inspiring & interactive "SO WHAT" with genealogy research, along with interesting problem-solving methodology lectures such as the use of Timelines. Murphy is also a coordinator and instructor at the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI) and serves on the Boards of the Library of Virginia. Albemarle Charlottesville and Fluvanna Historical Societies. Music: Sweet Mellow Spice - AK Alexander