Studying genealogy can help students understand local history

Chase LaCoste conducting genealogy research at the
St. Helena Courthouse. 
Photo Credit: Dr.Antoinette Harrell

As a homeschooled student, Chase frequently talks about his American History class with me. For some students, history can be a boring subject. At a young age, he began to accompany me to museums, libraries, and clerk offices. I did my best to prepare him and his siblings for our exciting field trips. His knowledge of Louisiana's sixty-four parishes and their parish seats dates back to his childhood. Today was a different class for him. 

He was taught how to conduct genealogy research at the St. Helena Parish Clerk's Office. The subject of successions and mortgage records was discussed with him. He learned about vendees and vendors. I instructed him to search for properties using the index. He used the index book to guide him to the book that housed the record he was looking for. The smile on his face said it all. He was excited to learn how to used the index books to help him find the records he was searching for. 

In today's class, he learned how to research succession records dating back to 1843. Chase was looking for his paternal ancestor Frank Vining who was enslaved by Jesse and Martha Vining. He learned that the records were written in cursive and he had to read them. Reading and interpreting cursive handwriting in genealogy research can be quite challenging, especially for younger generations who are not accustomed to this style of writing. It requires a keen eye and patience to decipher the words and understand the context of the records. With a magnifying glass in hand, I instructed him to research a record that was one hundred and eighty one years old. He started looking through records in file V-1 for inventory records.

I instructed him to obtain a certified copy of the records after finding them. This was also an opportunity
for me to teach. During this lesson, I wanted to make him aware of the importance of having documents certified.  In the course of paying the employee at the desk. He was instructed to ask the lady who was helping him what certified meant. Teaching in this situation was crucial as it allowed me to impart knowledge and ensure that he understood the significance of having documents certified. By explaining the meaning of "certified" to him, I aimed to equip him with the necessary understanding to navigate similar situations in the future. 

"As soon as you exit the St. Helena Clerk's Office.  We passed the monument belonging to the Old Land Office, and he stopped for a moment to observe it. As I explained to him, it is important to read the historical plaques and monuments.Historical plaques play a crucial role in educating the public about the significance of certain landmarks or events."  

He will never forget this experience. This experience has deeply impacted his perspective on local history and allowed him to see history through the lens of genealogy. Studying genealogy can provide a personal and intimate connection to historical events, as it allows individuals to trace their ancestry and understand how their family history intersects with broader historical narratives.  History came alive for Chase today. What was more excited was to have his grandmother teaching him how to use genealogy as a tool to learn about local history. I can't wait to take him on other adventure that can help enhance his life long educational journey. 

Genetic testing is used by enslaved descendants on Richardson plantation to determine their family relationships

Carl Richardson Descendants

My maternal grandmother's surname name is Richardson. Throughout my childhood, I was acquainted with my grandmother's siblings. My mother frequently shared stories about her mother's relatives and their history. Josephine Richardson, along with her siblings, was born and raised in Montpelier, Louisiana, which is an unincorporated community located in St. Helena Parish. My research delved into the ancestry of my Richardson family, with a focus on my great-grandparents Thomas and Emma Vining Richardson. Through the United States Census, I uncovered valuable information about their lives. Specifically, I discovered that Thomas and his siblings resided in a household with their parents, Thomas and Amanda Breland Richardson.

As I was going through the inventory of the Benjamin and Celia Bankston Richardson Plantation, I found out that my ancestor Carrie and her son Thomas were among the twenty-three enslaved individuals listed. It got me thinking if any of the other enslaved people were related to Carrie. Could one of the women have been her mother, or perhaps her brother or sister? I know of another Richardson family in Tangipahoa Parish, and their ancestral origins are in St. Helena Parish. According to some, we may be related based on oral history, while others dispute this claim. The only sure way to settle this is to undergo a DNA test. Supt. Jimmy Richardson took the Ancestry DNA to get answers.

  Carl Richardson and Joseph Richardson
Descendants

Thomas, son of Carrie, is my maternal 3rd great-grandfather. It was discovered during the inventory
following Benjamin's death in 1855 that Carrie was only twenty years old at the time. The plantation inventory also listed a young man named Nathan, who was fifteen years old then. Nathan later fathered a son named Andrew Richardson. Supt. Jimmy Richardson descends from Nathan Richardson. Recently, my friend Lorraine Lizana informed me that her lineage connects to Thomas and Rebecca Richardson. Through Lorraine, I discovered that her ancestors Thomas and Rebecca are buried in the same cemetery as my 2nd great-grandparents Thomas and Amanda. All of them have been laid to rest in Rocky Hill A.M.E. Church Cemetery. Lorraine descends from Alfred Richardson lineage. Alfred was on the same plantation with Carrie, and Nathan.

Last year, we had individuals whose ancestors were Richardson from Tangipahoa Parish travel to Louisiana to establish a Richardson connection. Their ancestors Carl Richardson's ancestors descends from Louisiana. Their ancestors had to leave the south and they never returned to call Louisiana home again.  

Continuing with the genealogy investigation of Thomas Richardson's lineage, we have discovered another Thomas Richardson, Melbourne McNealty's father Joseph often shared stories about his Richardson relatives. After conducting additional genealogical research, it was discovered that Melbourne's ancestor Thomas arrived in New Orleans aboard a vessel called the State. He was sold to a plantation in St. Francisville, Louisiana.  

I had a conversation with a young named Fagan Davis who shared with me that his family linage traces back to a Richardson family in St. Helena Parish. I asked him about the possibility of taking the Ancestry DNA test to establish and familial connection between us. He suggested that I test his mother who is the daughter of Willie Richardson instead of him. His mother agreed and took the test and now we are presently waiting for the results to come back. After receiving the DNA results, it is important to thoroughly compare and analyze them. To facilitate this process, I plan to schedule a Zoom meeting for everyone to share their DNA matches. This is especially necessary due to the historical separation of families caused by slavery, which often leads to roadblocks in our search for answers.

Earl Richardson, Sr., Dr. Antoinete Harrell, and Supt. Jimmy Richardson, Sr. 
Taking the Ancestry DNA test

Ephraim Bates Succession and Probates 1829, St. Helena Parish Files B-1

Dr. Antoinette Harrell
Conducting Genealogy Research 
St. Helen Parish Clerk's Office

March. 23, 1829- Inventory: a tract of which decd lived 640 a traced called he William tract 640 acres; 13 slaves, etc. Total inventory $14, 569. 

One negro woman named Eda, one hundred dollars.

One negro woman named Hilda, four hundred dollars.

One negro man named Simon, six hundred dollars.

One negro man named Moses, four hundred dollars.

One negro woman named Charlotte, two hundred dollars.

One negro woman  named Rhoda,  four hundred dollars.

One negro woman  named Lydia and her two children, seven hundred and sixty dollars.

One negro woman  named Pleasant, two hundred and eighteen dollars. 

One negro man named Mark, seven hundred and sixty dollars.

Livingston Parish Civil Rights Leader Lester Youngblood

Lester Youngblood
Courtesy of
 Bernice Alexander Bennett
Funeral Program Photo

I'm familiar with the name Youngblood since author and genealogist Bernice Alexander Bennett comes from the Youngblood family. Often she talked about her Youngblood ancestry from Livingston Parish. Recently I was at the Tangipahoa Parish Clerk's Office researching charter documents and found a the charter for the Citizen Voters League. 

Among the 36 names mentioned in the charter was Lester Youngblood. Her confirmation was that there are two Lester Youngbloods: Jr. and Sr. Bernice forwarded me a copy of Lester Youngblood's funeral program. Among the civil rights icons in Head Island, a parish in Livingston, was Lester Youngblood, Sr. 

Lester was born on August, 7, 1914  to Wesley Youngblood and Fannie Walker in Head Island, Louisiana  He passed away on May 32, 1997 at his home. He was married to Dorothy Martin Youngblood. They were the parents of 16 children.  10 daughters and 5 sons: Dora Youngblood  Harris, Elnora Youngblood Quiet, Margie Youngblood Hawkins,  Helen Youngblood Raven, Georgiana Youngblood Jackson, Lillie Youngblood Davis, Jessie Youngblood Hart, Daisy Youngblood Norman, Barbara Youngblood Thomas, Toni Youngblood Jackson. James Youngblood, Elgene Youngblood,  John C. Youngblood and Henry Youngblood.  When he passed away he had 55 grandchildren, 74 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great grandchildren. He and his wife had a very large family 

I used Ancestry to learn more about the man who put his life on the line for the right to vote. Lester realized that during that time in the Deep South. I found information on the U.S. World War II Draft Card. His bright day was listed as 1914, he was born in Head of Island, Louisiana and was employed at McCarrol Lumber Co.  In the United States 1940 Census he was working for as a logger for a Sawmill Company. Lester owned his home in 1940. 

Standing up for that right to vote, Youngblood could have been murdered. That didn't deter him from doing so. In 1955, he organized the Citizens Voter League with 35 other men. Civil rights leaders are often lauded on a national level and dismissed locally. The charter provided the names of brave men such as Lester Youngblood. It wasn't that long ago that he passed away. My hope is that his family members recorded his story. It is possible to gain some insight into the time and period of voting rights in the Florida Parish by learning about a few pieces of the rich history of voting rights for African Americans through documents like this charter.

Source: Funeral Program for Lester Youngblood

             Tangipahoa Parish Clerk's Office 

             Bernice Alexander Bennett

Lynn Dosty Searching Her Badie Family History in East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana

Lynn Dosty
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

Lynn Dosty contacted Dr. Antoinette Harrell, genealogist and local historian to discuss her Badie, Butler,  Keller, Mitchell, and Harrison family history with Harrell. Dosty had ties to East Feliciana Parish through her Badie family history. Their telephone conversation about the Badie family history led Harrell to conclude that it was time for her to travel down south to  Southeast Louisiana to conduct genealogical research. This was her first time to conduct family history research in the parish. 

Dosty desired to be guided by Dr. Harrell's methodology and expertise in genealogy research. In consultation with Dosty, Harrell discussed the itinerary with her to make her genealogy trip a success. Harrell chose to visit start the Badie and Keller research at the East Feliciana Parish Clerk of Court and later to the genealogy department at the Audubon Regional Library in Clinton, Louisiana. 

Her research with Harrell resulted in several marriage records and succession records regarding her Badie family. "As they found records that could prove extremely helpful to the progress of building Dosty's family tree," she was overjoyed. Having completed their research at the library, they subsequently drove around the town taking pictures of the many historic sites and historic homes. 

The following day visited the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to search for vital records and marriage records. Dosty retrieved over certified copies of seventy-six records in a matter of hours. We had planned research to the close of the day, but finished two hours earlier. 

"Dr. Harrell was very professional and she setup an appointment and followed up with a Zoom meeting." She took the time to consult with me regarding some critical findings. "I could not have completed this research without the assistance of Dr. Harrell," said Dosty. According to Dosty, the positive results is due to the beautiful, peaceful, and professional guidance she had with Harrell. Dosty dressed in her camouflage,  the outfit corresponded to her ancestral search.

The Barnett Family and the Land They Owned in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

Janice and Larry Holland
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

I received a telephone call last week from Janice Holland, who was searching for the ancestor of her husband Larry Barnett. Using Ancestry, I search for Larry's ancestor. Janice gave me the name Isaac Barnett and his wife Susie Perry Barnett. Isaac parents were Shelton and Maria Anderson Barnett. According to the 1880 United States Federal Census, Shelton was born in 1820 in Virginia. In 1880 he was living in the 5th Ward, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. Both of his parents were born in Virginia. Shelton could read and write and was a farmer by occupation.

Living in the household with him and his wife were;  his son Isaac (23),  his daughter-in-law Susan (17), his grandsons Willie (2) and Ed Barnett (1/12). Shelton and Mariah was married on August 11, 1879 in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana.  According to the 1870 United States Federal Census, Shelton's personal estate valued at 100 dollars and his Real Estate valued at 400 dollars. Living in the house with his wife was their two sons; Isaac (13) and his John (16).

Isaac and Susie was the parents of: William, Anney, Isaac, Jr., John, Juley, Roday, Mary, and Martha. Please note that I spelled their names the way they spelled on the 1900 United States Federal Census.  On the 1920 United States Federal Census, three other children was born; George, Clyde and Oliver. Isaac could not read  or write. His home was free of a mortgage and his occupation was a farmer.

Larry and Janice were very excited to find documentation dating back to the 1800s about their ancestors. This was the very first time they had seen these types of documents. I invited them to the Amite Clerk's Office to teach them how to conduct genealogy research. Both of them were excited to find the records. They both understand the importance of genealogy. Following the duplication of the records, she gave them to me so that I could have them transcribed. The Barnett family are planning a large family reunion and they asked if I could present our findings.

Larry Holland Researching at the Amite Clerk's Office
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

Tracing Their Steps by Bernice Alexander Bennett

Bernice A. Bennett

A visit to her grandmother's house in New Orleans, a bowl of gumbo and a table full of memories open the door for Bernice Alexander Bennett's adventure to verify that her 2x great grandfather owned a lot of land in Maurepas, Louisiana.  Maurepas is an unincorporated community in the southwestern area of Livingston Parish, Louisiana. Livingston Parish is one the Louisiana Florida Parishes. 

Tracing Their Steps is a Memoir about a journey to show how the power of oral history can serve as a guide to capturing a beautiful family history. You will learn how an African American man born before the Civil War managed to acquire over 159 acres of land during the 19th century under the Homestead Act of 1862. Bennett's research has proven without a shadow of doubt that African Americans were homesteaders. 

This compelling story will keep the reader fixated on how each step and, the many twists and turn in the journey links closer to verifying that the land did exist and further clarifies what happen to this land in the 20th century. Bernice is an award-winning author, genealogist, nationally recognized guest speaker, storyteller, and producer-host of the popular Research at the National Archives and Beyond Blog Talk Radio Program. She is also the first recipient of the  Ida B. Bennett had documented her African America roots in the Orleans, St. Helena and Livingston parishes of Louisiana, as well at the Edgefield Greenwood counties of South Carolina. 

Harrell Inspired Other Genealogist to Donate Their Research Materials

Harrell donating her 2017 collection

My family roots run deep in the Florida Parishes. When I first started researching my family history in the local libraries and university, I couldn't find any records, photographs, and any other genealogy resources outside of the parish courthouse and ancestry.  I know my family has been in the parishes since the founding of the parishes and contributed to the society they lived in. 

They owned their land, they built their one-room schools. African American people in the Florida parishes worked hard to own and maintain their own farms and some owned their own business. They served in the military and not one monument with their names listed can be found throughout the Florida Parishes.  "Why wasn't their contributions documented?" As I moved forward to pursue my own genealogy research as planned. I started collecting photographs, documents, artifacts and genealogical records from other African American families in the Florida Parishes, I had to find a repository to deposit the items collected. 

Bennett donating her family files

In 2012, I called the office of Samuel Hyde, Jr. Ph.D., Professor of History and Director, Center for Southeast La. Studies/Archives to set up an appointment with him to talk with him about the rich collections. After talking with Dr. Hyde, he informed me that he would be happy to archive the collections, and how   important it is to the history of the Florida Parishes. The collection  help fill in the missing pieces of history in the Florida Parishes as it relates to African American people. 

I asked my colleague Bernice Alexander Bennett a Maryland resident, who is the host of "Research at the National Archives and Beyond," author, genealogist, family historian to consider donating her family papers and research to the Center for Southeast La. Studies/Archives. She agreed to donate her collection to the center.  Bennett spends countless of hours researching civil war records for Louisiana color troops at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.

Martin & Royal looking at Harrell's
collection

Another genealogy researcher named Stephanie Quiette-Addison Martin, spent twenty-five years  researching and documenting the history of African Americans in the Florida Parishes, Martin has submitted work to Afrigeneas and to Christine's Genealogy website. She is also published in the "Louisiana Genealogical Register." Martin offered to donate her extensive collection to the Center for Southeast La Studies/Archives. She has collected over 10,000 names. Martin is the Manager of the African American Archives for  Louisiana.

Karran Harper Royal, co-host of "Nurturing Our Roots Television Talk Show," and Executive Director of the Georgetown University 272. Royal is a native of New Orleans and talks about the impact of Georgetown. 272 slaves were sold to benefit Georgetown University.

Words can't explain how delighted and happy I am to hear that these noted and reowned genealogists  and family historians will follow the lead and donate their collections to the center.  

My Maternal 3rd Great Grandfather Robert Harrell Freedmen's Bureau Records

Alexander Harrell, the son of Robert Harrell

A couple of months ago, my friend, colleague and Blog Talk Radio Show host Bernice Alexander Bennett called me with great news. She located my maternal 3rd great grandfather, Robert Harrell and his family in the Freedmen's Bureau Records Labor Contract for St. Helena Parish. I knew that they were sharecroppers, but I had no idea who's plantation or place they sharecropped on. Bernice and I have ancestral lineage that connects both of us to St. Helena and Livingston Parishes, Louisiana.

My mother kept this photograph of Alexander Harrell hanging up in her home before Hurricane Katrina. Years earlier she let me take it to the local printing shop to have copies made. It was one of the photographs she lost during the hurricane. It was a good thing I made copies of the photograph.

I was excited and filled with joy just knowing that piece of the puzzle has been solved. The record listed his names, his wife and children and the name of the woman they leased the land from. The following information is found on the record:

Date: February 27, 1866

Location: Saint Helena Parish

Leasor: Eliza Andrews

Contract with Sandy Lee 25, Robert Harrell 42, Darkis Harrell 30, Delia Boy 18, Aleck Harrell, Anna Harrell 8, Ciller Drandy 64 dependent, Charley Boyd 2. All of the above are family with the exception of Sandy Lee. They are to received quarters and food. School clause omitted. Sandy are to receive as compensated one third of one fifth of the entire crop.

Robert Harrell for himself and family to receive two fifth of the entire crop raised. Food and medical attendance to be furnished the laborers by Eliza Andrew at cost price, the amount of which to be deducted from their respective shares. Contract to commence Feb 27, 1866 and end Dec 1866.

• Louisiana, Freedmen's Bur...Office Records, 1865-1872
• Amite City (assistant sup...b assistant commissioner)

In Touch With Our History in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana

Antoinette Harrell and Bernice A. Bennett researching
family history in St. Helena Clerk's Office

Whenever I visit the St. Helena Clerk of Court office to conduct genealogy research, I prepare myself to spend the entire day. There are so many records and documents to read. The marriage, conveyance and other indexed books are very helpful, if you would like to see the original documents you can tell the employees and they would gladly pull them for you.

After finishing my research in the courthouse I went to the St. Helena Parish Branch library. There isn't many African American genealogy family history books in the library. I made copies of all the family records that I could find of my family members on all side of my family, and any other record that's vital to my family research.  Once I left the library, I visited Rocky Hill A.M.E. church were my 2nd great grandfather Thomas and his wife Amanda Richardson are buried. Their graves were easy to find because they have headstones. Amanda Breland Richardson was born in Livington Parish, Louisiana in the mid 1800s. 

Rocky Hill Cemetery, St. Helena Parish

Several branches of my family roots are deeply connected in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. The Richardson, Hart, Burton, Boykin and Harrell records can be found and I still have relatives that reside in St. Helena Parish. 

My plans is to go back and look at other records that had been buried in the dust. Since I've been traveling back and forth conducting genealogy research, I found one other African American person researching their family history and that is a woman by the name of Myrtis Johnson. Myrtis was looking for slave cemeteries, and I'll never forget the first time she took me to a slave cemetery in St. Helena Parish. There were over forty unmarked graves. She managed to get the graves cleaned off and add some head and foot markers put on the graves. 

I asked her did she know the names of any of the people in the cemetery,  she said that someone gave a few names. I wanted to know if Carrie Richardson was buried in that cemetery. I would like to find other information about Carrie. I do know she was sold to the Kemp family in St. Helena and that's all I know about Carrie.

St. Helena Parish has beautiful land. If you live close by and are looking to take a country scenic ride, St. Helena Parish is the place to visit. I often stop and talk with elderly people who were sitting on their front porch. I enjoy sitting a spell as they would say to talk with them, I soon learn that I'm talking to a walking library so I sit, listen and take notes, especially when you are talking about people they know and events they can recall.  If I'm lucky they will pull out a photograph of their loved ones.   

Sometimes I feel like I stepped back in time, a time when life was much simpler.  My ancestors who were slaves saw the harsh treatment of the slave masters and planters. But they remained in St. Helena and called it home. As a matter of fact, some will tell you that there is no other place they would rather live. The smell of the morning fresh air, trees whispering, birds chirping and the morning dew can be found on the green grass and beautiful meadows.

Most of the people who live there wouldn’t trade the beautiful and quiet parish for life in a busy city.  They will stay their until they are called on to “Glory” as they would say. Genealogy has no ending, I can only research and document what I found until the next genealogist or family historian comes along and pick up where I left off. 

The Precott Plantation In St. Helena, Louisiana

Genealogist and Author Bernice Alexander Bennett

Bernice Alexander Bennett spend long hours conducting genealogy research at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.,  Her genealogy roots are connected to the East Florida Parishes and Orleans Parish. Researching the Freedmen Bureau Records is her specialty. A very special thanks to Bernice for sharing these records with Nurturing Our Roots and Preserving Our History in St. Helena and Tangipahoa Parishes, Louisiana.

The following contract is from the Precott Plantation of St. Helena Parish, dated August 5, 1867. The list below are the names of all the people who was working on the Prescott plantation in St. Helena Parish in 1867. They could read or write, they made their (x) to confirm that they were in agreement with the contract. She found her on maternal great-great grandfather in the slave inventory, he appraised at $1,700 dollars and was purchased for $1, 500 dollars. If anyone with the surname Sweeny, I hope that you find your ancestors on the contract. 

The records by the Freedmen's Bureau through its works between 1865 and 1872 constitute the richest and most extensive documentary source available for investigating the African American experience in the post Civil War and Reconstruction eras. Historians have used these materials to explore government and military policies, local conditions, and interactions between freed people, local white populations, and Bureau officials. 


Name                      Age    Sex

Nathan (x) Sweeny 48    Male
Lotta    (x) Sweeny 19    Female
Ellen    (x) Sweeny 15    Female
Albert  (x) Sweeny 12    Male
Joseph (x) Gordon  42    Male
Sebrum (x) Washington      

Emma Mead Harrell Left Footprints in the Amite City Courthouse

Johnny Harrell researching with genealogist
Antoinette Harrell

My cousin Johnny Harrell and I spent the early morning hours searching for property records on our Harrell ancestors in the vendors and vendees books. Our attention was drawn to the records of their mother Emma Mead Harrell as we looked through the records of Palmer and Jasper Harrell, Sr. Emma Mead Harrell was an assertive woman during her time. In addition to acquiring land and farming it, she also sold the produce at the markets and community.

I was delighted to see a descendant of Alexander and Emma Mead Harrell wanting to know his family's history. Johnny left the Amite City Courthouse with a great deal of gratitude for his paternal great grandmother Emma. His knowledge of her and the legacy she left him was greatly enhanced. This is the first time a descendant of Palmer Harrell has researched the Harrell family history with me.

Emma Mead Harrell was Alexander Harrell's widow. In 1896 and 1902, she purchased land in Tangipahoa Parish from the U.S. 6th Congressional District of Louisiana. Bolivar Kemp was a Democrat who won the primary election for the 6th District seat in 1924 and won the general election without opposition. Esther Edwards Conner, better known as "Lallie" Kemp, was his wife. The Louisiana Hospital Board appointed her to its board in 1937 by Governor Richard Leche, and she passed away in 1943. Independence, LA, named its medical center after her..

Bolivar E. Kemp
Member of the U.S. House
of Representative from
Louisiana's 6th District

My maternal great grandmother Emma Mead Harrell purchased eleven and 64/100 acres of land from Bolivar E. Kemp. They personally appeared before Louis F. Lefevre, a notary public, duly commissioned and qualified in and for the Parish of Tangipahoa, State of Louisiana. This was done in the presence of the witnesses hereinafter named and undersigned. Bolivar E. Kemp, of lawful age, married once, then to Lallie Kemp, Emma purchased the land for consideration of the price and sum of three hundred and no/100 ($300.00) dollars cash in hand. The witnesses were Lorina L. Ponder, Carroll Buck.