Cedrick Womack preserving the history of syrup making in St. Helena Parish

Cedrick Womack
Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell

I met Cedrick Womack early this year while touring farms in Lexington, Mississippi. As a child, Cedrick worked with cattle and sugarcane. Growing up on the family farm, he learned about agriculture by following his father John Womack. He is the only child born to his parents John and Mary McClendon Womack. As we talked, he expressed his desire to preserve this rich family tradition. He also expressed his concern that it would become a thing of the past if it is not preserved. 

"My father and uncles are getting older," said Cedrick. "I don't want to see this tradition die," he said. His aim is to teach other youth who may express an interest in syrup making how to make it as well. 

As with quilts, basket weaving, woodcarving, and other handcrafted arts, syrup making should be preserved. One way of preserving the syrup-making culture is to pass it on to future generations. The joy of making syrup and spending quality time with family and friends are Cedrick's motivations for making syrup. He knows all to well that it's not for the money.

At forty years old, it is clear that both his father and uncles had a positive influence on him. When he thinks about what his uncles have taught him throughout his life, his eyes glisten with pride. According to Cedrick, each of these men is capable of doing anything. Plumbing, electricians, carpenters, they do it all. 

"When my father was younger, he never sat down and took a break. I see him slowing down a bit now," Cedrick said. Therefore, it is so crucial for me to learn everything i can from each of them. My dad used to take his sugarcane to Mr. James Baker for grinding and making syrup. As Mr. Baker is no longer making syrup, I told my dad we could do it ourselves. 

They began putting things into motion after his father agreed. The shelter was built, and aluminum pans were made. Cedrick and both of his parents began digging the hole and constructing the brick oven. To prevent smoke from escaping on the sides of the pans, they packed the pans with red clay dirt.  On Cedrick off days and after work he made his way to St. Helena to help his family. 

The way he worked with his parents, uncles, and others really impressed me. Next year, he wants an outdoor stove built so they can make homemade biscuits to go with the homemade syrup. This can only be understood by someone from the south. Yes, of course! As anyone who has had this breakfast can tell you, it was delicious 

Richardson and Richardson DNA Testing to Find Out if They Are Related

Ancestry DNA Testing
Photo Credit: Wallace Gilmore

How often have you heard of two sets of people with the same last name living in a small community? "As a matter of fact, " I have heard of it quite often. In the absence of genealogical research or DNA testing, how can they be sure there two separate families with the same last name that has no genealogical connections? As far back as I can remember, my Richardson family has always spoken of another set of Richardson who also live in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes, Louisiana. 

Both of our families have known each other all our lives. I must mention that Superintendent Richardson's uncle John Wesley Richardson was a witness in my grandparents Jasper Harrell, Sr., and Josephine Richardson Harrell wedding. Another point of interest, Emmitt N. Richardson was witness at the wedding. According to some of my family members, Supt. Alonzo Richardson, Jr., frequently referred to my family as cousins. 

As part of my research into my Richardson family lines, I was conducting advanced research into my ancestors who were held as slaves on the Benjamin and Celia Bankston Richardson plantation in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana. On the 1855  inventory list of Benjamin Richardson, I discovered by my maternal ancestors Carrie aged 23 and her child Thomas aged 1. A total of twenty-three enslaved people were held on the Richardson plantation. One of the enslaved was a fifteen-years-old boy named Nathan. I learned that Supt. Jimmy Richardson is a descendant of Nathan. 

Recently, I had a lengthy conversation with Earl Scott Richardson, Jr., a maternal cousin 3x removed. I asked him if he would take a DNA test to find out if we are related to the other set of Richardson's. He agreed to take a DNA test to determine if we are related to the other set. I was wondering which Richardson I could test from the other set of Richardson's that descends from Nathan Richardson? However, I asked Supt. Jimmy Richardson to contact me through Facebook. Once he called, we discussed the same subject and decided it was time for us to conduct DNA testing to get some answers. I asked him if he would take a DNA test, he agreed and was gratified to do so. 

I met Earl Scott Richardson, Jr., and Superintendent Jimmy Richardson at Richardson Funeral Home, Inc. Amite to take the DNA test. We were all delighted and will wait patiently with anticipation for the results in six to eight weeks. This is something that is long over due. 

Earl S. Richardson, Jr. and Superintendent Jimmy Richardson

                                                               

Unanswered Questions

1. Was the enslaved people on Richardson Plantation related?

2. Could Carrie and Nathan be brother and sister?

3. Who are the other Richardson on the plantations we should be testing?

4. What information could the DNA test provide for us?

5. Can the DNA test help us find the descendants of others who were on the plantation?

Leontine Dupree Live/One More Sunny! A Native of Independence, Louisiana

Herbert Willie Vining

Herbert Willie Vining
Source: Ancestry

Herbert was born on March 5, 1903 in Montpelier, St. Helena Parish, Louisiana to Butman and Eva Vining. . He farmer by occupation and worked on his own account. Herbert was married to  Easter Vining. His sibling were: Ivy, Hosy, Christina, Florence, Francis, Frankie  and Hazel Vining. According to the 1930 United States Federal Census. 

Harrell Researching at the Hill Memorial Library on LSU Campus

Research at the Hill Memorial Library
Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

In the course of researching my paternal and maternal family history, I traveled to many research facilities with high hopes of finding new information and new leads.There have been many visits to the local libraries, the Louisiana State Archives, the Clerk's Office, Universities, and other research facilities in the area where my ancestors lived. My ancestors were enslave on plantation in the South, so I began looking for records on them. LSU has a very helpful finding aid that I found to be very helpful. 

The finding aids are descriptions of archival collections at LSU. They provide biographical or historical information about the creator. Details about what type of materials that can be found in the collection. It is always helpful when there is a finding aid. Believe it or not, there are records that doesn't provide a finding aid. Any research will tell you how it helps to have a finding aid. 

When there isn't a finding aid, it's a disappointment, because it means that you have to physically look through every document, and hope that you find find something which his helpful to your research. Also keep in mind that looking at the finding aid online can save you a lot of time when you get there. 

One thing to note is that LSU doesn't have many collection related to African-Americans. As a matter of fact, most of the research facilities that I have researched don't have many collections dedicated specifically to African-Americans. 

My primary reason for starting my collections was because of this very reason. It had been a very problemous process getting African Americans to donate their materials for preservation. In the future, I hope that I will be able to continue to educate and promote the importance of preserving our records outside of our homes for many reasons. 

Mary Aaron of Amite, Louisiana

Mary Aaron

Mary Aaron was born around 1879 in Amite, Louisiana and died in 1962. She is buried in Butler Cemetery in Amite, Louisiana.  I used the U.S. Federal Census to learn more about Mary. In 1930 she was renting a house in Amite, Louisiana and had one son Emile, twenty-years old living in the house with her. Mary was married to Nelson Aaron in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Bernard Temple the First Child in Louisiana Takes the African Ancestry DNA Test

Bernard Temple 
Mailing his African Ancestry DNA Test 

Bernard was the first child to take the African Ancestry DNA to learn more about his paternal African Ancestry. It was an extraordinary occasion for him. We traveled to Virginia to have him take the test near the Atlantic Ocean. We stood on the beach looking out across the ocean, talking about the day we would travel to Africa.

That summer, we packed the car and drove to North Carolina to museums, antique shops, parks, and having fun as a family. My ex-husband and I shared the driving. While in Greensboro, North Carolina, we met with some Tuareg People Moussa Albaka introduced us to. Dennis and I were planning to travel to Niger, Africa, in a few months.  We wanted to make some connections with people in Niger before we made our trip.

During his forth grade year at Audubon Montessori school in New Orleans, his class was given an assignment to do a special project on his family origins and history. He was extremely excited because I had taken my maternal African Ancestry DNA and my test results revealed that our maternal ancestry could be traced to the Tuareg People of Niger, Africa. 

Moussa Albaka arranged to have a special outfit from Niger sent to New Orleans for Bernard to wear that day. He wore Tuareg handmade Tuareg jewelry made by the Moussa himself, the Tuareg Silversmith. Bernard also had to bring a dish from the native culture. We decided to bring goats cheese because the Tuareg people eat a lot of home made camel and goats cheese.

Audubon Montessori was a school of diversity and many of the students were from different ethnic groups and cultures in his class. That day the students took us around the world. We travel to India, Mexico, Italy,  Asia, Europe, and Africa. We were so proud of him for getting an "A" on his assignment. 

Unidentified African-American Photographs at Louisiana State Archives in the Britten Collection

Unidentified
Source: Louisiana State Archives

Last week while conducting genealogy research at the Louisiana State Archives in Baton Rouge, La., Bill Stafford, Louisiana State Archives Research Library Administrator, went into his office and came out with a box of unidentified photographs of African-Americans from the Britten Family Collection.

I was delighted to see the beautiful unidentified photographs. I did recognize an original postcard of the  Tangipahoa Parish Training School for the Colored in  Kentwood, Louisiana. I took photographs of some of the pictures to share on my social media sites. I decided to Live-Stream a special video on my Facebook page asking anyone who knows the Britten family to contact me concerning this collection. 

Bill said that someone dropped them off at the archives. At least the family didn't throw them away. That evening, Eric Williams and Ann Hurst reached out to the Britten family to see if the Britten's they know could help us identify anyone in the photographs. 

Unidentified
Source: Louisiana State Archives

Unidentified
Source: Louisiana State Archives

Three African-Americans Broke the Segregation Lines in St. Helena Parish

Three African American students broke the segregation lines in St. Helena Parish. It was in 1964, that the brave students faced one of most difficult times in their life. They were escorted by their parents and marched by police into the red brick building know as Greensburg High School.  

The school was surrounded with people from the tow, news reporters, and photographers. They were kept back by the state police from approaching the school. There wasn't any reports of incidents, although it was reported that several crosses were burned over the week in the newspaper article. 

Georgia Lea Gordon 17,  David Howard, 18, and Charles Hall-were accepted under a federal court order directing St. Helena Parish to desegregated the 11th and 12th grades. These students are the Ruby Bridges of St. Helena Parish.  Four later after Ruby Bridges desegregated the all-white Williams Frantz elementary in New Orleans, LA. 

Left: Ann Lee Hurst-Right: Georgia Lea Gordon
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

Source

The Time (Shreveport, Louisiana)  August 1964

Melvin Finn Was the Amite First Black Policeman

Melvin Finn was appointed as the first black policeman in Amite on August 15, 1966. His duties were to patrol the black areas of Amite. He was ordered to limit any action to the black sections of the town and black citizens. Of course, after establishing himself as a policeman capable of handling any detail these restrictions were brought forward and conditions were changed.

Officer Finn was named Assistant Chief of Police in 1981. He retired in August 1990 after serving 24 years. He was married to Ora L. Finn. They have three children and three grandchildren. Melvin is a member of Butlers AME Zion Church in Amite.

SourceL The Collection of Henry Jackson.

Colors of Tangipahoa Project

Home Going Service For Sister Bertha Vining Oden

1932-2015

Bertha Vining Oden was born on June 9, 1932 tot he late Monroe Vining and Louise Hill Vining in St. Helena Parish. God decided that he needed a beautiful flower to add to his garden so on the morning of September 29, 2015, he called her home where the sweet fragrance of her blossom could be enjoyed by Heaven's Host. Her family and all who knew her have been left with a vid caused by the pain of such a great loss of one who was so loving and dear to them, yet through it all we give thanks to God for having allowed us to share in a life that was beautiful and loving as her's.

Sister Bertha joined Little Bethel Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Willard Vernon. She later attended Butler A.M.E. Zion Church with her niece and great nieces, most recently during her time of illness, she insisted on going to New Hope Baptist Church with her great great nieces until she was hospitalized. Sister Bert leaves to cherish her precious memories: one sister, Mattie Butler of New Orleans, Louisiana; four children she raised as her own, Latoya, Daniel and David Butler all of Amite, Louisiana; Kim Muyaka of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; five God-children, Fred Vining of Pontiac, Michigan, Carolyn Watts of San Diego, California, Tyrone Butler of New Orleans, Louisiana, Melvin Martin, Jr., of Baton Rouge, Louisiana., Bradley Nichols of Fort Drum, New York; great/caregiver whom she lived with Mertrell Butler of Amite, Louisiana; great niece, Sheila Addison and great-great nieces, Nikalya Battiste and Nicole Butler who also cared for her as she endured good and bad days; two uncles, Wesley and Charles Vining of New Orleans, Louisiana; one aunt, Betty Jean Nicholson of Houston, Texas. A host of sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Sister Bert was preceded in death by her husband, Allison Oden, Jr., her parents, Monroe and Louise Vining, six brothers: Adam, Vercey, Ercey, Johnny, Willie and Monore; four sisters, Georgia, Lillie, Ethel Mae and Ruby and a beloved niece and nephew, Dorothy Dell Addison and Raymond Vining.

In Loving Memory of Bro. Johnnie Boykins

Johnnie Reed Boykins

Celebrated and loved by his family and all those he came into contact with,  Johnnie Reed Boykins transitioned to his rest with his Lord and Savior on June 4, 2014 at 10:30 p.m., at the Rehab Department of Kentwood Manor Nursing Home in Kentwood, LA.

Mr. Johnnie R. Boykins, Jr., was born on December 24, 1934 to the late Elnora Tillery Boykins and Johnnie R. Boykins, Sr., After the passing of Johnnie Boykins, Sr., Ms. Elnora was then united in holy matrimony to the late Linnie Walls, Sr., and he stepped up as Johnnie's stepfather and continued to raise him into the great man that everyone came to know. Johnnie was married to the late Amanda Bush Boykins and to this union 6 children were born. Years after the passing of Amanda, Johnnie married his current wife, Helen C. Bates of Kentwood, LA.

Johnnie was baptized and reared from an early age of Community Missionary Baptist Church in Fluker under the leadership of Rev. Bruce Hunter.  Johnnie was a graduate of the class of 1955 from Westside High. He attended Leland College in Baker, LA majoring in Culinary Arts. He later chose to join the military where he served our country for a number of years and received honorable discharge. Johnnie worked many years as a Long Shore man on the river were he remained dedicated until his retirement. After he retired, Johnnie became a successful entrepreneur and owner of various businesses: JR Boykins Trucking, Boykins Vault Company, and Angelic Funeral Home along with Mr. Darrell Calvey.

Johnnie will always be remembered for the love he shown others. He believed that every young man and woman should receive a proper education and be afford the opportunity to make something of

themselves. He sought to improve the African American community and surrounding communities. He often took many high school students to Mississippi Valley College and assisted them in registering in school and many received scholarships.  Johnnie did this out of his own expense. In many ways, he was a philanthropist and it meant everything to him to see a child become successful. His loving kindness was recognizable by any and everyone he met. He had a giving spirit and he would shared everyone he could if he was able to and he will forever be remembered for that.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his loving and devoted wife of 12 glorious years, Helen Bates Boykins; five sons: Darren, Wendell, Derrick, and Lyndon (Terry) Boykins of New Orleans, and Brian Richardson of Amite; two daughter; Rosalind of New Orleans, and Brittany Dillion (Brandon) of Amite; two God-daughters; Melody Showers of Hammond and Katherine Thomas of Fluker, a great nephew: Bobby J. Ginn; three brothers: Linnie Walls, Jr (Birdie) of Fluker, Percy Boykins (Ethel Bell) of New Orleans, and Hollis J. Walls (Mary Ann) of Houston, TX; one sister Darletta Turner ( Emile) of Baker; 12 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; and a host of sister-in-laws, brother-laws, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Johnnie was preceded in death by his mother, Elnora T. Walls; father, Johnnie R. Boykins; stepfather, Linnie Walls, Sr., brother Willie Boykins, sister Deloris Walls and son Tracy Boykins.

The Mose and Idella Williams Dudley Family History

Charlie Collins, Sr. 

Remembering home, remembering the old landmark, remembering what was our fondest memories for me and many of my cousins as we approach fifty. Many of us in our own immediate families and some of us having grandchildren, they're my first-cousins, my close friends it all seems so unreal.

Because now we are telling our newest family members of what we took for granted our-- family history of gathering together on Sundays to watch our family softball team that played every Sunday in Kenner at the old Morgan playground field, The Cade Raiders and The Cade Raiderettes.

My grandparents, Charles Cade Sr., and Mable Dudley Cade had sixteen children, eight boys and eight girls. Like most large families, they did everything together; they lived, loved and played together as a family—they instilled that in us that family is important, and that family was first, and  keep your faith in God. For the longest of time, because I had so many first cousins, my first cousins were my friends. My cousin Thomas Brown was my best friend for the longest time. I have four cousins the same age as I am.  Even to this day, I think this is the benefit of growing up in a big family, but close family. We all know as cousins that we always have each others back because we’re family. I think my grandmother stressed this too us because she was the only daughter of Mose and Idella Williams Dudley. My grandmother had one brother O.D. Dudley.

Mose Dudley

We remember her always talking about her childhood in Tangipahoa Parish. I remember her talking about Tangipahoa Parish and Amite, LA.,  So whenever, our extended family came from Amite to visit New Orleans on a weekend, It was always a fun time that would last all day Friday and  throughout the weekend: Aunt Sydney, Aunt Daisy, Cousin Latham, Uncle Oscar, Uncle Bud, Aunt Maggie, Cousin Mildred, Cousin Ann, Cousin Shirley, Cousin Norma Jean,  and Cousin Betty. Words couldn't expressed how happy everyone were to see each other and how happy everyone were to just get together as family either in Amite or in New Orleans-The Dudleys and Cades.

I can go on and on about great times with our family as most of my cousins can share, the food, the laughter, oh we did a lot of laughing together, a lot of good nature teasing, kids everywhere playing, kids jammed into the living room on pallets, but I think we would all give anything to hear our grandmother or Aunt Mae saying, “hey baby, come on in”

Melvin Collins III

Harrell Men of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana WWI and WWll Registration Draft Cards

Henry Harrell
World War I

Henry Harrell
 Birth Dec 23, 1888

On May 18, 1917, the Selective Service Act was passed authorizing the President to increase temporarily the military establishment of the United States. The Selective Service System, under the office of the Provost Marshal General, was responsible for the process of selecting men for induction into the military service, from the initial registration to the actual delivery of men to military training camps.

On May 18, 1917, the Selective Service Act was passed authorizing the President to increase temporarily the military establishment of the United States. The Selective Service System, under the office of the Provost Marshal General, was responsible for the process of selecting men for induction into the military service, from the initial registration to the actual delivery of men to military training camps.

My grandfather Jasper Harrell, Sr.,  and his brothers Edgar, Henry, Alex, Palmer, Shelton, and Warner Harrell's  World War I and II Draft Registration Cards. My mother always told the story about the day my grandfather had to go and registration for the service. She said that a man name Tony Ardillo went with my grandfather and told the branch representative that my grandfather had a wife and nine children to provide for and somehow my grandfather didn't go into the service. He and his brother Palmer Harrell remained in Amite, Louisiana and provided for their families. 

Shelton Harrell, Sr.
Birth: August 23, 1885

Warner Harrell
Birth: June 20, 1892

Jasper Leorn Harrell
Birth: January 29, 1911

Alex Harrell
Birth: March 15, 1894

Palmer Roscoe Harrell
Birth: October 28, 1900

Edgar Harrell
Birth: April 17, 1896

Slaves of Williams Boykin of St. Helena Parish

Williams Boykin,  1829   File B-3

July 30, 1829- Petition of late wife of Williams Boykin decd. He left property and the following heirs; Susan Boykin, wife of Simpson Hutchinson; with two minors James 19, Frank 17. She requests that here son John Boykin be appointed curator with petitioners, that and inventory be made.
July 10, 1851-In a suit Daniel Weston VS John Boykin et el: by s writ of geri facies issued, the sheriff J.J. Gormon has seized and will sell at the courthouse door at Greensburg on the first Saturday in Sept. 1851, all the title of John Boykin in the following: 540 acres bounded W. by Joiner Greek, N. by Mrs. Rachel Boykin, C. by Pearson Celis, S. by Leonard tract; also the interest of John Boykin in the succession of his decd father William Boykin, viz; the undivided interest in the following: 340.2. acres, being S.5. T 2, S 4, also slaves. (No further papers found.

Souces: St. Helena Conveyance Book

Westside High School Class of 1965

Westside High School in Amite, Louisiana was segregated in 1965. Several of my family members were in this class. My Uncle Herbert Harrell and cousin Oliver Jackson, Sr.,  I would like to thank Luther Tolliver for posting this photograph. Luther graduated with this class as well.

I am happy to see that many African Americans people through out the Tangipahoa & St. Helena parishes community have preserve a part of our history.

Source: Luther Tolliver

Clotidle Aaron Zanders of Amite, LA

Clotidle Aaron Zander, one has to think in terms of memories. She was born in Amite, Louisiana, on December 27, 1912, to the late Mike and Maggie Bush Aaron. Clotidle was known for her love of house plants, beautiful yard, and dressing for church on Sunday. Her interest in plants was enhanced with a membership in the the Gladiola Garden Club.

She served the church as president of the usher board as well as the Willing Workers Club, Class leader of the Youth and later as Leader of Leaders. She was a gifted seamstress. She also fed many West Side students during her tenure as manager of the cafeteria for twenty seven years, finally retiring on June 2, 1978.

Her marriage on July 25, 1929, to her childhood sweetheart, Robert Zanders, lasted for 55 years, 8 month. From this union was born one daughter, Delores. She departed from this life on Tuesday morning, November 16, 2010 at her home.

She leaves to cherish her memories: one daughter, Mrs. Delores Z. Levy, Amite., A very special thanks to Mrs. Yvonne Collins for sharing the obituary of Mrs. Clotidle.

The Legacy and History of Elder Roosevelt Harrell, Sr.

Elder Roosevelt Harrell, Sr.

Elder Roosevelt Harrell, Sr., was born to Jasper Harrell, Sr., and Josephine Richardson Harrell in Amite, Louisiana. He attended O.W. Dillion High School, Kentwood and was a graduate of Westside High School, Kentwood, and Capitol Area Vocational School.

A friend to many and a humanitarian who gave so unselfishly to his family, his church and the community, who served as a spiritual advisor to those living with HIV/AIDS, who fed the hungry and provided clothes and shelter to the homeless, he died peacefully at 4:00 a.m., Tuesday, Oct, 23, 2001, at his residence in Slaughter, LA.,  at the age of 65 years old.

His service station was a haven for anyone in need. He was the retired owner and operator of Plank Road Automotive, he was also a U.S. Army veteran. Elder Roosevelt Harrell, Sr., was the pastor of Gordon Harrell Church of God in Christ, and a member of Richardson Chapel Church of God in Christ for 21 years. He is buried in Port Hudson National Cemetery.

He met and married his high school sweetheart Mildred Abbott Harrell, they were married for 40 years.; a son, Roosevelt Harrell Jr., and his wife, Wyomma; a daughter, Rolanda Gayle Harrell Jackson.  His siblings are the late Jasper Harrell, Jr., the late Catherine Harrell, the late Frank Harrell, the late Herbert Harrell, the late Leon Clarence Harrell, the late Raymond Harrell, Sr., Isabel Harrell Cook, Deloris Harrell Washington, and Henry Harrell.

It gives me great pleasure to write about my maternal uncle Roosevelt Harrell, Sr., a man who was very quiet and a man who spoke with great wisdom. There are so many qualities I can write about when it comes to my uncle. He kept a beautiful and loving smile on his face whenever he greeted you. Whatever you shared with him in confidence stayed with him. You could count on the fact that he wouldn't betray your confidence. Uncle Roosevelt also talked with me about saving and investing, the importance of buying your own home and must importantly serving the All Mighty Creator.

He is truly missed and I often think about him and try to apply some of the lessons my uncle shared with me. Uncle Roosevelt was a man that stood for righteousness, he was a kind of man that didn't bragged about material things. He didn't put others down to uplift himself. He truly left an example for us to follow and to live by. He never fell to tell you that he loved you and not to mention giving you a big hug. Miss you uncle Roosevelt!

Black Cowboys of Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parish, Louisiana

Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

It wasn't until this past summer,  I learned something about the Black Cowboys Associations in Tangipahoa & St. Helena. This summer I had the pleasure of joining one of the trail rides in Clinton, Louisiana. Many of the men and women have been riding horses since they were toddlers. It often reminds me of the documentary " Forgotten Cowboys."

Little is known about the history of black cowboys in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes. Before the trans-Atlantic slave trade, many former slaves were cattle herders. Before being sold into slavery in America and other European Nations, African men were men who owned cattle, camels, goats, sheep, and horses.  They weren't called cowboys in Africa, they were called herders. Herders can be found in every country in Africa. I had the opportunity to visit Niger, West Africa, where I saw the cattle herdsmen.

After I interviewed several men and women who attend the trail ride that weekend, learned that riding horses is in their blood.  Some of them had their wives, children, and grandchildren riding with them.  Caring for and taking care of horses is what they do. Listen to music from the blues to zydeco and the smell of barbecue that leaves your mouth watering. Calf roping is also known as die down roping is a rodeo event. The while the cowboy rides his horse try and catch the calf while throwing a rope from a lariat around its neck. He dismounts from the horse, runs to the calf, and restrain it by tying three legs together in as short a time as possible. The origin derives from the duties of actual workings cowboys, which sometimes required catching and restraining calves for branding or medical treatment.

The riders were young and old they started to saddle up the horses, over a hundred people were on horses and the others followed on a flatbed, wagon and buggies listened to music, dancing and having a cold beer. Riding club wore their shirts proudly and hand out promotional flyers to promote their upcoming trail ride. Fancy hats and fancy boots were the order of the day.

Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.

This past summer I went to a cow-roping in St. Helena Parish at the arena owned by Richard  Johnson. The black cowboys pulled up with their horses and rope to lasso calves and cows. It was my first time ever attending a cattle roping event. Some of the cowboys came from far as Arkansas to rope cows. The history is not taught in schools, or at least I wasn't taught the history of the black cowboy.

Most of the black men and women who ride grew up on a farm. According to the 2011 NBC News report on black cowboys, it's estimated that up to 25 percent of the cowboys in the  West were black. And some of them are famous. I searched the internet high and low and couldn't find anything about the black cowboys in Tangipahoa & St. Helena Parishes, Louisiana. I met over one hundred men and many women who rode and rope calves. My brothers used to play cowboys and Indians as little boys. Growing up they watched Roy Rogers and Bonanza. The only role a black man played in those movies where-- saddling, caring for and shoeing the horses as slaves are hired to help. Not only did black cowboys not make the movie screen but they never made the history books either.

African-Americans were cowboys, ranchers, gold miners, stagecoach drivers, hunters, trappers, lawmen, as well as explorers.  African-Americans played a major and vital role in the way the West was won. The largest black rodeo is the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo, named after a Louisiana-born black cowboy, son of a former slave, who around the turn of the century invented steer-wresting, better

Photo Credit: Walter C. Black, Sr.known as bull-dogging.

Although I haven't traced my root back to any cowboys or cow-girls yet, I know the history is very important. My eyes and knowledge were open to learning more about the untold story of the black cowboys. There is so much of our history that needs to be researched, documented and recorded.

Links to more information about "Black Cowboys"

http://johnferguson.prosite.com/4751/422023/gallery/the-forgotten-cowboys

http://blacktrailriders.com/

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/ranchhouse/pop_blackcowboy.html

http://nycfederationofblackcowboys.com/