![]() |
Monteral Harrell and Carter are 3rd cousins Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell |
My grandson Carter
![]() |
Monteral Harrell and Carter Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell |
church. Most of the women in the
Keeping the family together and bridging
Welcome to Preserving Our History in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes, Louisiana. "Our History, Our Story, Our Legacy!" Dr. Antoinette Harrell is a native of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. She is a genealogist and local historian with a broad emphasis of African Americans in the Louisiana Florida Parishes.
![]() |
Monteral Harrell and Carter are 3rd cousins Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell |
My grandson Carter
![]() |
Monteral Harrell and Carter Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell |
Keeping the family together and bridging
![]() |
Jh'Rhianna Dyson Photo Courtesy: Charity M. Schaffer, Ph.D. |
Jh’Rhianna was trained by her grandfather, Mr. Ricky Brumfield, owner and operator of Brumfield’s Mobile Bull and 2024 Southern University Livestock Show Trailblazer honoree. She is excited about her big win and about showing next year. Jh’Rhianna, we are all so proud of you!
Submitted by: Charity M. Schaffer, Ph.D.
Assistant Area Agent for Youth Development/4-H St. Helena/Tangipahoa
Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center
![]() |
Louis Allen and Toriano Lee Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell |
The murder of Herbert Lee in 1961 occurred during a time of intense racial tensions and civil rights activism in the United States. Lee's death, as well as the subsequent murder of Louis Allen for speaking out about it, shed light on the systemic racism and violence that African Americans faced in the segregated South. These tragic events served as catalysts for the civil rights movement, further fueling the fight for equality and justice.
![]() |
Herbert Lee |
During a
![]() |
Louis Allen |
Amite County, Mississippi, has a long history of racial tension and violence, particularly during the Civil Rights era. This context adds even more significance to the brotherhood formed by Louis and Toriano, as their shared tragedy represents a powerful bond in the face of a troubled past. I walked away feeling emotionally exhausted and drained after listening to their stories. Listening to personal stories is emotionally taxing as it requires me to empathize with the experiences and emotions of others. It can also bring up unresolved emotions or trigger traumatic memories, leading to feelings of exhaustion and depletion. Nevertheless, most of the time it can't be avoided.
![]() |
Chase LaCoste conducting genealogy research at the St. Helena Courthouse. Photo Credit: Dr.Antoinette Harrell |
He was taught how to conduct genealogy research at the St. Helena Parish Clerk's Office.
In today's class, he learned how to research succession records dating back to
for me to teach.
![]() |
Dwayne at the Boykin's gravesites. Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell |
![]() |
Dr. Antoinette Harrell Local Historian and Genealogist in Tangipahoa Parish |
I
When I started in 1994, there were no Black collections at the local genealogy library or the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies. You could any information about
People have regularly contacted me via phone calls and emails to express their gratitude for my research or for documenting their
![]() |
Carter at Swim Meet Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell |
Through the years I have heard many stories of young people drowning.
I lived in New Orleans for
![]() |
Carter at his Swim Meet Photo Credit: Antoinette Harrell |
![]() |
Herbert Temple, Jr. Photo Credit: Chornes/Ancestry |
They were the parents
![]() |
Herbert Temple, Jr. Photo Credit: Noael Alford/Ancestry |
In 1953 he was hired by John H.
"My father's career as an artist presented him with the
Herbert Temple's cousin Collis Temple, Jr., was the first African American to play varsity basketball at Louisiana State University (LSU). Many of Jim Temple's descendants have
![]() |
Dr. Percy L. Walker Photo Credit: Louisiana Weekly |
As a legend within his community, Dr. Percy L. Walker would be an excellent subject for a documentary or book. Dr. Walker was a prominent figure in the fight for civil rights in Tangipahoa, Louisiana, and his life story
![]() |
Patrick, Zelda, Antoinette, Dwayne Siblings found each other through Ancestry DNA |
"Having hit a brick wall, I turned to Ancestry in hopes of finding answers and other clues that would lead me further down the road in my
As Eric Williams and I analyzed Dwayne's DNA and my DNA results together, he informed me that he used Facebook to determine whether we had mutual friends.
![]() |
Antoinette and Dwayne first meeting |
![]() |
Zelda meeting her brother Dwayne for the first time. |
Once again, I was the first to arrive. I wanted it to be this way to capture Dwayne meeting his sister and brother.
![]() |
Patrick and Dwayne |
The strange thing is that Dwayne and I