Black Pro Gen LIVE Archived Episodes from 2018





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What the Genealogy Community is missing in the Discussion about Sen. Elizabeth Warren






In Light of recent events, and the lack of a Loud People of Color Voice in the Discussion, we’ll be having a special episode on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at 5pm Pacific, 7pm Central, 8pm Eastern.




Link to Special Round Table Discussion




This special episode, titled “What the Genealogy Community is Missing in the Discussion About Sen. Elizabeth Warren,” will be 30 minutes. 

Once the 30 minutes has elapsed, we’ll then move to the green room and commence with Episode 70 - "SLAVERY AND THE IVY LEAGUE"  as regularly scheduled.


 Special Guests: Karran Harper Royal and Leontyne Peck.


Share this link with your social media networks: 



Look forward to seeing you all Tuesday Night for a Round table Discussion from our Multi-Generational Exceptional Genealogists from People of Color in the Genealogy Community. 

A Point of View with a Loud Resounding Collective Voice. 


Best Regards, 


Your Co- Host of Black Pro Gen


2019 Black Pro Gen LIVE Survey !




Black Pro Gen LIVE
 Black Pro Gen LIVE - Who is Nicka Smith?



BlackProGen LIVE is gearing up for our 2019 Season and we want to hear from you, our viewers! 


Here's your chance to give feedback on the topics we pick for 2019. 


Participate in our viewer survey today! 

LINKhttps://goo.gl/qJRBVp


The survey will be open until Friday, November 9.


Best Regards, Your Co- Host , 



Daughters of the American Revolution - 127th Continental Congress 2018







Creators of Cool
📸 Photo Credit:  Creators of Cool - Johnathon Sellers 






Greetings  -!

I wanted to share with you all how being a 1st timer at Continental Congress in 2018 for the Daughters of the American Revolution Annual Session was for me personally.

Usually I reserve my Blog for my Ancestors but today, I wanted to share my Personal Diary Entry about what happened. Preserve it - Share and Treasure this Moment. 

Every now and then I have to post a Note to Myself and this is a moment I'm rendering to Myself privately, for you all to read. 


I attended Continental Congress 2018 in Washington DC, 1776 D Street for my Patriot Nicholas Barrick.  I carried the strength and love of my whole family's Ancestors to Continental Congress as a African American woman.  For Chapter and For State. 
 I was representing my whole being, the Womenfolk in my Family who had no Voice, from my Granddaddy Ike Ivery who was Enslaved. All the way to my Patriot. I was their Grand baby and I was there for ALL of them. 

Honored - Highly Favored as a child of God & Blessed to have met President General Ann Dillon and the 42nd Past President General Merry Ann Wright (2010 - 2013)  who was pioneering on recognizing the Women of Color in DAR for their Service was a HONOR. 



As you all have come to know me. I have been Blessed from the Womb. These are Moments that I want to share with you. 






 Thursday 


Thursday morning at 6 am I flew from Louisville  "Luhvul" Kentucky to DC.  My Day started with meet and greets from Daughters all over the World. 


True Lewis





Just arriving by uber at DAR Headquarters and driving up on it was an amazing view. My heart was pounding so fast. All the times over the course of my Life visiting DC and I don't ever remember looking at that Building in the Light that I did. I never thought I'd be a Daughter, it didn't seem possible and it was not on my radar. 

But there I was.....I was a Daughter of the American Revolution coming Home.  



True Lewis


As soon as I get to Constitution Hall. I made a beeline straight for the bathroom to take a deep breath and gather my wits.  As I entered, Karen Batchelor the 1st African American Woman Inducted into DAR was there in the mirror. We hugged and I was just in wonderment. Of all the people I see on my arrival it was Karen. How comforting and divine. 

She gave me a personal tour of Constitution Hall right before she left to go to the NMAAHC. Can you believe of all the people I run into as I arrive it's Karen!?  I knew then everything was going to be alright. She showed me where to pick up my Pre Registration - the Library - elevators and all. 

I also got to meet Mr. Larry! He knew right away I was a First-Timer! He is the Head of Security for Constitution Hall. He even granted me his own Special Pin. They are equivalent to when a Soldier gets a Coin in the Army to me. 

That just goes to show you nothing goes on in Constitution Hall without Mr. Larry knowing about it! Such a Gentleman. 

I hope he knows I felt safe and secure with him walking all around the premises. We Thank You Mr. Larry for your Service watching all the Daughters and Guests and our Home. 




True Lewis









True Lewis
Me and Mr. Aaron at Congress. He is so Appreciated! 



I got to meet Mr. Aaron and tell him how much I appreciate all he does at American Spirit Magazine . He is always so helpful and patient with kindness when I call.  



Pennsylvania Luncheon was held at the Hyatt and our State Regent Cynthia Sweeney did Introductions and Opening Remarks.



 Pennsylvania  "Embraces the Opportunity - To Serve God - Home - & Country". 


Our State gave out numerous Awards - Scholarships - Good Citizens - Our Juniors and DAR Service for Veterans.  National Winner was SSG Earl Granville for Outstanding Veteran Volunteer sponsored by Scranton City Chapter. That was the highlight. His story is Incredible and all that he does for Veterans. 



The room was warm and wonderful with plenty of attention to details. The centerpieces even had meaning with the Poppy - Cornflower Blue and Daisy. Thanks Mrs. Teti. 

Our State Regent had previous Commemorative WW1 Pins and I purchased one for me and Mom. Mom keeps asking me how was she? How was she? Mom, she was with Grace and the Grandest Lady you'll know. Mom wanted to hear every detail. We came in DAR under State Regent Cyndy Sweeney. 

At our Table where 3 poppies saved inside a glass. They were great keepsakes as well. 



True Lewis



Thursday was also Education Awards Night. Citizen of the Year for 2018 - Essay Contest Winners - Outstanding Teacher of American History. Junior Member Contest - 

I also got to get to view the beautifully restored Constitution Hall Stage. I picked up my Lap Blanket. It was for making a donation to Support our Winter Campaign President Generals Project. We all got the Opportunity to sign a piece of cloth to make 3 Quilts that were displayed in the Pennsylvania Foyer. For our Donation we were gifted Lap Blankets of replicas of the quilt displays. It was all to represent our Commitment to Historic Preservation.  


Everyday is started off with the Pledge of Allegiance - The American's Creed - & Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America. 

We sing the Star-Spangled Banner everyday with our hands across our Hearts. 

Our Patriotism was on full Display all week. 

It ends with the retiring of the Colors. 



- Friday - 



Friday Morning me and Cousin Shelley got off to a early start with Breakfast. We roamed the halls and went to Morning Business Session to get Instructions for Voting.  We were both Delegates for our States and Chapter. 





True Lewis







This Day was so dear to my heart and soul, being with Shelley Murphy, and other Daughters  Celebrating the lives of The Forgotten Patriots who are no longer Forgotten. Shelley has really taken me under her wing and has showed so much love and understanding and a whole lot of patience with my nervousness getting me settled in for Congress. Shelley has been instrumental on showing me the proper way to be a Daughter and how to get myself involved in giving back to this Country in Service with the Daughters. She's been such the Mentor.  She showed so much love and was so giving. There was no better way to do Congress for my 1st time without Shelley the whole week. We made another special moment in time for the ages. I know as long as I'm a Daughter my thank you's will not be enough.  Thank You Shelley for everything! 


Service to America Night


Did you know as of 28 July DAR members have Volunteered over 100,908 hours of Service to America?  






True Lewis






- Saturday -


I attended Saturday Business Meeting. Introduction of Special Presentations were made Preserving our Past:  DAR Museum, Americana Collection and the NSDAR Archives.  I was all about getting last minute shopping in and spending some time with my Sisters and meeting so many more.  It's unbelievable how much of a connection I made with so many across the Country. Sisters helping Sisters, sharing and caring for one another. Getting business taken care in Service to America. 


Saturday was also National Defense Night.

This is where DAR comes in for me. I am now a Veteran and I can continue my Service to America in that capacity as a DAR Member. That night is gonna be special to me for the rest of my Membership.  I was so Proud to see all the Awarded on Constitution Hall Stage. It was so rewarding seeing them get recognized for their Service. It was truly Humbling. I got to hang out with a few Texas Daughters that night.  





True Lewis
  

















Following Continental Congress this year, four new benches honored our female Veterans. They will be added to the Daughters Tribute Memorial Garden. Donated by Washington State Daughters, the benches are symbols of comfort, rest and contemplation and were dedicated in a small ceremony on Tuesday, June 19. I thank them for that.  The words “Honoring and Remember Women Who Serve” were chosen to represent not only women veterans, but all women who serve others, including police, firefighters, EMTs and caregivers.


As we "Move Forward" in Service with Patriotism 



The Kansas Chapel has been a place of tranquility since 1962. The recent renovations have allowed this space to become easily accessible and preserve the beauty of the chapel located near the Registrar General’s office. Please stop in and see the all the glorious light come in through the panes. 



 Members of the Corridor Hostesses Committee are the ladies who wear white gloves while holding the ropes during daily processionals of the National Officers, prior to business and evening sessions. The purpose is to establish a corridor for the procession, from the Guest Hospitality area outside the President General’s Reception Room to the center orchestra doors at the back of the auditorium. 

 Me and Shelley got to hold the Ropes on a few occasions during Congress. Every Daughter keeps her white gloves on her person at all times. 
True Lewis
.True's white gloves. 




Insignia Reminder: The DAR official Insignia and ribbon is to be worn over the left breast and only by active members. 




True Lewis




Sunday 

Our Sacred Hour 







The Memorial Service following a Tribute to the Founders and Wreath Laying. 










True Lewis
Daughters of the American Revolution Founders Monument, C Street.



June 16, 2017- June 15, 2018

Mrs. Ann Turner Dillon
President General

Mrs. Pamela Rouse Wright
Chaplain General

"But as for me, I know that my Redeemer Lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God"!

Job 19: 25- 26 










Video of the Full Order of Service






When the State of Pennsylvania is called, We the State Delegation RISE for Pa Daughters during the Tribute to Deceased Members.


3,483 Daughters have gone to Glory.

126 from Pennsylvania.


It was a very somber and humbling Ceremony. The Pages placed a flower on the Dedication Wreath for each State that was called during the Call to Remember. We had a Beautiful Program to go with Sundays Itinerary. The Roll Call of States. State Delegations are invited to Stand when the States are called.  The Chiming of the Hour along with the Lighting of the candles of Remembrance.  The Scriptures were gracefully spoken.  

Ms. Lindsey Grebeldinger had me on the verge of tears a few times.  

Panis Angelicus - Ava Maria - Wind beneath my Wings - The Rose - Amazing Grace - The Blessing - Clair de Lune -Nearer to God to Thee - and the Lord's Prayer. 


The Medley of Spirituals / Postlude played by Denise Bullock touched me the most.  What a way to end Congress to pray, sing and pay tribute to the ones gone ahead of us and to renew our Spirit as we go back to our State and our Chapters to do the work we are so committed on doing. 



Immediately following this Ceremony we went back into the Auditorium in Constitution Hall and had our Installation Ceremony. Followed by Adjournment. 

127TH CONGRESS HERALD

At the above link you can read daily happenings while at Congress.







True Lewis
Forever Memory of my 1st Continental Congress in 2018 





There was so much more to tell and I tried to squeeze it all in one post. Normally I would of broke this up by daily or two days a piece.  

If you have any Questions about DAR please email me and let me see how I can be of assistance.  

DAR is a Treasure to me after my being a Service Member and Veteran, a Army Wife to a Soldier of 20 years. A father who served for 28 years in the Marine Corps and Vietnam and a Grandfather who was a Colored Troop in Normandy during WW2,  and a Son my first born who has done 3 Tours of Duty in 10 years. 

This is the least of things I can do to honor so many who have sacrificed, is to be able to be of Service through this Lineage Organization

As a Woman of Color. I want to reach out to other Women of Color who may be contemplating. These DAR Woman are of all Shades and from every inch of the World with many Nationalities and Diversity, they are waiting on YOU. 

There is room at the Table for you.....

You are TodaysDAR! 
Come join us and Honor your Patriot whether they are Man or Woman and claim your Birthright. Come join us. 



More information about Daughters of the American Revolution  





Continental Congress DAR
📸 Photo Credit:  Continental Congress DAR 






Best Regards,




Your Sister in DAR from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

True Lewis 


Dedicated to my Granddaughters




Named Chairman - Deacon James Lewis











1918 - 2009


Daddy eventually became Chairman of the Deacon Board for Beulah Baptist Church
in Steelton , Pa under Rev. J. C. Wallace for 31 years.

Under the tutelage of Rev. I. J. Johnson, Pastor of St. Mark's Baptist in Toledo, Ohio 1419 Detroit Avenue is where Daddy got his Deacon in Training established. 1952-1963. 

Faces known to Daddy. - Family - Friends- Acquaintances - Neighbors and Babies




My True Roots
Me & Daddy, 1977. 






Thanks for coming by....I finally had some free time to go through Daddy's Army WW2 Footlocker and go through a few things today. 

Below are Photos from one of 5 wallets that Daddy saved over the years. In this one particular wallet he had these photos and they are unknown to me. I didn't see them while he was alive to ask. 

Daddy kept this trunk in the attic of our home that I was born and raised in, locked.

These are just thoughts and theories on what I think about them.

Daddy was from Midway, Bullock County, Alabama. I think these are during the WW2 years.  Most of the great photos that I care for from Daddy are like this in this era and are identified.  

Most of the places Daddy took pictures for himself and family were in Eufaula, or Union Springs, Alabama. 

I don't know if any of them are Cousins or Family of his. Friends or Neighbors? I assume some of the babies are family, but you can never be sure. The two bottom ones look like the same babe.  

I will pass this onto my family. Hopefully they will recognize some faces as well. I sure would love to know their Stories and how Daddy came upon these. 

He was very particular and disciplined on how he kept his wallet. I found a lot of meaning on what was there and what was not. Daddy's wallets and the way he kept them reflect his personality. 

People that intimately know Daddy know that about him. I'm sure this sentiment is about a lot of Southern Gentlemen from that time period. It was truly an intimate and private sacred space for him. 

The day he passed. I held onto his Final Wallet and keys.  Daddy had a special place for them every night on top of his metal file cabinet.  

After we calmed down later the next day. Me and Bettye assigned a specific time with all of our Siblings, his children.  We all sat at the kitchen table together and went through it piece by piece. 

Daddy left a lot of unsaid and direct messages.  He had 371.00 hidden in a part of his wallet he carved out to hide money instead of the usual billfold pocket. Photos. Memories. All of our phone numbers on a card. One day I'll share all of the contents. 



I am hoping you all can pass this blog piece around to your friends and see if anyone can recognize them or has the same photos.

You all can leave me a Comment or Note to let me know what you think or how you feel. I wanted this to be Open for the Public to be passed around for Societies or any Genealogy Circle you think is appropriate. 

Midway, Alabama was very close nit and there were many families there that married into other families. Midway is a mecca for Cluster/FAN Research works. 


Mom use to say to me every Summer. "Don't talk to any boys". They are ALL your Cousins. So they were, by blood or by marriage.  

So hopefully I'll find out one day. How these Women and babies are kin to me. 


It's worth a try





Notes to Myself
Beautiful Faces 














Sewing Kit made in Germany







Notes To Myself
Sew Kit 









Notes To Myself
Sewing Kit 


Another Awesome Find from Daddy's WW2 Trunk 

Daddy has been gone since 2009 and even till this Day he keeps sending me little hints and today was another day after all these years  I had to OPEN the Trunk.

First it was some Photos and then I saw this.  

A Sewing Kit with a Threader. 

I took the photo as best as I could. There isn't a Story here. Just a simple item from a different time to Share as a Keepsake Moment. 

Why did Daddy keep this?  Was this from when he was in Germany during the War? What this Army Issued? Was it something from his home from his Mother? How ever Daddy acquired this it was for good reasoning. 

 His trunk was mostly for his Private use. There weren't too many of my Mom's personal items in there. The things that belonged to her we knew right away, he was very specific about how he had it arranged and what keepsakes meant the most to him. 

He didn't have to many random unexplainable items in there. I think Daddy thought like me, there was something intimate with a connection to the things he kept. Daddy definitely had good reason for many things that I may have thought were out of place, but I could see why.


Just this one unusual sensible item in Daddy's footlocker trunk gave my heart a smile TODAY. 






Thanks for coming by! 



Leave me a Note if you have any more information or clues. 



Clara Ann Sweigard Green • Died over a Tripped Garden Hoe.







Clara Ann Sweigard Green


Clara Ann Sweigard Green is my Great Aunt.  



Born: 4 September 1856

Died:  17 November 1938

Her Parents: 
Andrew Jackson Sweigard & Anna Cassel 
My 2nd Great Grandparents

Husband: Abraham Green 

She was the Oldest of 7 children

Aunt Clara had 4 Children that I know of. 
Bessie - Oliver - Joseph C - Andrew J. 

Aunt Clara was my Grandpa Harry's Aunt. 

Aunt Clara's Death Certificate was very detailed indeed. 

My Mom remembers the 4013 Jonestown Road property where she tripped over that garden hoe and fractured her left hip and had even more complications. Myocardial Degeneration for 7 days. 

We also call Jonestown Road - Progress Avenue or out "On 22". We have several Names for this road growing up. This is a snapshot of this same road. 




 Abraham her husband's Death Certificate says that is where he died at in 1932.  

I'm assuming for now that their daughter Bessie since she was the Informant for her Father's Death Certificate, Bessie had her Mother, Aunt Clara move with her up on North Sixth Street in Harrisburg. 

 Death Certificate also says, she stopped working on November 3rd, 1933. 





Her TIMELINE

1860 -  1870 - 1880

1900 - 1910 and 1920 Census says Aunt Clara & Uncle Abraham were Living in the 4th Ward of Steelton. 

They were Steelworkers and Bessie her Daughter was living with them well into her late 20's and working there as well as Typist or Bookkeeper. 

1920-1930 They moved back out to where my Aunt Clara's people were in Dauphin County, Linglestown, Pa, my - Sweigard's. Eventually living with her Son. 


Her Life ended in 1938. 


She is buried in our family plot. Shoop's Cemetery. Harrisburg Pa Dauphin County. 

I've been there many times.


Plot: Section 2-D 2-AA






Genealogical Sketch of my Relationship with my Great Auntie Clara










Note To Myself: In Remembrance







Marriage License for Homer Sellers Sr. & Blanche Smith - Grandson of a Slave.











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