American Patriot - Troy Public Radio's: In Focus My True Roots Journey to the American Revolution

American Patriot: My True Roots to the American Revolution

I was honored to join Carolyn Hutcheson on Troy Public Radio’s In Focus for the “Genealogy in Your Genes” series. In February of 2026. 

During our conversation, I shared how family history, documentary research, and DNA helped me trace my lineage to my Revolutionary War Patriot, Nicholas Barrick. This journey is about more than finding a name on a family tree. It is about understanding how the lives of those who came before us continue to shape our identity, our service, and the stories we preserve for future generations.

Listen to the interview below.

True's Interview on In Focus Troy Public Radio

[Listen on the official Troy University Podcast Network] 

https://today.troy.edu/podcasts/in-focus-with-carolyn-hutcheson/american-patriot-tprs-in-focus-feb-19-2026/

Daughters of the American Revolution Joins 10 Million Names Project to Honor the Family Histories of African Americans Whose Ancestors Lived Under Slavery

Daughters of the American Revolution Joins 10 Million Names Project to Honor the Family Histories of African Americans Whose Ancestors Lived Under Slavery

 DAR to share its Patriots of Color research to be included in American Ancestors’ project aimed at recovering the names of people enslaved in America and locate their living descendants. 

Aisha & True & Harriet Tubman • Underground Railroad

.@MyTrueRoots #UndergroundWGN it's an honor to be taught the way to live, by her story pic.twitter.com/VuW7eD0g0f

— Aisha Hinds (@AishaHinds) April 12, 2017

The Granddaddy at FamilyHiSTORIES Podcast Guest True Lewis with Host Andrew Martin Season 2 Episode 2

Thank You to Andrew Martin of FamilyHiSTORIES Podcast !

I feel like I was in London for the Day! I’m most appreciative and blessed to be introduced to a whole new audience in Europe.

It's always timely for me to Introduce and have a wee bit of conversation about Granddaddy Ike.

Andrew was a great and intense Listener and studied my family history very closely. It was a joy to do and I felt honored to be asked to be a part of this Podcast!

"In the second episode of Series Two – The Granddaddy – Andrew gets to meet genealogist True Lewis. He’ll be finding out how she got started in her research, what challenges she has faced in researching her enslaved African-American ancestors, how she joined the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and about her work with Nicka Sewell-Smith as Co-Host of Black Pro Gen LIVE."

Click the LINK to Listen as I go through a few clues on my brick wall on my 5th Great Grandmother Anna Maria Lambert of Pennsylvania and Introduce everyone to my Enslaved 2nd Great Grandfather Ike Ivery of Alabama.

FamilyHiSTORIES Podcast

Black History Month Series on BlackProGen LIVE

Are you ready for our Black History Month Series? 

2019 Black History Month Series airing on Tuesdays at 6pm PDT/8pm CDT/9pm EDT on YouTube:

There is a "Set Reminder" on each Episode to remind you the DAY of the Episode, because we know you will not want to MISS! 

#76 - February 5 - Reconstruction and the Aftermath Named Jim Crow
https://youtu.be/S0MjcqHCDak

Reconstruction was a pivotal time in American history that often gets overlooked, especially in genealogy. During episode 76, we’ll discuss how the law and shifting community dynamics affected our ancestors on both sides of the aisle and the resulting restrictions enacted as a response.

#77 - February 12 - Connecting with the Slave Holder’s Descendant
https://youtu.be/XwWtjkiNDqc
Special Guests: Norm Davis, Thomalind Polite, Edward Ball

Slavery is a complicated topic to research solo, but can provide new experiences, finds, and more when done in concert and shared with another researcher. In this episode, we’ll delve into the unique world of relations and connections being forged between the descendants of the formerly enslaved and descendants from the former slave holding family.

#78 - February 19 - Tales from the Undertaker: African American Cemeteries and Funeral Homes
https://youtu.be/cT7ceiUdSFI

“Who’s got charge of the body?” is a time honored and loaded question uttered upon the death of a relative in the African American community. Episode 78 will discuss the history and legacy of African American cemeteries and funerals along with how to utilize their records as crucial genealogy resources.

#79 - March 5 - Ask Mariah: The DNA Edition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flGtClpa6v4

Taken a DNA test and confused by the results? Or, perhaps you want help trying to narrow down how a genetic cousin is related to you? Episode 79 is your chance to get assistance and is an entire episode of viewer submitted questions all about DNA!

Black Pro Gen Icons for your TREE

Black Pro Gen ICONS for your Tree

-WE got you Covered- 

Black Pro Gen LIVE is on Facebook & Twitter

FACEBOOK for Black Pro Gen LIVE

Black Pro Gen on Twitter

Black Pro Gen LIVE Archived Episodes from 2018

During Black Pro Gen LIVE's hiatus, don’t miss a beat!

Watch BlackProGen LIVE on YouTube, we have
Episode ARCHIVES!

Black Pro Gen LIVE on YouTube

A Presidential Greeting for an Enslaved Man's Family - Mr. Ike Ivery

Note to Myself 

I just wanted to recognize a few things about the Letter we got from President Obama in Celebration of our 43rd Ike Ivery Family Reunion. 

We celebrated in Orlando, Florida with over 400 Descendants of Granddaddy Ike, his 3 Wives and 23 Children. On July 14th - 16th at Westgate Spa and Villas. 

The Orlando Reunion Committee gave my Family a Wonderful Hosted week of Enjoyment. 

This Letter will always be Special to us. Family Heirloom. 

There are 3 things of Note to pay close attention to in the Letter we received from the White House from President Obama.

The day it arrived, my Post lady was so nervous. She hand delivered the Envelope to my door and was very careful. She said you got a Letter from the White House and I wanted to make sure it got t0 you okay.  I would of been shaking like a leaf myself. 

1. The Embossed Presidential Seal. 

2. Dated Envelope from the White House. 

3. December 1st, 2015 - 50 Years after Rosa Parks sat  down on the bus in Montgomery, Alabama. 

How was the timing on that?  Very Significant. 

4. I knew we would need this in 2017.  So I tried to time when my Letter would arrive and the time it takes for them to return back.  I made sure 

I added 2 years on to the 2015.  In 2017 it would be 43 Years of Celebrating. 43 was the magic number. If you know Ivery Family History 8 of the remaining 23 Children for Granddaddy Ike started the Reunion in 1974. For our 2017 Reunion we got our 43rd Year of Celebrating our Family History dated in 2015. 

When I was able to read the letter aloud during our Banquet, I said I have a Letter from your President!!  

The room went still....The air was let out of the room like a deflating balloon, until I said; from your 44th President Barack H. Obama!!! 

The Family roared and clapped. The Committee was able to put the Letter in our Reunion Program Book so everyone would have a keepsake. 

This will be a Historical Note of Interest for our family one day.  I'll have this Blog Post to explain. Why and How did we get our 43rd Years of Celebration dated in 2015 for 2017. How did this all happen? With a Blessing of December 1st, 2015 - 50 years to the date of the arrest for Rosa Parks who Sat so we could have the right to ride the bus with full dignity in 1955. 

A video I put together for our Memorial Vigil. We Light 23 Candles every reunion. 

My Great Grandmother is the 

Daughter of Ike Ivery 

Eddie Lee Rosanna Susannah Louisiana Ivery Lewis 

Her son was James E. Lewis Sr. 

His son was my Father. 

Me, True - 

On behalf of the Ike Ivery Family, Thank You!

President Barack Obama! 

True Lewis of My True Roots Visits New Faces of NextGen LIVE

I did a Guest Interview for Faces of NextGen LIVE of 

NextGen Network. 

True Lewis Visits NewFaces of NextGen LIVE

You can Follow them on Twitter 

@NextGenNetWrk 

Had a Wonderful time with Eric and his Viewers!

Thank You so Much! 

November 6th, 2017. 

May I Introduce to You . . . True Lewis

May I Introduce to you...True Lewis

True Lewis Geneabloggers Interview

How Many Ancestors does My True Roots have?

True's Rooted Tree

Ancestry has this Diagram of how many Grandparents you should have to the 10th Generation........

Well, Howdy Dowdy! 

My Tree is a Rambuctious Painstaking Work in Progress!

How's your Tree Doing?

Of Course I have Parents! For Privacy Sake. I will leave them and add Grandparents Last Names. 

Parents:  2

My Dad & My Momma! 

Grandparents: 4  

Lewis ~ Miles ~  Sweigard ~ Johnson

Great Grandparents: 8

Lewis - Ivery - Miles - Daniel - Sweigard - Evans - Johnson - Watson

2nd Great Grandparents: 16

14 of my 16 2nd Great Grandparents

3rd Great Grandparents: 32

 .I have 22 of 32.

4th Great Grandparents: 64

I have 28 of 64 names

5th Great Grandparents: 128! 

6th Great Grandparents: 256

7th Great Grandparents: 512

Anna Maria  Bobenmyer Bessemer Barrick  Turrin Zimmerman

8th Great Grandparents: 1,024

9th Great Grandparents: 2,048

10th Great Grandparents: 4,096

I have about 1600 people so far.

After the 5th Great Grandparents, I got tired of writing. I pooped out!

Pooped....

Leave me a NoTe or Comment.

Let me know how your doing? 

Throw me a few Suggestions!

I don't Mind.....

My Tree needs the Shade.