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/

African American Women in the Military w/True Lewis and Joyceann Gray

Women in the Military

This webinar focuses on the vital and often underrepresented role of African American women in the military. It traces their journey from early wartime support roles to active service in various branches of the armed forces.

The panel will highlight their challenges, achievements, and the barriers they broke, providing a deeper understanding of their contribution to military history and the broader struggle for gender and racial equality within the armed forces. This narrative celebrates their resilience and enduring impact on the military and society. 

Panelists: True Lewis and Joyceann Gray and Angela Raji Walton with Host Dr. Shelley Murphy 

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

Sarah Lewis Miles Letter to Daddy - December 17, 1965

Envelope -

Daughter Dialogues | True Lewis

True Lewis | Veteran | Women shouldn't be in the Military

 

1890 - 2016 

True Lewis | Daughter Dialogues

Daughter Dialogs on Facebook

Daughter Dialogs on Twitter

A Daughter of the American Revolution 

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

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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. 

My True Roots Celebrates her 4th Blogiversary!

My True Roots Turns 4!

LORD, I PrAiSe YOU! I Thank You for Guiding Me : for Holding Me: for keeping me in your Hands : All Day and All Night : I lie my Faith in nothing but You: above all else,You are my STrengTh! With You all This is Possible. Thank You for that "Quiet Place"......

I THANK YOU!

To: My Entire Family...There are so many that take my calls, my email, my text at any Given hour. You all know who you Are. I'm Grateful for you all taking time to help me. Thank you for all your Prayers & Encouragement. Please know that every Word and Picture I place on my Blog is because you have Contributed.

I don't Do My True Roots alone.

My Friends - Fellow Bloggers - My Genealogy Community -
My Beloved Black Pro Gen LIVE! Family.

You, My Readers the most faithful of them ALL, have stuck by me - encouraged me - prompted me - gave me criticism when needed - advised, taking my Hand and Walking with Me all the way through.

I Thank YOU!

For The House That Built Me

Daddie and Mom

James E. Lewis 1918 - Today; 8 years ago.

Tinnie L. Miles Lewis 1923 - November - 2008

My Sweet November

I do this Work of Recording our Family History and Genealogy because of them. They unashamedly taught me so many lessons that will carry me through Life. They poured so many stories and documents from the Ancestors onto me. I was the Vessel. I'm Grateful that they took the time to answer so many Questions from my inquisitive mostly nosey self. Always questioning this and that. I wouldn't have half of what I can write to you if it wasn't for them.

Thank You Everyone!

Thanks for stopping over and reading about my Family History for the last 4 years. It's Very Much Appreciated! Thanks for all your Comments and NoTe's! and simply taking the time. Please keep coming by as I grow. It's been a Very Great 4 years with all your Support.

Truly Blessed!

My True Roots Heart & Soul

February is Black History Month

The Heart & Soul of My True Roots.

I want you to know My True Roots Truth....

I want to Thank Everyone for "Liking" my Facebook page for "My True Roots". 

For all the courteous Follows on Twitter at ThatGirl!@MyTrueRoots 

It's so much Appreciated. 
I'm here to Reintroduce myself to Everyone.

My Ancestors are only a Whisper Away....

My Blog is about My Genealogical Journey. It has a component to it that is "Spiritual Work". Along with just Good Ol'Fashion research. 

It's out of Love and Honor, for whom shoulders I Stand on. 

It's their Home. A place for me to keep them Collectively in one place. Together. In Remembrance....

I have the "Triple Threat". 

I'm a Woman - I'm Black - I'm German.

I will Always Stand with the Women in my Lineage. They are the Cradle here. They survived so Much and have carried us through.  My Slaves who have survived the Middle Passage. They will always be defended. They had no Voice for way to Long. 

 My Europeans they are a half of whom I am. They are who I come from since before this Country was formed. They are all MINE. 

 Not standing up for Anyone of my Ancestors on My True Roots would be Denying a Piece of Me. Having Half Existence. I'm Whole. 
They are all of what I am Today. 
They all have a Safe Harbor right here. 


 I just didn't pick this Genealogy up and said Oh, I can do this in a "Secretarial" capacity, Career, Job or because I had some Organizational Skills.

Me and Daddy, 1977. 

As a Child, I got started with pencil and paper. I have been self taught with a lot of mistakes along the way. Making corrections from Fellow Bloggers in the Genealogy Community who are teaching me about sourcing, citations and Genealogical Proof and Standards. I'm still a work in progress.

Lewis Mementos

I think over the years since 1998. I've come to know I have "3 Stages" of My Own Personal Genealogy Trek.

•  Unwanted. Not of Importance.
•  Shunned 
•  Now Embraced

NOW!  It's my Responsibility as a  Person of Color, to continue and when asked.

 What part did you have in Building the Genealogy Community? 

What contributions have you made to preserve African American Stories?

I can show them my Blog.
They can also know that I have took a stand, so future Genealogist know they have a Place.

• It is my Responsibility for the unborn in my Family to have this body of Work.
• To let my Family know they have a Story. Their Lives Matter. All the ones that Came before Us and After.

So with that! 

•  I will Represent my Ancestors at my side at all Times.
•  I Stand with the Genealogy Community as a Whole. 
• I'm Coming to the Table with my Ancestors. 
•  Help Release the Names through Slavery!
•  No more Shame or Guilt

I'm giving you my Heart & Soul. 

I'm reaching my Hand out. I want you to take this Walk with Me. 
I so appreciate so many Bloggers,Family Historians, Genealogist that have came before me. 

This is where Dear Myrtle! comes in. She put her hand out and reached out to help others understand the plight of African American Research. While we are fighting and scrambling to be heard. She reaches many Voices in the Genealogy Community. 
Thanks to George Geder in getting the conversation going. My Blog Sisters Nicka Smith & for years on end, Luckie Daniels & AAGSAR African American Genealogical Slave Ancestor Research where you can see other African American Bloggers and many other's. I wish I could name them all for continuing the Conversation. Geneabloggers is another Blog Community where you will find a garden variety of information on topics in Genealogy from other Bloggers all over the World.  
We have agreed to keep pushing forward and have all Voices heard.

International Decade for People of African Descent 2015-2024

This is a quote from

 Legacy Tree Webinars! 

2015 also begins the International Decade for People of African Descent adopted by the United Nations. Here at FamilyTreeWebinars, we recognize and support this resolution, and reach out to ALL regardless of race, color, creed or national origin with support for researching family and documenting cultural inheritance. We will continue to strive to bring the finest genealogical education to you. They also have a NEW Freedom Webinar Series, taught by pre- and post-Emancipation era research experts, will both entertain, educate, and instruct about the history and the wealth of records that were created as a result of this great transition. Please go their SITE and REGISTER for these Exclusive Webinars! 

I need to come out strong with how I feel and let you know the Essence and the Foundation that My True Roots is built on. What I Stand for.

So there is no Doubt on what I care for. What needs to be done.

I don't want to fiddle faddle around with what My True Roots is about? 
Over the years I come to learn and realize what my Convictions, Integrity and Morals are when writing about my Ancestors and what this Journey has meant to me!

 How Honored I am being the Vessel for my Ancestors. I don't take this Family Historian title as Humbled as I am, that my family has bestowed upon me lightly.

Someone is gonna come after me to pick up where I left off. I had to lay the Purple Print blueprint on how they must go accordingly into the future on what was started for our Ancestors. 

They must always:

•   Place the Ancestors first
•   Do No Harm to the Living

This is a Blog Piece I contributed for  Worldwide Genealogy ~ A Genealogical Collaboration. 

TrueKeeper!  



Of which My True Roots!, is a Author among about 30 others for 2 years. It's Wonderful to be among US and Continental Writers under one roof.

TrueKeeper "Speaks" to some of  "My True Roots"  Essence. 

I'm delighted it's "Black History Month". I look forward to you all coming back and reading new Blog Pieces about my Family. 

Best Regards
See ya Soon in a few days. 

You can find me at Black Pro Gen LIVE  All Year! 

Are you my Cousin?

HapPy NeW YeAr! From My True Roots!

This is the year "I claim it" in 2015 to be a new Cousin FOUND Kind of Year! through Paper trail or DNA.

Go Take a Look!

Let me know If We have "Someone" in common. I'm always looking for Family and anything you add to my Ancestors Story in the Tree of Life. I embrace you here!

I'll be following Thomas MacEntee for a 13 week  Do-Over to help me fix years of Research and giving it a well needed tuneup! You can follow us along at  Geneabloggers!

So here I come 2015! Ancestors and All! possibly a Surprise in the Mix! Wishing all my Fellow Bloggers for all the Best. I'll be visiting you! to see what your stories your Kin have to tell!

Happy Hunting!

Family Surnames: 

Barnes, Barrick Bergstresser, Boggs, Bobbenmeyer, Brunson, Bryant Burd Cassel Clowes, Collier, Christen, Daniel, Dix, Evans, Floyd, Ford, Fortson, Glenn, Grosin, Hampton, Hatcher, Haynes, Heckman, Henry, Hill, Hinde, Hooks, Hutchinson, IVERY, Johnson (Euro- SSA), Jordan, King, Klinepeter, Knisler, Kost, Kumpf, Kompt, Lambert, Leiby, LEWIS, Lippert, Loy, McDonald, MILES, Nobles, Oiler, Penn, Person, Poppenmyer, Rhodes, Reitenauer, Sankey, Sellers, Shover, Simmons, Smart, Stein, Swanger, SWEIGARD, Tarver, Thurrin, Watson, Weichlein, Whisler, White, Wolfe, Woods, Zimmerman. 

They come from Europe, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. 
Bullock, Bibb, Macon, Barbour, Pike Counties in Alabama
Houston County, Georgia. 

Finding Your Roots! We Come from Ivery's!

Finding Your Roots!

"We Come from People"

Season 2 Premiere September 23, 2014 8pm PBS

Episode 6

 Henry Louis Gates

The Book of Life

Angela Bassett ~ Valerie Jarrett ~ Nas 

Don't ever say; "I can't find Nobody" in your research. I can't find who I belong to? This episode tells you We Came from Somebody......Me: I Come from the Lewis ~Ivery~Miles~Daniel and Sweigard's and many More!..
We have receipts for our People like Property. 
Why did they put a price on us? What made them think they could put a Value on our Lives? This episode rang True for some many Folks and it has to touch the Heart of every American. 
If it doesn't, you have no Respect for Yourself. For mankind. Angela, Nas and Ms. Valerie's story should hold reverence for you. It's about your Story as well. That is why there will Never Ever Ever be a day I won't stop  "Speaking about my Ancestors" or write. You Family Historians know what I mean. Grandma Eddie Ivery Lewis, born 1888, her Father Ike Ivery, born 1853. His Father William Ivey born 1812. My Daddy born 1918, James E. Lewis. Those Miles, Tinnie and Queen and her Mother Lizzie, 1843. As long as I can and Lord help me! I don't want my Family to forget. I hope we find more of the ones who are LOST. So we can keep Our Circle Unbroken.  I know my Family will see to it their Lives are not in Vain.
They are in my DNA. In 1 hour you can not tell all the information they find. This is where I take NoTe's and re watch. Look for clues that will help me in research regarding a name or piece of history I heard on the show, even location research. I always have to go over the show to get some of the details lost or not followed up. I'll help tell some of their finds from Dr. Gates along with some of my family history. 

Angela Bassett
Angela grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida. Daily life was a challenge. That is where she got the acting bug. She always wanted to know about her family, but like most when you first start it does seem to be a daunting challenge. Overwhelming. I still feel that at times but the Ancestors are with you always there to Lead you on. Most times you don't know where to begin? Angela is ready to know how her Ancestors survived, even trying to place herself in their shoes. Asking; I wonder if I would survive their circumstances? Her Ancestors were George and Jinny Ingram. They  got a chance to "Jump the Broom", they lived like many Slaves in cohabitation with each other, after Slavery they can get a Courthouse marriage to make their families legal. That is how they found out with Angela's family the reasoning behind the Ingram-Bassett last name. They were owned by the one and same. That is how they gained and lost those surnames between them.  My 3rd Great Grandparents are George Miles and Ginnie Hooks. So I found that interesting.

 I don't much information beyond census records mostly on them with Oral History,their Son Sam Miles, my Great Grandfather. These Parents of his were listed on his Social Security Application. That's how I found their legal names. Through out the family they are Big Pa and Grandma Sissy.

Poppa Sam Miles with his Parents: George Miles & Ginnie Hooks 

That backed up my census record in 1870. Angela's DNA revealed she was 77% SSA. 

  Valerie Garrett

Robert Robinson Taylor

1st Black Graduate of MIT, he helped developed with the architect of one of the oldest African American Black College; Tuskegee University. Were I recently took a visit 2 weeks ago. Had I known? 

Me arriving at Tuskegee University

He was also born in Cumberland County, North Carolina in 1823! Angus Taylor is his Father, he gives a glimpse into what his father looks like in a letter from Booker T. Washington stating that he was yet a Slave, but; "Given liberty to do about as he pleased" yet he was not Free. He didn't Free him. So it begs the question why didn't he free him? Was it for his protection? and the complexities that goes with that?  He wasn't just Henry's owner he was his Father as well. Eventually she would find out her 6th Great Grandparents her Grandmother Marianne had 6 children by Mr. Pierre Rochon her Slaveowner in Alabama and he freed his children March 20, 1770. That was astonishing to me 6 children were Freed in 1770. That is a long time to have Free Persons of Color (FPOC) at that time in History. This is how all her Ancestors were Free. At one point Dr. Gates noted her Great Great Grandfather Victor Rochon was the 1st Black Legislator from Louisiana in 1872 and 1888. So Valerie has this in her DNA, her Blood. She is now serving with our 1st African American President, Pres. Obama. So she was made to to do this work. I to wondered how Marianne felt a year later Pierre Rochon passes away and all those thoughts of what she might of felt at the time when he told her as his Lover and mother of his children they are FREE! They made a new life in Louisiana from Alabama. Dr. Gates points out that he "Manned up" something President Thomas Jefferson was always conflicted about doing.
 Her DNA revealed she was 51% Euro and 46%SSA. 


Nas!
I come from the Melly Mel, Sugar Hill Gang, Dougie Fresh, LL Kool J, and Queen Latifah era of Rap. Yes!,quite so.  Even my kids laugh sometimes I can "Rock the Mic" in a Ol'Skool minute. I paid attention to Nas! when he wrote: Illmatic the album. Since that time I make sure I listen out for his albums. They are a source, a citation on our History. He prolifically announces unashamedly to the World. As he should. The young man is very knowledgeable about our History. We family historians write, when he writes, he put it's into Rapping. Same work, he just projects it differently. He was quoted by Toure' of MSNBC as being articulate and having detailed lyrics. He realized this at the age of 7. That is when everything Set if Off for him. He started seeing his Life outside of the Ghetto. Imagine.....7. My eyes were opened to Genealogy at 9. Nas is a "Beast" in the Rap World.   Nas's mother born Fannie Ann Little, 1941 in North Carolina. Richmond County. 
She always taught and wanted her sons to have a deep connection to their Roots. Just like my Grandparents there were yearly trips to Alabama so I could see hear and smell my Roots they would be ingrained in me till this day. I would say the same things Nas said about going Down Home, or the South. Like it is for me Down Home in Midway, Alabama.  Being born and raised up North in Pennsylvania. Everything in life moved slow and it was the country down there.  It did feel like we were on the Plantation down there in my small naive youthful way. Even my way of speaking was foreign.

Midway . Bullock County. Alabama

 Nas's family goes back 5 generations in that county. Mine goes back to at least 1869 as far as I have traced. That is one of my oldest documents; a marriage license. 

Nas's story focus's on his 3rd Great Grandmother. Pocahontas Little, aged 15. She was worth a 830$ bought by Benjamin Franklin Little, March 27, 1859. Makes me wonder what else was going on the day of her Sale? I will have to research what the climate of that town was like and what else was going on in History? These are the little things that keep me up at night worrying about what happened, what was going on? I try to go to that place in my Heart and Spirit just to imagine? The picture of BF Little made Nas come face to face with who owned his 3rd Great Grandparents. The part that got to me was he said he had 850$ in his pocket right now. He mentioned he is considering going back there and get the Land. I hope he does! 

Richmond County, North Carolina

 I have to say there was a bit of conversation and debate going on about BF Little from one of his Descendants a lady in the comments section of the video excerpt for Nas. It was very compelling and it brought up a lot of emotions for everyone reading in. She was quite upset over the portrayal of him. She didn't think it was fair for him to be seen in that light. I'm very opinionated on this subject. It was interesting seeing her views and feelings on him being a Slave owner. She got a lot of response which I'm sure she didn't agree with. In the end it had to open her eyes this was a man that had a choice. They all did. Many were against Slavery and choose to not build their fortunes on the backs of a Slaves life. They tend to romanticize their Ancestor under the illusion my Ancestor wasn't a bad Slave owner and other guises they tend to use to defend their actions.  Those chains of pain whereas today Nas wears gold chains around his neck. He felt like we changed those chains of pain into chains of Freedom. Nas's DNA revealed he was 82% SSA. He also did a Y dna test on him to reveal his Haplogroup. He was Viking. Which is haplogroup R. that tells of his Origins and his ancient lineage where his 1st Ancestor began.
WHO DO YOU COME FROM?

 Remember. We Come From People!
We are not Property, Chattel, or Animals. 
We came here in Chains. Today we are breaking them. Hold your head high. You came from a Mighty Strong People
I could write so much more. I just wouldn't do it Justice. 
When you have the time you can go to PBS Finding Your Roots  at this link to watch the full episode online. 
 DNA behind the Scenes! shows you how to learn how they do the work behind the scenes to get the Guests DNA results.

Until Next Time.
Best Regards, True!

Nas "I Can"......

I know I CAN!