FamilySearch Celebrates Juneteenth with 6 New Free African American Genealogy Classes Online

RootsTech by FamilySearch is excited to celebrate Juneteenth with free online classes focused on African American genealogy and taught by nationally known research experts at RootsTech.org/events. Six new classes will be live and interactive online June 19, or Juneteenth, and hosted by Thom Reed of FamilySearch. Join us also throughout the month of June to discover more about your African American ancestry through dozens of webinars from past RootsTech events. Register for free at RootsTech.org to add classes to your personal playlist for future on-demand viewing.
Juneteenth is a significant celebration commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. It symbolizes the strength, resilience, and triumphs of the African American community throughout history. Join us on June 19 as we embark on a transformative journey of discovery, connection, and celebration of African American family history. Individuals of all experience levels, from beginners to seasoned genealogists, are encouraged to participate.
Led by esteemed experts and genealogists well-versed in African American research, the RootsTech Juneteenth–related classes will address essential topics, such as how to get started, helpful resources, effective research strategies, overcoming genealogical hurdles, leveraging DNA testing for African American genealogy, and accessing lesser-known records and resources. Participants will gain valuable knowledge, tips, and techniques to advance their family history discoveries.
Most classes offer a free, downloadable syllabus.
Live Juneteenth Online Classes Available Monday, June 19, 2023
- 9:15–10:00 AM MT
Juneteenth: Understanding This History and Why It Is Important
by Janice Gilyard
- 10:15–11:15 AM MT
How I Found an Enslaved Ancestor in My Family Tree: Aaron Anderson
by Karen Strickland,
- 11:30–12:30 PM MT
From Ali to Clay: Taking the Family Narrative to DNA
by Cheri Daniels, Donald Shores, Sherman McRae, Keith Winstead, and Eric Brooks
- 1:00–1:45 PM MT
Unveiling Partnerships: Accessing and Using Cohabitation Records at FamilySearch.org
by Taneya Koonce
- 2:00–2:45 PM MT
A Lineage Society for Descendants of Enslaved Africans: Sons & Daughters of the U.S. Middle Passage
by Evelyn McDowell and Ruth Hunt
- 3:00–3:45 PM MT
America’s True Forgotten Patriots
by Ric Murphy
About FamilySearch
FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for over 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 5,000 family history centers in 129 countries, including the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
©2023, copyright Thomas MacEntee. All rights reserved.
Thomas MacEntee is a genealogy educator, author, and technology specialist who helps family historians research more effectively, use technology with confidence, and make smarter decisions about where to spend their time and money. As the founder of Genealogy Bargains and creator of related genealogy education projects, he has built a trusted voice in the genealogy community by combining hands-on research experience, practical teaching, and careful tool evaluation. His work sits at the intersection of genealogy, education, technology, and consumer-resource curation—translating complex topics into plain English so everyday genealogists can make real progress without wasting money or getting overwhelmed.