Researching Mulatto Slave Ancestors with Denise Griggs

Int'l Institute of Genealogical Studies

14 Sept 202251:33

EducationalLearning

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TLDRDenise Griggs, an accomplished author and genealogist, shares her extensive research on her African-American ancestors, including her great-great-uncle Peter Hunt. She discusses the importance of oral history, various resources like census records and land deeds, and the emotional journey of uncovering her family's past. Griggs also highlights the significance of genealogy in connecting generations and understanding one's heritage. Her book, 'A Mulatto Slave: The Events in the Life of Peter Hunt 1844-1950', serves as a testament to her family's resilience and contributions to American history.

Takeaways

📜 Denise Griggs is an accomplished author and genealogist with a focus on diversity, theology, and family history.
🏆 She has received multiple awards, including the Phyllis Wheatley Award and was a finalist for the Next Generation Indie Book Award.
🌐 Her extensive volunteer work includes children's ministry, family genealogy research, and teaching African-American genealogy.
📚 Her latest book, 'A Mulatto Slave: The Events in the Life of Peter Hunt 1844-1950', is a culmination of her research on her own family's history.
🧑‍🦱‍🦰 The story of Peter Hunt, a mulatto slave, explores the complex family dynamics and the socio-political context of the time.
🗣️ The importance of oral family history as a primary source for many African-Americans was emphasized, despite historians' skepticism.
🌎 Maps and historical timelines were highlighted as crucial resources for understanding the migration patterns of ancestors and the broader historical context.
📝 Various records like wills, census data, land deeds, and military records were used to piece together the family history.
🔍 The process of genealogical research involves a combination of online resources, physical visits to courthouses and libraries, and interviews with relatives.
🤝 Denise Griggs advocates for sharing genealogical findings with family and leveraging resources like FamilySearch to further research.
📖 Writing a book about an ancestor requires not only factual accuracy but also the ability to make it engaging and relevant for a broader audience.

Q & A

Who is the main guest speaker in the transcript?
-Denise Griggs is the main guest speaker in the transcript.
What is the significance of the book 'A Mulatto Slave: The Events in the Life of Peter Hunt 1844-1950'?
-The book 'A Mulatto Slave: The Events in the Life of Peter Hunt 1844-1950' is significant as it chronicles the life of Denise Griggs' ancestor, Peter Hunt, who was a mulatto slave and later a landowner, voter, and hero. It provides a detailed account of his experiences and the historical context in which he lived.
What are some of the resources Denise Griggs used in her genealogical research?
-Denise Griggs used a variety of resources in her genealogical research including books, census records, deeds, marriage and divorce records, pensions, slave sales records, historical timelines, maps of Native American tribes, and online resources like Ancestry.com.
How did Denise Griggs feel about the role of oral family history in genealogical research?
-Denise Griggs believes that oral family history is crucial in genealogical research, especially for African Americans, as it often provides the only source of information about their ancestors. She found that her family's oral history led her to discover important documents and correct misconceptions about her family's past.
What is the importance of the Homestead Act of 1862 in the context of the transcript?
-The Homestead Act of 1862 is significant because it allowed both African Americans and whites to claim land in the United States. Denise Griggs' ancestor, Peter Hunt, and his mother, America, both filed claims under this act, which allowed them to own land and establish their own farms after emancipation.
What did Denise Griggs discover about her Irish ancestry?
-Denise Griggs discovered that her Irish ancestry traces back to an immigrant named Fitz Maurice, who was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, and served in the American Revolution. Fitz Maurice married Jane Defear, the great-niece of the 17th Earl of Oxford, Edward de Vere, which adds an interesting connection to her family tree.
How did Denise Griggs verify the information she found in her genealogical research?
-Denise Griggs verified the information she found through various means including cross-referencing records, visiting the places where her ancestors lived, interviewing relatives, and consulting with experts at FamilySearch and other genealogical organizations.
What was the significance of the U.S. Colored Troops in the life of Peter Hunt?
-Peter Hunt served in the U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War. His service is significant as it represents his contribution to the fight for freedom and his personal journey from enslavement to becoming a soldier and later a landowner and voter.
What did Denise Griggs learn about the use of slaves as collateral for loans?
-Denise Griggs learned that slaves were sometimes used as collateral for loans by their owners. She discovered this through her research into her own family history, finding records of her ancestor's owner, Henry Hunt, using slaves as collateral for a loan in 1825.
How did Denise Griggs feel about the historical events and figures in her family's past?
-Denise Griggs felt a deep sense of connection and respect for her ancestors and the historical events that shaped their lives. She expressed admiration for their strength, courage, and tenacity, and she sought to honor and appreciate their contributions and sacrifices in her book.
What advice does Denise Griggs have for others researching their family history?
-Denise Griggs advises others to use oral family history as a starting point, to notate names and listen to rumors and gossip, to verify and cross-reference information, to visit places and cemeteries where ancestors lived, and to be open to learning about all aspects of their family's past, including both heroic and cautionary tales.

Outlines

00:00

🎤 Introduction and Reminders

The speaker, Gina Philibert Ortega, introduces the event at the National Institute for Genealogical Studies and reminds attendees to mute their microphones and turn off their video for bandwidth optimization. She is about to introduce a special guest, Denise Griggs, and provides some background on the upcoming presentation about genealogy, diversity, and family history.

05:02

📚 Denise Griggs: Author and Genealogy Researcher

Denise Griggs is introduced as an accomplished author of children's and young adult books focusing on genealogy, diversity, and theology. With a background in education and ministry, she has extensive experience in genealogical research and teaching, particularly in African-American genealogy. Her work has been recognized with awards and she actively volunteers in historical research and preservation efforts.

10:04

🧑‍🎓 Family History and the Importance of Oral Tradition

Denise Griggs discusses the significance of oral family history, which is often the primary source for many African-Americans. She shares her personal journey of discovery, where oral history led her to find documentation that clarified her family's past. Denise emphasizes the strength and resilience of her ancestors and their contributions to American history.

15:06

🗺️ Tracing Ancestral Roots and the Role of Maps

The presentation delves into the process of tracing family history through various maps and records. Denise Griggs explains the importance of understanding the historical context, such as the distribution of Native American tribes and the migration patterns of European settlers. She shares her own experiences of using maps to uncover her family's origins and their movement across different regions.

20:06

📜 Immigrant Ancestors and the Complexity of Genealogy

Denise Griggs explores the story of her Irish immigrant ancestor, his contributions to American history, and the complexities of genealogical research. She discusses the interplay between different historical records, such as wills and church records, and how they can provide insights into family history, including the practice of using slaves as collateral for loans.

25:07

📚 Resources and Methods in Genealogical Research

The speaker highlights various resources and methods used in genealogical research, including books, census records, and land deeds. She emphasizes the importance of cross-referencing information and verifying sources to construct an accurate family history. Denise Griggs also shares her personal call to action for anyone interested in exploring their family background.

30:10

🏆 Honoring Ancestors and the Impact of Genealogical Research

Denise Griggs reflects on the emotional impact of genealogical research and the importance of honoring one's ancestors. She shares her experience of visiting the Civil War memorial and seeing her ancestor's name, which was a deeply moving moment for her. The speaker also discusses the significance of preserving and sharing family history with others.

35:10

📖 Writing a Book and Sharing Family History

The speaker discusses the process of writing a book about her great-great-uncle Peter Hunt's life, emphasizing the importance of making the story engaging for readers. She shares her approach to writing from Peter's perspective, providing a first-hand account of his experiences and emotions. Denise Griggs also talks about the value of genealogy in connecting with one's past and the significance of this knowledge for future generations.

40:11

🤝 Collaboration and the Future of Genealogical Research

The conversation highlights the collaborative efforts in genealogical research, including the work of FamilySearch and the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. The speakers discuss the importance of sharing information and resources, such as the Freedmen's Bureau records and the potential for new technologies to enhance genealogical research. They also express gratitude for the contributions of Denise Griggs and others in advancing the field.

45:11

🌐 Resources for Further Genealogical Research

The session concludes with information on where to find Denise Griggs' book and how to access FamilySearch's resources. The speakers encourage attendees to continue their genealogical research and to utilize the available tools and support from organizations like the National Institute for Genealogical Studies and FamilySearch.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Genealogy

Genealogy is the study of a person's ancestors and family history. In the video, the guest speaker, Denise Griggs, uses genealogy to trace her family's lineage, including her African-American ancestors and their experiences. It is a central theme as she shares her journey of discovery and the importance of preserving family history.

💡Ancestry

Ancestry refers to the process of tracing one's family tree and lineage. In the context of the video, ancestry is crucial as Denise Griggs explores her family's past, including the stories of her ancestors who survived enslavement and contributed to American history. It is through ancestry that she is able to connect with her roots and understand her family's legacy.

💡DNA Cousins

DNA cousins are individuals who share a common ancestor due to shared DNA markers. In the video, Denise Griggs mentions connecting with DNA cousins in Ireland, Canada, England, and across the United States, which illustrates the power of DNA testing in genealogy to find relatives and expand one's understanding of their family tree.

💡Oral History

Oral history is the method of recording history through spoken accounts of individuals. In the video, Denise Griggs emphasizes the importance of oral family history as a source of information for many African-Americans, as it often leads to uncovering documents that clarify misconceptions and confirm historical narratives.

💡Homestead Act

The Homestead Act is a U.S. law from 1862 that provided settlers with public lands in the West, on the condition that they live on and improve the land for a certain period. In the video, Denise Griggs mentions her ancestor Peter Hunt and his mother America claiming land under the Homestead Act, which allowed former slaves and other citizens to own land and establish a legacy.

💡U.S. Colored Troops

U.S. Colored Troops refers to African-American soldiers who served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. In the video, Denise Griggs talks about her ancestor Peter Hunt enlisting in the U.S. Colored Troops after turning 18 and the importance of preserving the history and contributions of these soldiers.

💡FamilySearch

FamilySearch is a genealogy organization operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, providing resources and records for family history research. In the video, FamilySearch is mentioned as a valuable resource for Denise Griggs in her research, and Tom Reid from FamilySearch discusses the availability of African-American records on their platform.

💡Author

An author is a person who writes books, articles, or other written works. In the video, Denise Griggs is introduced as an author of children's books and young adult literature focusing on genealogy, diversity, and theology. Her book about her ancestor Peter Hunt is an example of her work as an author.

💡African-American History

African-American history is the study of the experiences, culture, and contributions of African-Americans in the United States. In the video, Denise Griggs' research and book focus on this aspect of history, particularly the stories of her African-American ancestors and their resilience and contributions to American society.

💡Memorial

A memorial is a structure or site built to remember and honor individuals or events. In the video, Denise Griggs discusses the Natchez U.S. Colored Troops Monument, which is being established to commemorate the service and sacrifice of African-American soldiers. The memorial serves as a physical representation of their contributions to history.

💡Book

A book is a written or printed work consisting of pages, often containing information or telling a story. In the video, Denise Griggs has authored a book about her great-great-grandfather Peter Hunt, which is a central focus of her presentation and a significant outcome of her genealogical research.

Highlights

Denise Griggs is an accomplished author, particularly known for her work on genealogy, diversity, and theology.

She has a rich educational background with BA and MA degrees from a Christian university, and experience in education and ministry.

Denise has dedicated over 30 years to volunteering in children's ministry, family genealogy research, and teaching African-American genealogy.

Her research on the Greeks and Hunt families spans over 40 years, tracing their lineage back to 8th century England and Ireland.

Denise is a recipient of the 2021 Phyllis Wheatley Award and a 2022 finalist for the Next Generation Indie Book Award in African-American history and culture.

She contributes to the Natchez US Colored Troops Monument Committee and the National Park Service, with an ancestor listed on the Black Homesteader webpage.

Her latest book, 'A Mulatto Slave: The Events in the Life of Peter Hunt 1844-1950', is a significant work discussed in the presentation.

Denise emphasizes the importance of oral family history, which is often the only source for many African-Americans.

She shares her personal journey of discovery, starting with a simple question about a family photo leading to extensive genealogical research.

The presentation highlights the significance of maps in genealogical research, including historical maps of native American tribes and population diffusion paths.

Denise's work involves connecting DNA cousins across different countries and the importance of understanding global genealogical connections.

The story of Peter Hunt showcases the strength, courage, and tenacity of ancestors who survived and contributed to American history despite enslavement.

The importance of historical timelines in genealogy is discussed, with Denise creating a timeline for Peter Hunt's life and significant world events.

Denise's research uncovered slave sales and mortgages where slaves were used as collateral, providing insight into the economic aspects of slavery.

The presentation touches on the use of various resources like wills, probate records, church records, and slave sales in genealogical research.

Denise's book serves as an example of how personal genealogical research can be turned into a compelling narrative that honors and gives voice to ancestors.

The power of genealogical research in giving a sense of belonging and hope to future generations is highlighted, as well as its importance in preserving the past.

Denise's approach to genealogy involves a deep respect for all aspects of her family history, including the complex relationships and the slave owners who were part of her ancestry.

Transcripts

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Related Tags

Genealogy African-American Ancestry Research Denise Griggs Peter Hunt Civil War Homestead Act Family History Education Inspiration