Afro American Genealogy and Historical Society, Inc. Nathania A. Branch Miles Chapter Committee Co-Chair

Mission Statement The Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc. (AAHGS) strives to preserve African- ancestor family history, genealogy, and cultural diversity and disseminating historical and genealogical information throughout the community. Open to all regardless of race or ethnicity Educate its members in many aspects of historical and genealogical research technique and resources

AAHGS AAHGS was founded in 1977 in Washington DC by a small group of historians and genealogists Created to sharing resources, research techniques and methodology to pursue historical and genealogical research AAHGS is the premier national organization that has gained recognition for exemplary research in its efforts to preserve African American history and trace genealogy

Founding Members James Dent Walker* Elizabeth Clark-Lewis, Ph.D. Marcia Jesiek Einsenberg* Marsha M. Greenlee Debra Lynn Newman Ham, Ph.D. Jean Sampson Scott* Paul Edward Sluby, Sr. * deceased

Primary goals Our primary goals are to promote scholarly research: ► provide resources for historical and genealogical studies, ► create a network of persons with similar interests, and ► assist members in documenting their family histories.

Reasons to join AAHGS Network of family historians and genealogists Learn new research skills Learn about new genealogy software Improve research skills in reading old handwritings Learn tips from other members Associate with members who are researching the same area Develop leadership skills Develop life long connections

Types of membership and rates Individual - $35.00 Family - $40.00 Organization - $45.00 Life membership - $1,000.00 Chapter dues are additional

National Projects Served as a member of the Underground Railroad Commission Supported the African American Museum on the National Mall Family History Project with the National Endowment for Humanities Co-sponsored 2002 Annual Smithsonian black History Month Symposium National Veterans Project Consultant to National Park Service to the Civil Was Memorial and more

Sample Chapter Projects Children/Youth Projects State and County preservation society projects Teach genealogical and historical courses at community colleges Contribute to Newspaper Clipping Projects Research and write community Histories Establish African-American Heritage Tours and Trails Document Church histories and cemetery records Write books on African American Histories and more..

Starting a chapter To charter a chapter you will need the following: A minimum of 10 members Completion of Charter Application By-laws Chapter logo National dues

Benefits of Membership AAHGS members receive the bi-annual Journal of the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society and the bi-monthly AAHGS News The annual AAHGS membership runs from January 1st - December 31st of each year.  Persons joining during the year, receive all back issues for that year, so you’ll miss nothing. 

Services, resources and benefits The society provides workshops, lectures, indexes of vital records and censuses prepared by volunteers, annual heritage tours, and cultural enrichment programs. Annual conference Bi-monthly newsletters Bi-Annual AAHGS journal Surname data-base register Partners with other like organizations, i.e., FGS, NGS

AAHGS ANNUAL CONFERENCE AFRO AMERICAN HISTORICAL & GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY 34th NATIONAL CONFERENCE October 10-13, 2013 Nashville, Tennessee – The Inn at Opryland, A Gaylord Hotel See Call for Papers

Events, Meetings and Workshops Hold regular chapter meetings Open your meetings to new/potential members Network with other community groups with same or similar missions – FHC, Libraries, Universities Chapters are encourage to have meetings that Develop and enhance research skills Members share their genealogical discoveries Informational and Educational Research out to the community

What can you do? Volunteer your services. Answer a call to serve in the affirmative when asked. Tell everyone you know about the wonderful work being done by our members. Bring a friend with you to meetings and conferences.  This organization has made a difference in the who, what, when, and where of American history as the Founders dreamed it would more than a quarter of a century ago

Samples of special projects Meet the Author – Rachel Swarms, author of American Tapestry ….. Juneteenth Celebration Maryland Legacy Day Partnership Public Meeting w/the Maryland Commission of African American History and Culture  Partnership with the Prince George’s County African American Museum and Cultural Center Emancipation Day

AAHGS Members Membership of over 1,200 individuals, families and corporations 23 Chapters in New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, North and South Carolina, California, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Missouri, Arizona and Illinois At-large members in the West Indies, Canada and the Virgin Islands

Contact Information AAHGS PO Box 73067 Washington, DC 20056-3067 (202) 829-8970 / fax (202) 829-9280 email: info@aahgs.org Website: http://www.aahgs.org Chapter co-chairs: Nathania A. Branch Miles and Eugene Stephenson

Welcome To AAHGS When the eyes of an elder closes, it is like the doors of a library closing forever. Thank you for the opportunity to introduce you to the Afro American Historical and Genealogy Society, Inc. Questions and Answers