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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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..

10. 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

11. 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. 

12. 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

13. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. Contact Information
AAHGS
PO Box 73067
Washington, DC
(202) / fax (202)
Website:
Chapter co-chairs: Nathania A. Branch Miles and
Eugene Stephenson

20. 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