Free family history conference in Central West End
It was the 149th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s historic Dred Scott Decision which upheld slavery as the law of the land. While preparing a presentation on beginning genealogy, as part of the commemoration to be held at the historic Old St. Louis Courthouse, Ruth Ann Hager, genealogical expert, ran across a mystery.
Because it was the anniversary of the Dred Scott Decision, she gathered documents on Dred Scott and his wife, Harriet Scott. To her surprise, she discovered that little was known about Harriet’s life since the time of Dred Scott’s death. No one in the family knew when she died or where she was buried. Not even oral histories gave a clue.
Just 10 days before her genealogy presentation, Hager set out to solve the mystery of Harriet Scott. Her discovery ended up on the front pages of local newspapers and was picked up by the Associated Press. Hager had located Harriet Scott’s grave.
Hager, reference specialist at the St. Louis County Library and a life member of the St. Louis Genealogical Society, will share the story of her find at the first annual African-American family history conference, “Discover Your Roots,” an unprecedented gathering in St. Louis to highlight the rich resources available to African Americans tracing their ancestry.
The free all-day conference will be held Saturday, September 8 at 3905 McPherson Avenue in the Central West End.
For years African Americans have heard that little genealogical information can be found, especially if their ancestors were slaves. “African American family history research can be challenging, but it can be done,” says Hager.
“That is what Discover Your Roots Conference is all about. We cannot let our ancestors be lost to history.”
“The last few years we have noticed more and more black St. Louisans in the St. Louis Public Library and County Library researching their African-American family histories,” said Ted Steele, president of the St. Louis Genealogical Society.
“In recognition of this growing interest, our society has formed an African American Special Interest Group that can help black families get started or continue their search for their ancestors.” (For more information, visit www.stlgs.org.)
Participants in “Discover Your Roots” will learn more about Hager’s work in the Special Collections of the St. Louis County Library, where she regularly helps patrons working with the Julius K. Hunter & Friends African American Research Collection, devoted to African-American family history. They also can talk to members of the African American Special Interest Group.
In addition to Hager, the September 8 conference will have 10 local experts and featured speaker, Julius K. Hunter, journalist, author and genealogist.
In addition there will be an exhibit of artistic family trees created by members of the community.
The conference is supported by The St. Louis Genealogical Society; The St. Louis County Library; The Blackworld History Museum; The St. Louis Public Library; Community Education, Division of St. Louis Public Schools; The Dred Scott Heritage Foundation; and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The conference will take place at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 3905 McPherson Ave. from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free conference has classes for everyone, beginner to advanced.
Register now at www.discoveryourrootsmo.com, or call 314-345-4608 or 314-345-4613.