smac97 Posted June 19, 2015 Posted June 19, 2015 Here: http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/historic-freedmen-records-released SALT LAKE CITY — Watch a live broadcast of the announcement of The Freedmen's Bureau Project originating in Los Angeles, Friday, June 19, 2015, 11:00 a.m. MDT. Thanks, -Smac 1
smac97 Posted June 19, 2015 Author Posted June 19, 2015 The countdown to the broadcast has begun, and they are showing an interview describing the Project and the importance of understanding one's lineage. More updates as we go along.
Scott Lloyd Posted June 19, 2015 Posted June 19, 2015 I'm assigned to do a Church News story on this announcement.
smac97 Posted June 19, 2015 Author Posted June 19, 2015 The man conducting the meaning is a stake president from the Atlanta area. He is conducting the news conference jointly with his wife. Both are black. 1
smac97 Posted June 19, 2015 Author Posted June 19, 2015 Elder D. Todd Christofferson is speaking. Both the stake president and Elder Christofferson have specifically references the massacre in South Carolina and expressed condolences. 1
Scott Lloyd Posted June 19, 2015 Posted June 19, 2015 The man conducting the meaning is a stake president from the Atlanta area. He is conducting the news conference jointly with his wife. Both are black.Is he the one in the "Meet the Mormons" movie?
smac97 Posted June 19, 2015 Author Posted June 19, 2015 The Freedman's Bureau Project makes genealogical use of 4 million names of African Americans recorded in the records of the Freedman's Bureau right after the Civil War. 1
smac97 Posted June 19, 2015 Author Posted June 19, 2015 (edited) A federal entity has retained and preserved these records. FamilySearch purchased copies of the Bureau's records and is having them indexed. The Smithsonian Institution is working jointly with FamilySearch on this project. These records will be part of a museum at the Smithsonian. The records are currently available, but they are not yet indexed (or only a small percentage has been indexed). Here's the website for the Project: http://www.discoverfreedmen.org/ Edited June 19, 2015 by smac97 1
smac97 Posted June 19, 2015 Author Posted June 19, 2015 They are showing a video of various African-Americans talking about their genealogy and how the Freedman's Bureau Project will be a tremendous resource for African-Americans to research their family histories.
smac97 Posted June 19, 2015 Author Posted June 19, 2015 The video is encouraging people to volunteer with helping to index the bureau records.
smac97 Posted June 19, 2015 Author Posted June 19, 2015 Thom Reed, an employee of FamilySearch, has described how he has researched his family history back to the 1870 census, and how this census is "a wall" in terms of black Americans researching their family histories. The Project will help researchers get over this wall. Mr. Reed also explains the process for signing up to volunteer to help indexing (go to the website linked to above). 1
smac97 Posted June 19, 2015 Author Posted June 19, 2015 An ambassador is speaking. She has used the Church's genealogical records to research her family's ancestry. 1
smac97 Posted June 19, 2015 Author Posted June 19, 2015 Janna Scott, a representative of the White House, is speaking. She is excited about the Project. She also acknowledged the massacre in South Carolina, and talked about the juxtaposition of that hateful act and the loving act of the LDS Church in facilitating this Project which will help African Americans and others learn more about early African Americans. She name checked a bunch of people. 1
smac97 Posted June 19, 2015 Author Posted June 19, 2015 Here's an article in the Deseret News about this: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865631024/LDS-Church-FamilySearch-launch-project-to-index-Freedmen7s-Bureau-records-of-4-million-former.html
smac97 Posted June 19, 2015 Author Posted June 19, 2015 The wife of the stake president was the concluding speaker. She spoke of her three sons, and said that this Project exemplifies the truth that "In the end, it's all about families." She also quoted Cecil L. Murray "When you know where you are coming from, you can design where you are going." 1
smac97 Posted June 19, 2015 Author Posted June 19, 2015 Here's another news article about this topic: http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/lds/millions-of-genealogical-records-of-african-american-ancestors-released/article_58ae956a-9a78-5917-b516-d8f4243d5de8.html
Scott Lloyd Posted June 19, 2015 Posted June 19, 2015 Thanks for the real-time summary, Smac. I am now working on my Church News story about the event.
Scott Lloyd Posted June 19, 2015 Posted June 19, 2015 (edited) Apparently, there will be a repeat of the Internet stream. It is scheduled to begin in about 13 minutes. Edited to add: Actually it is a recording that can be accessed now. Link. Edited June 19, 2015 by Scott Lloyd 1
mormonnewb Posted June 19, 2015 Posted June 19, 2015 I'm always complaining about the Church's lack of outreach to the black community, so let me be the first to applaud the Church for this very earnest effort to bring present (and past) generations of black folks into the fold.Standing ovation for the Church! Sincerely! 3
Scott Lloyd Posted June 19, 2015 Posted June 19, 2015 I know that Thom Reed of FamilySearch and the Sullivans are Church members. I got the impression that perhaps at least one of the other speakers is also (was it Sheri Camp?). I had that impression because she spoke of being a "family history consultant" in her church. I'm unaware of any church other than The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that has that position and title.
HappyJackWagon Posted June 19, 2015 Posted June 19, 2015 The man conducting the meaning is a stake president from the Atlanta area. He is conducting the news conference jointly with his wife. Both are black.Hmmm. The Meet the Mormons guy. He must be on the GA short list.
smac97 Posted June 20, 2015 Author Posted June 20, 2015 So I downloaded the FamilySearch software and have spent the last 90 minutes deciphering court records from the records of the Freedmen's Bureau. It's a strangely compelling thing to sort through records from 150+ years ago, and pertaining to issues that mattered very much in the moment to those involved (freed slaves), but which now are valuable for their historical and genealogical interest. Give it a try, folks! -Smac 2
mormonnewb Posted June 20, 2015 Posted June 20, 2015 Hmmm. The Meet the Mormons guy.He must be on the GA short list.Heaven help us!
Scott Lloyd Posted June 20, 2015 Posted June 20, 2015 Heaven help us!Do you not like President Sullivan?
Sevenbak Posted June 20, 2015 Posted June 20, 2015 Is he the one in the "Meet the Mormons" movie?Hi Scott, yes, same couple. Now though, he's a Stake President instead of a Bishop. I was at the event in LA for the TV side of things. The black community pulled out all the stops for this and the Church. Pretty awesome to see. 2
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