At the Feet of the Elders: A Journey into a Lowcountry Family History with Darius Brown

At the Feet of the Elders” by Darius Brown is a journey into the heart of African American ancestry in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Set against the backdrop of the Civil War and the collapse of slavery in Beaufort County, this book traces the author’s own lineage from Africa through enslavement to freedom. Using archival records, oral history, and genetic genealogy, Brown reconstructs the lives of his ancestors with care and reverence, offering a moving tribute to resilience and a blueprint for uncovering lost family stories.Darius M. Brown is an award-winning author, genetic genealogist, and historian dedicated to uncovering African American heritage through family history. His acclaimed book, At the Feet of the Elders: A Journey into a Lowcountry Family History, explores the rich narratives of South Carolina's Lowcountry. With over eight years of experience in genealogy, Mr. Brown specializes in tracing the histories of enslaved African Americans in the Lowcountry, reconstructing the enslaved communities at prominent plantations such as Old Fort, Otaheite, Blue Mud, and Blake Plantations across Beaufort, Charleston, and Colleton Counties. His meticulous research connects personal histories to broader historical narratives, bringing untold stories to light.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ancestor-s-footprints-with-bernice-alexander-bennett--6436157/support.

Today's episode features A'Lelia Bundles, the author of Joy Goddess: A'Lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance. A'Lelia Bundles discusses her book "Joy Goddess," which chronicles the life of her great-great-grandmother Madam CJ Walker and great-grandmother A'Lelia Walker, correcting historical misconceptions by portraying A'Lelia as a significant supporter of the arts during the Harlem Renaissance rather than merely a socialite spending her mother's money. A'Lelia shares her decades-long research journey that began with family stories and evolved to include extensive archival research, emphasizing the importance of using primary sources and historical context in understanding the vibrant Black middle-class social scene in 1920s Harlem. The conversation highlights how A'Lelia Walker helped expand her mother's beauty business, hosted influential interracial gatherings at her home "The Dark Tower" and Villa Lewaro, and became an important but often overlooked figure in the cultural flowering of the Harlem Renaissance.She is the founder of the Madam Walker Family Archives, the largest private collection of Walker photographs, memorabilia and ephemera. A’Lelia worked in network television news for thirty years, first at NBC News where she was a producer for news and magazine programs, and then at ABC News where she was a World News Tonight producer, Washington, DC deputy bureau chief and director of talent development. She is a former vice chair of Columbia University’s Board of Trustees and former board chair of the National Archives Foundation. She is a member of several boards that reflect her interests in history, journalism, political activism, social justice, the arts, and historic preservation including the March On! Festival, the Schlesinger Library on the History of Women at Harvard Radcliffe Institute, Woodlawn Conservancy, GANGGANG, BIO (Biographers International), Indiana Landmarks, Columbia Global Reports and Indianapolis’s ReThink 65/70 Coalition.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ancestor-s-footprints-with-bernice-alexander-bennett--6436157/support.

Today’s episode will focus on a new show called Back to the Frontier on HBO Max where three American families are taken out of their 21st-century comfort zones and sent back to the frontier, where they must learn to live like their predecessors with no modern amenities. The families face challenges but also gain valuable lessons about the importance of hard work, gratitude, and family togetherness.Joining me today are Stacey and Joaquin Loper - the only African American family that chose to participate in this potential life changing adventure for eight  weeks. I had an opportunity to meet Stacey, Joaquin and their family which included two teenage sons and Joaquin’s mother Shirley in the 4th episode. Executive produced by Chip and Joanna Gaines, the reality series Back to the Frontier, from the Magnolia Network, recently premiered on HBO Max. These  three American families as they leave behind every modern convenience to spend eight weeks living as 1880s homesteaders. The families are stripped of modern technology, electricity, running water, and contemporary tools and left to face the daily hardships of frontier life, which includes repairing shelters, raising livestock, growing and gathering food, and rationing their resources. While guided by historical experts, the series tests their resilience and adaptability while trying to survive in the authentic frontier lifestyle of the 1880s.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ancestor-s-footprints-with-bernice-alexander-bennett--6436157/support.

Today's episode will focus on Enslaved.org, an innovative online digital history project that through datasets that contributors have created by extracting information from historical sources, it documents the lives of hundreds of thousands of named enslaved individuals in mainland North America and the larger Atlantic world.The project's database and partnerships, including with FamilySearch, enable scholars and genealogists to study and trace the histories of enslaved individuals, while also highlighting the importance of making historical data accessible to diverse audiences.At Michigan State University, Walter Hawthorne is a professor of African, Atlantic, and Digital History; director of Enslaved.org; and an editor of the Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation. He has published books and articles about Atlantic slavery and received grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Mellon Foundation for the creation of online digital projects that allow anyone with a computer and internet connection to explore the history of slavery.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ancestor-s-footprints-with-bernice-alexander-bennett--6436157/support.

Edisto Gullah Geechee People of Orangeburg, South CarolinaIn this  episode,  Roderick Gass, Vice President of the Gullah Nation of North America, will discuss the Edisto Gullah Geechee people of Orangeburg, South Carolina, and their cultural heritage. He also explores the work of Lorenzo Dow Turner, the Father of Gullah studies, and delve into various aspects of Gullah Geechee culture, including language, traditions, and genealogy. The conversation also covers the impact of DNA testing in connecting with relatives and preserving family history, as well as the importance of organizations like the Gullah Nation of North America and the Orangeburg Historical Society in advancing and preserving Gullah Geechee culture.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ancestor-s-footprints-with-bernice-alexander-bennett--6436157/support.

Genealogy in Reverse: Finding the Living - A Practical Guide for all GenealogistsGenealogy often feels like a treasure hunt, and genealogists, like treasure hunters, run into “dead ends” all the time.  One important method for getting back on track is to look for living relatives who can fill in the gaps in our family stories. With step-by-step guidance, methodologies, and practical examples, Genealogy in Reverse. Finding the Living will give you the tools and confidence to find and make meaningful connections with living family members. This process, known as reverse genealogy, involves creating a detailed family tree, identifying relatives down both ancestral and collateral lines, and using modern tools to track them down.Author Cheri Hudson Passey is a professional genealogist, instructor, writer, speaker, and owner of Carolina Girl Genealogy, LLC. She uses her skills to identify and locate the next of kin, along with YDNA and mtDNA candidates, for the families of World War II soldiers who are listed as missing in action.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ancestor-s-footprints-with-bernice-alexander-bennett--6436157/support.

Dr. Antoinette Harrell, a genealogist, family historian, and local historian in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes, is renowned for her pioneering work in uncovering the peonage system that persisted in the Southern United States long after the abolition of slavery. She has been instrumental in helping countless families trace their ancestry and has brought national attention to hidden histories through her research and documentaries. Her dedication to preserving African American heritage has earned her numerous accolades and recognition from historical societies and academic institutions. She is the author of Images of America: African Americans in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes and the founder of Untold History Foundation, LLC. Tangipahoa Parish has been the site of some of her recent efforts, such as the placement of historical markers.. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ancestor-s-footprints-with-bernice-alexander-bennett--6436157/support.

The Power of CollaborationCollaborative Genealogy is a powerful, yet underused tool when it comes to building a family tree. With it, people can grow their trees farther than possible when working alone. Emmaline MacBeath is a genetic genealogist and a children’s author under the pen name Emmaline Rose. She specializes in African-American genealogy and the use of DNA to identify unknown family. Connecting people to their family stories and to each other is what lights up her days. She leads both the Adoption Angels and US Black Heritage Projects at the family tree website WikiTreeBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ancestor-s-footprints-with-bernice-alexander-bennett--6436157/support.

Overlooked: Early Black History in MinnesotaLong before the Great Migration, African Americans were already building lives and communities across Minnesota and the upper Midwest. Join professional genealogist Mica L. Anders as she uncovers the forgotten stories of Black pioneers, homesteaders, and entrepreneurs who helped shape the state from the 1850s through the 1890s. From Civil War veterans claiming land under the Homestead Act to skilled tradesmen establishing businesses, these resilient families carved out their place in Minnesota's history, but their stories were largely overlooked until recently.Mica L. Anders is a professional genealogist specializing in African American genealogy with almost 20 years of experience. As the first-ever history fellow at the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum, she conducted pioneering research on early African American communities, earning the Minnesota Genealogical Society's Pioneer Award for her work.With expertise in navigating pre-1870 research challenges, Mica combines rigorous historical research with storytelling to bring ancestors' stories to life. She also collaborates with museums to highlight underrepresented narratives and is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ancestor-s-footprints-with-bernice-alexander-bennett--6436157/support.

Join us for Freedmen’s Bureau Friday, a weekly virtual gathering where we uncover the rich and revealing stories found in the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Land also known as the Freedmen Bureau —a groundbreaking collection of more than 3.4 million documents created between 1865 and 1872. These records provide an invaluable window into the lives of newly emancipated African Americans, as well as the broader post-Civil War Southern communities.Each week, we take a deep dive into a different Southern state, exploring the unique challenges, services, and voices captured in the records—from labor contracts and education reports to hospital logs and testimonies. Whether you're a genealogist, historian, student, or simply curious about this crucial chapter in American history, you'll gain new insights and skills in analyzing these powerful documents.Come learn, share, and connect as we illuminate the untold histories written into the very fabric of our nation's past. All are welcome—no experience necessary!Dr. Shelley Viola Murphy, aka "familytreegirl" is a native of MI residing in VA researching her African-American & European lines. She is one of four Coordinators and an Instructor at Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI) & member of DAR Jack Jouett Chapter. Murphy also holds memberships with AAHGS, NGS, APG & various genealogy groups. She also sits on the Boards of the Library of Virginia, Albemarle and Fluvanna Historical Societies. Murphy presents at local & national conferences presenting problem-solving methodology lectures using her "So What" principles. Shelley's blog is familytreegirl.com & tagline is “Know your roots, they are long and strong.”Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ancestor-s-footprints-with-bernice-alexander-bennett--6436157/support.