Unearthing Your Roots Inc.

08/31/2023

The origins of my business can be traced back to a spark of curiosity ignited by the tales spun by my grandmother and her sisters. Gathered around kitchen table of their parents home in Metairie, they painted a vibrant picture of our maternal lineage – a lineage intertwined with centenarians, brick masons, politicians, and fearless civil rights leaders. Their stories woven with resilience and determination etched a deep curiosity in my young mind about the roots that made us who we are.

Yet, amidst these tales of strength, there lay a stark silence on my grandmother's father's side. I yearned to know about the other half of my heritage, the lineage that remained shrouded in mystery. It was a single question about her father's family that set me on a path of discovery. As I asked, she revealed that her knowledge barely scratched the surface, save for a brief glimpse of one of her father's sisters who temporarily graced their lives. Their paternal grandparents remained nameless entities, shadows in the unexplored chapters of our story. Not even of picture of their own father survived the test of time.

The magnitude of this absence struck me deeply, a twelve-year-old grappling with the unfathomable notion of not knowing his own grandparents. A fire ignited within me – a determination to bridge this gap, not only for my family but for myself as a Black man navigating the intricacies of identity in America.

As the years unfurled, I channeled this hunger for understanding into helping others from diverse ethnic backgrounds in their own genealogical quests. Guiding individuals towards their histories, unveiling stories, and uncovering hidden fragments of their existence became my mission.

In 2018, that mission found its embodiment in the birth of my own genealogy business. With unwavering resolve, I embarked on a journey to unearth truths, to piece together the puzzle of lives, and to mend the gaps that time had created. My commitment was no longer just personal; it was a pledge to the communities yearning to reclaim their narratives.

My business is a culmination of the stories that shaped my own identity, of the voids that begged to be filled, and of the countless lives waiting to be acknowledged. It stands as a beacon of hope, a bridge between past and present, and a testament to the power of history to heal and unite.

Each inquiry, each discovery, each connection strengthens my resolve. As I delve into archives, navigate historical threads, and embrace the stories of the past, I am reminded that the search for roots is a universal endeavor – a journey that knits us together as humanity, spanning time and transcending borders. My business is more than a career; it's a declaration of our collective need to understand, to belong, and to honor those who came before us.

06/22/2023

While researching the history one of my clients 3x great grandfather, I came across this treasure that helped me better the story of my Ishmael Brown. Ishmael was sold after his owner died at the age six or seven years old to Daniel Brown. I was fortunate enough to be able to share this today in my recap session along with other major documents that helped me prove his transition during one of the most tumultuous events in American history. Everyone is not able to find their ancestors by name in historical documentation during this time period because enslaved people were considered the property of others. To be able to find this document open up so many doors to further understand how Ishmael can into possession of the Brown family to begin with and if there is any possibility of tracing his lineage back to Africa.

Here’s a transcription of the text: “Know all men by these presents, that we Timothy Brown & William Brown, administrators of the Estate of William Brown, deceased, have sold under the directions of the Court of the County of Copiah & State of Mississippi, one negro boy, named Ishmael, about six or seven years old, to Daniel Brown, who was the highest bidder for the same aforesaid, hereby make our convey & confirm unto the said Daniel Brown, all the right, title, & interest which the said Wm. Brown, deceased, had in in the said negro boy, Ishmael, at the time of his deceased & by our authority as administrators as aforesaid, we do guarantee, warrant & defend & confirm the right of the said property unto the said Daniel Brown, his heirs, and assigns forever. Signed, sealed, & delivered the 11th day of October in the year of our Lord 1831.

02/20/2023

I just want to shout out my family at BlackProGen Live for kicking off Real Talk on Reparations! Listen. Let me know what you feel about this!

It’s beyond 40 acres or a check. In this episode, we’ll discuss the importance and implications of legacies connected to slavery, under the radar issues, and...