Good Genes Genealogy Services, LLC

04/08/2026

(1866-1955) was the son of sharecroppers whose parents died early and was left to other family members to raise. At 13, Matthew worked as a cabin boy and learned the finer points of seamanship. He met at 18 and joined him for over 23 years exploring Greenland and the . Henson was a great role model and one of the greatest the world has ever seen.
Henson, at first, was largely overlooked for his accomplishments by the public, but Peary thought him to be ever loyal and indispensable. Peary said before the final journey to the North Pole, “Henson must go all the way. I can’t make it there without him.” Henson is now credited for being the first to plant a flag at the North Pole, arriving with three Inuits in 1909. Not until April 6, 1954, nearly half a century after he planted an American Flag at the pole, was Matthew honored with an invitation to the White House by President Dwight David Eisenhower. Additionally, Henson had the USNS Matthew Henson named after him in 1996. In 1988, Matthew Henson was reburied at Arlington National Cemetery by presidential order. Read about more at https://www.yocumblackhistory.org/

04/07/2026

Sometimes our ancestry searches yield updated and unexpected and even more mysterious results. Just last week, I was checking out a great uncle who I thought was named Harvey Robinson or Wilks. His draft card says differently. The one factor that I got right -- and so did my fellow family ancestry researchers -- is that my maternal great-grandmother, Edna Robinson, was his mother.
Research upshot: Keep reviewing existing records!

04/07/2026

This precious clipping from the late 1940s involves my inlaws -- now an ancestor Ruby Louise Mast Kimbrough.
Remember to search newspapers - The Black Dispatch - for family stories Are you searching for a new and exciting way to connect with your family's past? Look no further than the archives of The Black Dispatch, an acclaimed newspaper that has been capturing and documenting the stories of African American communities for over a century. Founded in 1915 by civil rights activist and journalist Roscoe Dungee, The Black Dispatch quickly became a pillar of the Black press, serving as a source of news and information for African Americans across the United States. Since then, it has been covering important local, national, and international events that have shaped the Black experience. The Black Dispatch is important to our African Diasporan genealogy research:

Rich in history: The newspaper has been a vital part of Black history, chronicling important events such as the Civil Rights Movement, the Great Migration, and the election of the first African American president.
Uncovering untold stories: The Black Dispatch regularly featured articles and obituaries about ordinary people in the community, giving valuable insight into the lives of your ancestors.
Community-focused: Unlike mainstream newspapers, The Black Dispatch focused on issues and events that were relevant to the Black community, providing a unique perspective on historical events.
Rare photographs and advertisements: Along with news articles, The Black Dispatch also featured rare photographs and advertisements, giving you a glimpse into the everyday life of your ancestors.

With its extensive coverage and rich historical value, The Black Dispatch offers a unique opportunity to uncover and preserve your family's stories.

02/28/2026

Great info!

Confusion. Too many “favorites” lists. Too many “Top 100” lists. Too many opinions. Indeed, that’s just what the myriads of “top website” lists are:...

01/31/2026

Deliberate Attempts to Block African Diasporan Research

The history of the African diaspora is a rich and complex tapestry, woven together with the blood, sweat, and tears of countless innocent Africans were who forcibly stolen from their once beautiful homes, palaces, and other grand estates. After enduring horrible conditions, they were shipped across the Atlantic Ocean and scattered across the globe. This diaspora has had a profound impact on the cultural, economic, and political landscapes of the countries where Africans were brought and has sparked a growing interest among family members on United States shores and researchers from around the globe.

One example is that once per month, I offer a free workshop for families seeking their ancestral linkages. It has grown from approximately 20 persons to more than one hundred in-person participants.

Intended Hinderance
Lately, I’ve encounted not-so-surprising roadblocks. There are several intentional activities in place to further thwart legitimate research efforts by genealogists like me and dedicated family members who simply wish to trace their roots to the ancestors who are waiting for us to discover them.

The pop-up notice on the enslaved.org website is an example of the “new normal” that is directed from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.



Enslaved.org
Enslaved.org is the latest in several research sites that are losing U.S. funding due to new “priorities”

There are countless other related efforts to shut down organizations that are providing information about U.S. history; Black history and African Diasporan history is U.S. history.

Support African Diasporan research
The deliberate attempts to block and hinder African diasporan research threaten to erase and silence the voices and experiences of those who have been historically marginalized, is unfortunate. This denial of information and knowledge not only prevents us from fully understanding our past, but also hinders our ability to create a more equitable and just future.

We must also consider the benefits of supporting and promoting African diasporan research. By allowing diverse perspectives to be heard and studied, we open up the possibility for important and groundbreaking discoveries that can shape and enrich all fields of study. Additionally, this research can have a positive impact on communities and individuals who have been historically marginalized, by giving them a voice and validating their experiences.

Purposeful moves to block African diasporan research have far-reaching and damaging consequences. By understanding the unique features of this subject, and acknowledging its value and benefits, we can work towards breaking down these barriers and fostering a more inclusive and accurate portrayal of our shared history.



Ready to get started on your genealogy journey? Need help breaking through brick walls and barriers uncovering your family’s story? Click here to explore our genealogy research options.

Have an interesting or exciting genealogy story to tell? Click here to tell us your story and be a part of our Root Revealed series.

01/28/2026

My ancestor: From Slavery to Freedom, Fortune and a Life of Stewardship
Good Genes Genealogy

01/28/2026

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While researching for an African Diaspora family, I ran into special challenges that many beginners and novice ancestral story seekers may also face: l

01/28/2026

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Good Genes Genealogy

He was a Mulatto slave who became a wealthy businessman, politician, college founder, co-founder of the CME church and much more. Isaac Harold Anderson (1835-1906)

01/28/2026

The Health Care Life Savers: Black Midwives during Jim Crow
https://goodgenesgenealogy.com

Look around and ask your African American adult family members if they were birthed by midwives. It is likely that if they were born in the segregated South, the answer is yes!

01/28/2026

Tuning into Good Vibes Genealogy
Good Genes Genealogy

Join me in listening and viewing this powerful podcast highlighting Black, African Diasporan, Indigenous, Native and American Indians and hosted by the

11/10/2025

https://goodgenesgenealogy.com/lineage-legacy-live/

Lineage and Legacy Live is a powerful exploration of identity, ancestry, and connection — featuring members of Hillside International Truth Center as they share their personal journeys through genealogy with Good Genes Genealogy Services.

10/24/2025

Tuning into Good Vibes Genealogy

Join me in listening and viewing this powerful podcast highlighting Black, African Diasporan, Indigenous, Native and American Indians and hosted by the