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The value of meeting together
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Last weekend, on November 7, this author attended the meeting of the Baltimore chapter of the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society, of which I am a member. This organization meets for a few hours on the first Saturday of every month. This month, I attended with my friend Robyn Smith, who writes the “Reclaiming Kin” blog, and another researcher named Aaron Dorsey. Robyn also teaches a course in “Advanced African-American Research” at the local community college, and several of the students from her most recent semester attended the chapter meeting for the first time.
At the last minute, our scheduled speaker had had to cancel, so we all brainstormed some ideas for the chapter in the coming year. A writer’s group was formed, and several of the newer members were able to connect with more experienced researchers to form mentoring relationships.
What was special about this particular meeting is that it was the first meeting after the International Black Genealogy Summit in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the end of October. A group of members had rented a van, and driven to Fort Wayne to attend the Summit. These members were able to connect with other genealogists at the Summit, share their experiences, and report back to those of us who could not make it.
After the meeting, seven of us, including Robyn, Angela Walton-Raji of the “African Roots Podcast,” Aaron, and myself, went out to lunch, where we all enjoyed great food and great conversation. The value of this lunch cannot be overstated, as genealogists of various levels of experience were able to discuss our experiences and resources we have used, in an informal and intimate environment.
There are groups much like ours around the country. These groups all came together to organize the International Black Genealogy Summit, and it was an enormous success. Researchers from around the country visited Fort Wayne, attracted by renowned lecturers and the opportunity to network with each other. Yet many of us still work in seclusion. Many genealogists work on their own families but do nothing to connect with or contribute to the genealogy community as a whole.
The Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society (AAHGS, pronounced “oggs”) was established in Washington, D. C., in 1977, and now has chapters in eighteen states and the District of Columbia. According to a brief history extracted on their website, this organization itself grew out of an informal meeting of a handful of genealogists who had a common interest. If you live in one of the states in which there is already a local chapter of AAHGS, please consider joining. You must first be a member of the national organization in order to join a chapter.
The benefits of joining this, and other local genealogical societies such as those based on geography, are innumerable. Society journals and newsletters often provide local record transcriptions or abstracts, research on area families, or profiles of records and resources. In addition to the published resources, local societies usually have several experienced genealogists who can provide much-needed guidance in researching a particular locale or solving a brickwall problem. In the case of AAHGS, the membership of the Baltimore chapter (BAAHGS) covers nearly the entire southern United States and several northern states among its locations of interest. Beginning genealogists who join this helpful group can find someone from whom to learn, no matter where their focus lies.
Many other organizations also have special interest groups on various topics. These special interest groups (“SIGs”) are much smaller groups with a much more specific focus. For example, the writers’ group that we just formed will likely provide some much-needed support for those of us who write. Local genealogical societies may also have SIGs focusing on writing, research areas, ethnic research, or users’ groups for various software programs.
Attending society meetings provide many other opportunities for learning experiences. Meeting programs often include guest speakers, special videos or discussions, research trips to local (or distant) records repositories, and brickwall “brainstorming” sessions.
While much has been made of the new advances in online communication, there is still no substitution for meeting and communing with other genealogists in person.
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