“How Stories Passed Down Through the Generations Can Help Uncover a Family’s Journey: The Story of B-Papa” by Dara Tolbert Brooks

The Manatee Genealogical Society will host a hybrid meeting and program on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, 10:00 am to 12:00 pm EST.

Our program speaker, Dara Tolbert Brooks, will present in-person “How Stories Passed Down Through the Generations Can Help Uncover a Family’s Journey: The Story of B-Papa”.

B-Papa was the first ancestor I felt a real connection to because of the stories I learned from my paternal grandmother. Through her, a flame was lit that has propelled me forward on my genealogical journey spanning the decades. It’s not been enough to just research my ancestors. I embrace them, walk in their shoes on the very land that they walked. As I learn as much as we can about their lives, the environment and times in which they lived, and the effects through the generations, I keep them alive by telling their stories.

Dara is a member of Genealogical Society of Sarasota where she facilitates The Scribes writing group; African-American Historical & Genealogical Society (AAHGS); Alabama Genealogy Society (AGS); National Genealogical Society (NGS); Macomb County Genealogy Group (MCGG)(Michigan); New England Historical Genealogical Society (NEHGS); and the Rosedale Writers Group.

She is a regular contributor to genealogical based and recreational boater-based publications with research on the shelves of the Burton Historical Collection (Detroit) and the Alabama Department of Archives & History (Montgomery). She maintains a Find-A-Grave account where she regularly documents graves and manages 270 memorials of her family. A contributor to Beyond Kin, she posts the names of enslaved persons identified during her research in order to help others identify and make connections to their ancestors.

Immediately following the meeting, we will begin our “Members Helping Members” session.

Members of the public are welcome to attend. Guests attending via Zoom must register at least one day in advance by emailing: info@mgsfl.org. Participants attending in person will meet at the Manatee Central Library, which is located at 1301 Barcarrota Blvd West, Bradenton, Florida 34205. The Manatee Central Library Auditorium will open at 9:45 a.m. for in-person attendees. The Zoom meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. EST.

For more information, please visit our website at: mgsfl.org/.