Sons & Daughters of the United States Middle Passage
Sons & Daughters of the United States Middle Passage (SDUSMP) is a lineage society for descendants of individuals enslaved in English colonial America and the United States of America from 1619-1865. It is dedicated to preserving the memory of our freed and enslaved ancestors. The organization was started in 2011 and incorporated in Washington, D.C. SDUSMP is a non-profit, charitable 501(c)3 organization.
Their Mission is to:
1. Commemorate the memory of our enslaved ancestors;
2. Connect ourselves to our ancestors and each other through genealogical research; and
3. Educate others about American slavery and its impact on today’s society.
The Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) is dedicated to advancing the study and research of African American history and genealogy. It offers a range of resources and tools to assist in the discovery and preservation of the historical narratives of African American families. These resources include access to historical records, guidance on genealogical research techniques, and a community of experts and enthusiasts who share insights and advice. The society also organizes conferences, publishes journals, and provides educational materials, all aimed at facilitating the exploration and understanding of African American ancestral histories. For more in-depth information, their official website is a valuable resource.
Association for the Study of African American Life and History
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is a vital organization dedicated to the research, preservation, interpretation, and dissemination of information about Black life, history, and culture. Founded in 1915 by Carter G. Woodson, ASALH serves both academic and general populations, offering a wealth of resources for those interested in African American history, including genealogical research.
ASALH offers various research tools and resources that can be particularly useful in tracing African American ancestry. These include:
- Scholarly Journals: ASALH publishes several scholarly journals, such as the Journal of African American History, the Black History Bulletin, and Fire!!! The Multimedia Journal of Black Studies. These journals contain research articles, historical studies, and various writings that can provide valuable insights and context for genealogical research.
- Educational and Cultural Programs: The organization conducts events like the Black History Month Virtual Festival and various symposiums and workshops. These programs often include discussions and presentations that can be valuable for understanding the broader historical context of African American life.
- Toolkits and Workshops: ASALH has developed resources like the “Black Family: United by History, Restored by Storytelling Toolkit,” which provides information on oral storytelling, genealogy, and familial archiving. These can be instrumental for individuals looking to trace their family histories.
- Publishing Resources: The ASALH Press publishes a limited number of books that might contain valuable information for genealogical research.
- Online Resources and Partnerships: ASALH’s website and social media channels offer various resources, including links to historical records, educational content, and community news that can be useful in genealogical research.
The combination of scholarly resources, educational programs, and specialized toolkits makes ASALH a significant resource for anyone researching African American genealogy.
The National Genealogical Society (NGS) is a membership-based organization in the United States dedicated to genealogical research and education. Founded in 1903, its primary goals are to provide education and training for genealogists, to promote the standards of genealogical research, and to advocate for the preservation and access of genealogical records.
The NGS offers a variety of resources for both amateur and professional genealogists, including:
- Publications: The NGS publishes a quarterly magazine, the “NGS Magazine,” and a scholarly journal, the “National Genealogical Society Quarterly,” both of which contain articles on genealogical research methods, case studies, book reviews, and other content of interest to genealogists.
- Educational Programs: NGS provides educational opportunities through webinars, online courses, and an annual conference that features a wide range of lectures and workshops led by experienced genealogists.
- Guidelines and Standards: The organization promotes high standards in genealogical research and has published guidelines and standards to help researchers produce accurate, reliable work.
- Advocacy: NGS advocates for the preservation and access to public records, which are vital to genealogical research.
- Research Assistance: While the NGS does not conduct personal genealogical research for individuals, it offers guidance and resources to help people conduct their own research.
The NGS caters to all levels of interest and expertise in genealogy, from beginners to advanced researchers. It plays a significant role in the genealogical community by fostering the growth and development of the field.
The Toni Morrison Society was founded May 28, 1993, at the annual meeting of the American Literature Association in Baltimore, Maryland. At the invitation of Carolyn Denard, then an Associate Professor of English at Georgia State University, twenty-six scholars and supporters of Morrison’s work met in Baltimore to establish the Toni Morrison Society as an official member of the coalition of American author societies that comprise the American Literature Association. With its founding, the Toni Morrison Society became the 41st author society of the Association and the fourth dedicated to an African American author.
Five months after the founding of the Society, Toni Morrison won the 1993 Nobel Prize for Literature. With the increased interest in Morrison’s works after she won the Nobel Prize, the Society quickly grew from a small body of devoted Morrison scholars in the United States to an international literary society of more than 700 members, whose home countries include Japan, Kenya, Ghana, Egypt, France, England, Germany, China, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and Australia. The Advisory Board is made up of leading individuals in the academic, art, business, and lay communities who support and wish to enhance the mission of the Society. In 1995, the Society was incorporated and chartered in the state of Georgia. In 1997, the Society became a registered, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
The Society’s mission is “to initiate, sponsor, and encourage critical dialogue, scholarly publications, conferences, and projects devoted to the study of the works of Toni Morrison”. Because of Morrison’s broad intellectual and artistic interests, the programming initiatives of the Society have, over the years, expanded beyond the study of her novels to a include the political, cultural, and historical implications of her works in writing, teaching, and arts stewardship.
