History center offering tips on researching black genealogy in DeKalb

The Freeman Record documented the names, ages, birth places, residences and brief descriptions of all free African Americans residing in DeKalb County from 1851 to 1864, according to the history center.

Credit: DeKalb History Center

Credit: DeKalb History Center

The Freeman Record documented the names, ages, birth places, residences and brief descriptions of all free African Americans residing in DeKalb County from 1851 to 1864, according to the history center.

The DeKalb History Center is hosting a class Feb. 1 focused on researching African American genealogy in the county.

The research class, titled “An Introduction to African American Genealogy in DeKalb County,” will cover the obstacles in researching genealogy, and will provide some of the best resources and tricks for finding people in your family history.

It will be hosted by Laurel Wilson, a historian who has researched and documented the lives of early African Americans in Decatur.

“A common theme among research into African American history and genealogy is the lack of resources written or kept about people, and this is true here in DeKalb County, Georgia, too,” the history center said in a statement.

Spots at the event are limited, and cost $10 for history center members and $15 for non-members. It will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Feb. 1 at the Historic DeKalb Courthouse, located in Decatur Square.

Residents can buy tickets in advance online, in person or by phone at 404-373-1088, extension 20.

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