STORIES OUR MOTHERS TOLD US: A SEARCH FOR Harriet … · my family history. My mother and...

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Harriet Tubman Mentoring Project Harry Bradshaw Matthews, Associate Dean

and Director, U.S. Pluralism Center

Founding President, USCT Institute

Hartwick College

Oneonta, New York 13820

[email protected]

A Research Experience by

Members of the Harriet Tubman

Mentoring Project

USCT Institute at Hartwick College

Harry Bradshaw Matthews, Preceptor

Associate Dean & USCTI President

March, 2014

STORIES OUR MOTHERS

TOLD US: A SEARCH FOR

ROOTS

Family Research: Oral History and

Document Search

U.S. Pluralism Center, Bresee 101, Hartwick College,

Oneonta, New York 13820

Harriet Tubman Mentors Search

for Roots

U.S. Pluralism Center and Experiential

Education for Tubman Mentors

The U.S. Pluralism Center strives to improve student experiential

education by introducing and guiding students in family research, as well

as the study of the Underground Railroad and the Civil War.

Participating students experience a common reference point for

engagement in experiential learning. The participants develop research

skills by following a prescribed format for investigation. In honor of

Harriet Tubman, who had an abiding devotion to family, the members

of the Harriet Tubman Mentoring Project have expanded their

experiential education to include exploring their individual family

histories through a common experience, including the following steps of

investigation:

Step One: Study the life of Harriet Tubman.

Step Two: Acquire an Oral History from One or More Elders.

Step Three: Search Online Sources for a Verifying Document.

Step Four: Prepare a Research Plan following an initial phase of primary

research (oral or written via consultation with the HTMP Preceptor).

Step Five: Place the ancestral findings within the historical context of the

anti-slavery movement, Underground Railroad, and or the post-Civil War

regarding the uplifting of the family.

An assessment of the experience will be in the form of a quiz,

documenting research findings, and sharing the findings with an

audience.

Pictured on Front Cover: Brianna Mckenzie, Jenifer Benn, Brianna

Dominique, Tyla Dwarica, Ayanna Jones, Moina Jerome, Danielle Graham,

Randre’a Dukes, M’Kaila Clark, Safay Johnson, Janisha Tejada-Mills, and

Angelique Jones. Absent: Hayley Dyer, and Dannie Toussaint

Page 19

Citing a Record Citing a Record

1940 Census, Puerto Rico, Passenger Manifest, Pan American

Andres Tejada World Airways, Inc., San Juan,

Puerto Rico to New York, January 3,

1952, passenger Andres Tejada

Citing a Record - Fold#3,

Death Record

Full Name: Andres Tejada

Birth: 04 May 1927

Death: 20 Jan 1994

Age: 66

Last Residence: Brooklyn, NY

Puerto Ricans of African descent were enlisted in the famed

369th Infantry Regiment from New York, known as the

“Hell Fighters” during World War I. The African American

and Puerto Rican men of the regiment fought under the

French command because of racism toward them by the

United States military. By the end of the war, the Hell

Fighters had earned the highest French military honor, the

Croix de guerre. Puerto Ricans from the island were

organized primarily during World War I and II as the

65th Infantry Regiment. The group was also known as

Borinqueneers. Back on the mainland, Puerto Rican

officers helped to train the famed Tuskegee Airmen at

the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama. They were

organized as the 99th Fighter Squadron. During the Korean War, the

65th Regiment of Puerto Rican soldiers distinguished itself in battle.

Harriet Tubman Mentors

Search for Roots


for Roots

JANISHA TEJADA-MILLS

Biology Major

Hometown—Brooklyn, New York

Ethnicity— Afro-Puerto Rican

Oral History—Before I began my recent

research, I knew absolutely nothing about

my family history. My mother and

grandmother would always tell me things

such as “your grandfather was a good

man” and how they wish I could have

grown to know him. These statements

pondered in my mind for a very long

time.

Why are You Doing Research? - I knew that there had to be more to

my family than just being Afro-Puerto Ricans.

What are Your Initial Research Findings? — Entering Hartwick

College, I heard of the Pluralism Association League for Students, eager

to learn more about it, I came into contact with Harry Bradshaw

Matthews. An intelligent individual, he knew more about my history than

I did! After a short period of time, we began a simple search. I was in

search of where I came from and who I really was.

We began with a “Family Tree”. As simple as this may sound, tracing

back generation before generation was not so easy. I knew part of my

family migrated from San Juan, Puerto Rico many years ago but that is as

far as my knowledge went. Although I had very minimal information,

Mr. Matthews allowed me to begin digging a huge hole in what will now

be one of my greatest accomplishments. Indicating just a first and last

name, I was able to find the military census from Puerto Rico with none

other than my grandfather (my mother’s father) name in it, Andres

Tejada. I look forward to continuing on the journey of my family history.

Not only will it help me understand my people, but also help mold me

into the person that I really am today.

PAGE 18


Search for Roots

Common Format

Your name, college major, and picture

Your hometown, place of birth, and ethnicity

Your oral history

Why are you doing research?

What are your initial research findings?

Family Research Tips and Sources

1. Oral History - Utilize the stories told by elders; examine pictures,

family documents, etc., for clues.

2. Free Negro Heads of Families in the United States in 1830,

Carter G. Woodson, 1925 - Each family identified with name of head

of household along with numerical counts for others in each household.

Compilation is by state, county, and town/city; a few locales are

missing.

3. Colored American, Anglo-African, Emancipator, National Anti-

Slavery Standard newspapers, etc., - Included the names and

communities/states where men and women of African descent resided.

4. Church Records -AME, AME Zion, Delaware Methodist,

Baptist, and other churches - Include not only names, but frequently

cite incidents involving members.

5. Tax Books - Frequently, men of color, Negro, black, were listed in a

separate listing in the back of tax books.

6. Family Search.org - Provides research sources for both the United

States and the international community. The documents shared have a

range from birth records to death information .

7. 1850 - 1870 Federal Census and other census records - The name

of each free person in a household was first recorded in the 1850 U.S.

Census; 1860 Census included pre-Civil War free families. Families are

also identified in Caribbean census documents, as well as publications

in the United States and abroad.


for Roots

PAGE 4

Harriet Tubman in Perspective Harry Bradshaw Matthews

Harriet Tubman was born into slavery

on the Eastern Shore of Maryland as

Araminta Ross in 1820. Her life jour-

ney brought her face-to-face with the

cruelty of the slavery system. She wit-

nessed everything from physical

bondage to total disregard of black

family structure that depended entire-

ly upon the whims of slave owners.

She left an extraordinary mark upon

the American soul, helping to reveal

the hypocrisy between American’s

claims of liberty for all and society’s

practices of racism. Yet, she never lost hope for a better tomorrow.

Her place in history is recalled in various publications remaining

today as vital links in the telling of her legacy.

Tubman was an active participant in the Underground Railroad

helping more than 100,000 enslaved persons escape to freedom. It

had its own language consisting of different definitions for terms

associated with the regular railroad.

It has been estimated between 1810-1850 approximately 100,000

enslaved persons escaped primarily to Canada; they were worth 30

million dollars. Tubman‘s escape from slavery occurred in 1849.

She then proceeded to serve as a conductor helping others escape.

While Canada was a Northern destination, the Caribbean includ-

ing Nassau, Bahamas, Jamaica and Haiti, were major Southern

points where runaways went. Enslaved persons continued escap-

ing into the early 1860s, to Oneonta, New York for example.


Search for Roots

Page 17

Its possible my great-great-great-grandparents were originally from

England and then immigrated to Jamaica. While this could be true,

currently I am working on finding the connection between the Irish and

Jamaican Neysmiths. Learning and discovering all the history about my

family has been fascinating. I love facts. Occasionally due to time some

oral stories become misconstrued urban legends or tall tales in a family.

Citing a Record

City of Newark, New Jersey, Bureau

of Vital Records, 1990

Death Certificate for Wesley

Alexander Bell, 1990, including the

naming of his parents, James Bell and

Alma Neysmith.

Citing a Record

"Jamaica, Civil Registration, 1880-1999," index and images,

FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XNHM-7PY:

accessed 07 Mar 2014), Elma Neysmith in entry for George Neysmith,

1919.

Citing a Record

"Jamaica Births and Baptisms, 1752-1920," index, FamilySearch

(https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XNV9-FBJ : accessed 07 Mar

2014), Mathilda Neysmith in entry for Not Named Neysmith, 01 Apr

1878; citing reference 26, FHL microfilm 1389536.


Search for Roots

Page 16

BRIANNA MCKENZIE

Political Science Major

Hometown—Columbus, Georgia

Ethnicity—Jamaican-American

Oral History— I knew stories I heard growing

up from my mother and grandmother that our

family in Jamaica was somewhat large. The

Bell family came from Portland, Jamaica. The

size of our family was contributed to by my

grandfather Wesley Bell. He had a plethora of

known and unknown relatives, siblings, and

children. It was rumored he had a couple of

relatives of Indian heritage.

Why are You Doing Research? - I want to learn the truth behind my

history. My goal is to check the validity of these stories I’ve been told

and not continue to accept it at its face value as the truth.

What are Your Initial Research Findings? Now that my research is in

full swing, I’ve discovered a number of things about my grandfather’s

side of the family. I was originally told that my great-grandparents’

names were Alma-Mae Smith and Jackie Bell. I recalled my mother pos-

sessed her father’s death certificate. Wesley Bell emigrated from Jamai-

ca to the United States like the rest of his family. However, he died a few

years after he came to the U.S. Listed on his death certificate are his

parent’s names James Bell and Alma Neysmith. Prior to receiving the

death certificate I had immense difficulty finding any information on

Wesley Bell. Once I realized the spelling error, I obtained a flood of in-

formation. I found upon one record a christening of a Nasmyth child da-

ting back to 1795. My grandmother and mother were correct about the

Bell lineage being centralized in Portland, Jamaica.

I also found that the Neysmith clan originated oversees in Scotland. Over

the holidays my aunt told me about some relatives of Wesley Bell.


Search for Roots

PAGE 5

In Sarah H. Bradford’s second book, Tubman, Harriet: The Moses of Her People, she shares one of the heroine’s more important remembrances. “This war our brave heroine had ex-pected, and its result, the emancipation of the slaves. Three years before, while staying with the Rev. Henry Highland Garnet in New York, a vision came to her in the night of the emancipation of her people. Whether a dream, or one of those glimpses into the future, which sometimes seem to have been granted to her, no one can say, but the effect upon her was very remarkable. “She rose singing, ‘My people are free! My people are free!” She came down to breakfast singing the words in a sort of ecstasy. She could not eat. The dream or vision filled her whole soul, and physi-cal needs were forgotten.” Mr. Garnet said to her: “Oh, Harriet! Harriet! You’ve come to torment us before the time; do cease this noise! My grandchildren may see the day of emanci-pation of our people, but you and I will never see it.” “I tell you sir, you’ll see it, and you’ll see it soon. My people are free! My people are free!” “When, three years later, President Lincoln’s proclamation of emancipation was given forth, and there was a great jubilee among the friends of the slaves, Harriet was continually asked, “Why do you not join with the rest in their rejoicing!” “Oh, she answered, “I had my jubilee three years ago. I rejoiced all

I could den; I can’t rejoice no more.”


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PAGE 6

Families Following the Civil War Harry Bradshaw Matthews

There were 200,000 black soldiers who

fought in the Union Army during the Civil

War, including Tubman’s future husband,

Nelson Davis. Included among the ranks

were men from every Caribbean territory

and Canada. When the Bureau of Refugees,

Freedmen, and Abandoned Laws was estab-

lished in 1865 a primary task was organiz-

ing the newly freed persons into family

units, complete with name selections and

marriage certificates (also known as co-

habitation certificates).

For those who resided within the Freed-

men’s Bureau Department of Tennessee and

the State of Arkansas, they came under the

law of marriage as decreed by the Secretary

of War, in Special Order No. 15, March 28,

1864. Other Freedmen were guided by

Mansfield French’s orders affecting Florida,

Georgia and South Carolina. Ordained min-

isters were authorized to solemnize marriag-

es among the Freedmen guided by specific

instructions. One important point in this

scenario was a “baby’s daddy” was often

forced to live with the mother of the child,

even if the two adults had not been together

at the time of freedom. In such cases, the family unit was corrupted or

doomed to fail from the off-set.


Search for Roots

PAGE 15

Citing a Record

Familysearch.org; Jamaica Trelawny Civil Reg-

istration of Birth, 1880-1999, Rosana Caulies

Citing a Record

Google; 1840 Jamaica Almanac, Trelawny, Proprietors, etc., Properties,

etc., Acres, Robert Thompson, 263

Robert Elliott was born of Jamaican parents,

educated in England, and relocated to Barnwell,

South Carolina as a lawyer shortly after the Civ-

il War. He was elected as one of the first black

Congressmen in the United States.


for Roots

PAGE 14

SAFAY JOHNSON

Biology Major

Hometown—Bronx, New York

Ethnicity — Jamaican

Oral History—My great-great-grandmother,

Vastina Seivwright, was born to a mixed Belize-

an woman and a Scottish or Irish father in Jamai-

ca. When I was younger I always remembered

Vastina telling me about how it was difficult for

her growing up in the community because she

was a different color than everyone else in the

community. She also told many stories about visiting her father’s rela-

tives who resided in the neighboring parish. I do not recall her telling me

stories about her maternal side, except that her mother’s last name was

Callie.

Why are You Doing Research? - For the personal satisfaction of know-

ing my roots.

What are Your Initial Research Findings? — I started my research by

investigating Vastina’s paternal side. The results of my research corrobo-

rated Vastina’s father was indeed Scottish. I found an article that stated

the name Seiwright originated in Scotland and England. In the mid 1800s

there was a large number of Scots living in close proximity to where Vas-

tina’s paternal family lived.

After a few days of research on Familysearch.org I found the Jamaican

Census for births, deaths, and marriages from 1880 through 1990. The

census contained Vastina’s birth record which showed Vastina’s mother

listed as Rose Ann Caulius and the maternal grandfather as Robert

Thompson. I then found a Planter/Plantation Almanac that listed Robert

Thompson as the owner of 263 acres of land in Jamaica.

Slavery came to a complete end in Jamaica between 1834-1838.


Search for Roots

PAGE 7

In other cases, however, loved ones were able to find each other after the

war and were determined to gain legal documents substantiating their

marriage. The military records of USCT

emerged as important documents in fami-

ly research. In 1865, the clerk of each

township in America was required to

compile a listing of each person who

served as a soldier during the war. Usual-

ly in the format of books, the 1865 compi-

lation frequently identified a wife, moth-

er, or children of the soldier. The listing

of soldiers can also be found in census reports of 1865. Further, in 1883,

H. M. Teller, Secretary of the Interior, released the listing of pensioners

of previous wars, which was sub-divided by state, county, and township.

The family of Harriet Tubman Davis is documented in census records in

Auburn, New York. Tubman and her husband were also noted in military

pension documents.as well. The records

serve as examples for the Tubman Men-

tors to use in their respective family re-

search studies.

In the pages that follow, students share

their respective oral history and initial

research findings.


for Roots

PAGE 8

M’KAILA CLARK

Nursing Major

Hometown—Syracuse, New York

Ethnicity— African American

Oral History— Before I began my family

research I knew my great-great-grandfather

had fled the South for freedom in the North

and acquired the last name Clark through

his work alongside a Colonel Clark. I was

equipped with a newspaper article that fol-

lowed alongside my oral history. I heard

about my great-great-great-grandfather Na-

thaniel Clark, whom I was told about by my

father and grandfather. Thus, I knew my

ancestor, Nathaniel Clark, was a slave before the Civil War, born on a

plantation between Fredericksburg and Fort Royal, Virginia owned by a

Mrs. Mildred Buckner. Nathaniel was appraised at 18 years of age at the

rate of 500 dollars to Mary Buckner. When the Civil War broke out, he

was a porter in a hotel at Bowling Green five miles from Fredericksburg.

He was there until the Northern Army, under the command of Ambrose

Burnside, took him and other slaves who were assigned different posts

for duty. During the war, Nathaniel was also assigned by General Meade

to be a cook and care taker for Colonel Clark. Colonel Clark travelled to

Naples, New York after the war, bringing along Nathaniel, who began

first by boat to New York City, then to Elmira by train. From there Na-

thaniel rode his horse to the freedom of Naples, New York.

Why are You Doing Research? - To gain a better sense of my identity

and how my lineage connects to me.

What are Your Initial Research Findings? - After diving into research

I have been able to study the 1870 Census, finding Nathaniel and con-

firming his date of birth and birth place. So far I have not been able to

find all the faults and errors in my oral history, however, I am still con-

tinuing this research project in search of clarifying details. So far, I have

helped clarify names and dates associated with my family by searching

obituary articles in newspapers and census reports.

DANNIE TOUSSAINT

Biology/Pre-Med Major

Hometown— Coram, New York

Ethnicity—Haitian-American

Oral History — I am the first of

my family born in the United

States, my mother, sister and fa-

ther were all born in Haiti. On my

mother’s side, I know of my

grandfather, Dieu-se Clairvoix and

his mother, Tanicia Clairvoix and

my grandmother, Francine Ocean.

On my Father’s side, I only know

of my grandparents, who are Evariste Toussaint and Eileen Toussaint.

Why are You Doing Research? - I feel the need to know exactly who I

am and who my ancestors were. If I am able to find them, it would give

me great joy and pride.

What are Your Initial Research Find-

ings— Mr. Matthews and I have searched

for information on websites such as Fami-

ly Search as well as many Haitian web-

sites, but we have yet to find connecting

information. I located the district that

was identified in my oral history. Specifi-

cally, Petite-Rivie`re-de-Nippes is a mu-

nicipality in the Miragoane Arrondisse-

ment, in the Nippes Department of Haiti.

I am also interested in the Artibonite De-

partment of Haiti. One intriguing aspect

of my research was learning that Haiti,

under the rule of Henri Christophe, had a

royal court, complete with coats-of-arms

for the emperor, queen, princes, princess-

es and other nobles.

Hartwick College Mentors

Search for Roots

PAGE 13


for Roots

PAGE 12

MOINA JEROME

Business Administration Major

French Minor

Hometown— Brooklyn, New York

Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Ethnicity—Haitian

Oral History - My mother told me that my

great grandmother, Alcemena Moredio, was

Dominican and my great grandfather,

Pharicien Floreal, was Haitian. He met her

while traveling to the Dominican Republic.

From my grandmother’s side, my great

grandfather’s name was Cyrilas Louis, he was Haitian and he traveled to

Cuba. We never received word from him, we do not know if he made it

to Cuba or not. My great-grandmother’s name is Rosanne Pierre.

Why are You Doing Research? - I am doing this research because there

are too many unanswered questions in my family. I want to know more

about my family tree. If I do not do it then who will?

What are Your Initial Research Find-

ings? - I have not found anything yet but I

am still searching. I have gained an aware-

ness of Haitian history I never knew, such

as the fact that Haitians have coats-of -arms

from the early 1800s, during King Henri

Christophe’s time. Few people have ever

seen it. It is also interesting, that King

Christophe fought in the American Revolu-

tion as a young man. I will continue my

search.

Citing a Record

The Matthews Collection for Freedom Journey Classics


Search for Roots

PAGE 9

Citing a Record

Naples Record, Wednesday,

April 10, 1929

Nathaniel Clark’s obituary

appeared in several newspa-

pers. The newspaper clips

(left) were preserved by the

Clark family through the

generations, but without the

newspaper source. M’Kaila

corrected the omission, by

locating “Former Naples

Resident, Once a Slave,”

that was published in the

Naples Record, Wednesday,

April 10, 1929.

Citing a Record

1940 New York State Census, Nathaniel Clark’s Family residing in Penn

Yan, Milo Town.


for Roots

PAGE 10

HAYLEY DYER

Sociology Major

Hometown— Staatsburg, New York

Ethnicity— Irish/German/Italian/African

American

Oral History— I knew just about nothing

about my history. My family never really

spoke about it with us and it was never

really a topic of discussion in my house.

Why are You Doing Research? - I have

always been curious about where my fami-

ly came from and what we were about. It

has always been a mystery to me and I felt

a little incomplete not knowing who I am.

It was like a part of me was missing.

What are Your Initial Research Findings? - Once starting the re-

search project, I have learned from my mother, Patricia Ann Heidel-

berger, that my grandparents were Diane McGrath of Rockaway, NY,

who married William Francis Heiderberger III from Queens, NY .The

couple was born respectively on August 11, 1946 and January 21, 1944. I

also learned that my father, Paul William Dyer, was the son of Wilbert

Mae Akers and Leroy Dyer.

During my research, I learned of a William Frances Heidelberger , who

had a WWI Draft Registration Card, Digital Folder # 005262749, GS File

# 001753941. He lived in New York City. In the Social Security Death

Index, I located one Gertrude M. Heidelberger who was born May 22,

1918 and died on January 2, 2009. She lived in Queens Village, NY.

Finally, I located the naturalization card for a William F. Heidelberger,

which was received at the Supreme Court of New York County on May

7, 1896. He was residing at the time at 43 Windsor Place, Brooklyn. He

was born on March 23, 1873 in Germany. He arrived to New York City

on November 15, 1879. He was a porter at the time of his naturalization.

I have to continue to try to connect the above William Frances Heidel-

berger with my lineage.


Search for Roots

PAGE 11

Citing a Record

Common Plea Court, NY,

July 25, 1867

William Francis Heidel-

berger’s Naturalization

Card, born in Germany

Citing a Record

Registration Card for

William Francis’Heidel-

berger, WWI

Citing a Record

1940 Census for Wil-

liam Frances Heidel-

berger, Bronx, NY

STORIES OUR MOTHERS TOLD US: A SEARCH FOR Harriet … · my family history. My mother and...

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