Genealogy Program & Expo: “Looking For History In Family Trees”

In partnership with the Baltimore Chapter of the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum invites visitors to explore the vital role of family history research within the African American community. Attendees can connect with local genealogists and view featured historical artifacts, including freedom papers, ancestral photographs, records of church founders, Civil War service records, and stock certificates from a family-owned Northern Virginia telephone business. Additionally, educator and historian Dr. Brian Morrison will highlight youth initiatives designed to inspire the next generation to uncover their lineage.

The event will also feature insightful discussions with historians Chris Haley (Maryland State Archives) and Dr. Martha Jones (Johns Hopkins University) as they examine their own family trees and historical legacies. Marking its 50th anniversary, Chris Haley—nephew of Alex Haley—will reflect on the enduring impact of ROOTS: The Saga of an American Family. Dr. Jones will share perspectives from her new book, The Trouble of Color: An American Family Memoir, tracing her personal ancestral journey alongside the broader dynamics of race and color.

“Artfully blending genealogy, historical research and self-reflection, the book is both a testament to the importance of preserving Black history and a compelling account of a single family’s trials and successes.”

—Smithsonian

Event Schedule

12 pm – 3:30 pm | Genealogy Expo

12:30 pm – 1 pm | Genealogy Youth Programming with Dr. Brian Morrison

1:30 pm – 2:45 pm | Our Family Legacies with Chris Haley and Dr. Martha Jones

A book signing will follow. This program is in conjunction with The Lines We Cross: 250 Years of Maryland Forging America.