Black Genealogy Research Group

04/29/2026

Join us on Saturday May 2, 2026 for a BGRG presentation:
Breathing Life into Ancestral Stories: Using Social History in Genealogical Research
Presenter: Robyn N. Smith, Genealogist

What more can you learn about your ancestor’s lives beyond names, dates and places? How can you uncover more about their social history and their communities? In this presentation, learn how to find the details that make their stories come alive.

Bio
Robyn Smith has been researching her family and others for over twenty-five years. She specializes in court and land records, genealogy skill building and slavery research. A respected speaker in the field, Robyn has taught widely at genealogy conferences, for genealogical societies across the U.S. and for institutions such as the Maryland State Archives, the National Archives (Atlanta), RootsTech 2025 and the Smithsonian African American Museum.

BGRG of Seattle is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Seattle BGRG Meeting
Time: May 2, 2026,11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81580506499?pwd=9VymgSuJb7A8a62FyNL0c68e3JbzNa.1

Meeting ID: 815 8050 6499
Passcode: 944972

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03/27/2026

Please join us on Saturday April 4 2026 for a BGRG presentation on The Civil Rights Movement and the Journey “Home”.
“Home is where the heart is….” But what if ancestrally the heart has been in many places?
Our presenter, Carol Ross, born and raised in the Northeast and with deep Southern roots, will share highlights of “Echoes of the Movement,” her 9-day Civil Rights Bus Tour through six Southern states. As she journeys to historic sites of the Civil Rights Movement, learn how the movement informs her story of identity and what it means to return “home.”

Additionally, you are invited to share your story and imagine your family's story during the period surrounding the historic Civil Rights Movement. What is your earliest recollection? Where were your people and what were the challenges, influences or contributions?

BGRG of Seattle is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Seattle BGRG Meeting
Time: Saturday April 4, 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83865763796?pwd=3bULS5bFxWM8UrV5IdleIPMNGtfcbD.1

Meeting ID: 838 6576 3796
Passcode: 626133

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03/05/2026

As requested by our members, we are meeting in-person two times in 2026! On Saturday, March 7th at 1:00 to 3:00, WE ARE MEETING IN-PERSON!
This will be a time for us to gather, meet others who are interested in Black family history/genealogy and learn from each other.

After a welcome and greetings, we will have a short presentation on Organizing Your Photo Collection followed by one-to-one or small group support on your research. BGRG volunteers will facilitate the help session.

Please use this link to register and let-us know you are coming: https://kcls.bibliocommons.com/events/695d724a94297d3600a3a1a8

Date: Saturday, March 7, 2026.
Time: 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Location: Skyway Library, Meeting Room
12601 76th Ave. S., Seattle 98178

Please bring a laptop or tablet, your research materials, questions to ask and tips to share.
Light refreshments and drinks will be served.
We hope to see you there!

How can I preserve my family history? Who are my people? Join members of the Black Genealogy Research Group of Seattle and find out! Learn basic family history skills and get one-to-one help on your genealogy journey in a friendly space. March topic: Photo Storage and Organizing Tips - Sort, curate....

02/02/2026

Join Seattle BGRG and celebrate Black History Month on Saturday, February 7th.

Three Door Prizes will be awarded! (Must be present on Zoom to win!)

"Celebrating Deep Roots in Your Family Tree"
Guest Speakers: Tom S. Brown and Gary Wyatt (Lytle Cousins)
Tom and Gary will share the inspiring story of how they found each other and connected branches of their family. They will also discuss their approaches to contacting descendants of enslavers and the tool they use to track their ancestors' history.

Bio – Tom and Gary met over Zoom during COVID and finally met face-to-face at their Lytle Family Reunion near Asheboro, North Caroline in 2023. They continue to nurture their familial bond and learn more about the common history they share.

BGRG of Seattle is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Seattle BGRG Meeting
Time:11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83865763796?pwd=3bULS5bFxWM8UrV5IdleIPMNGtfcbD.1

Meeting ID: 838 6576 3796
Passcode: 626133

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

12/31/2025

Please join us on Saturday, January 10th for our first meeting of 2026. In spite of the challenges thrown our way this year, we are still standing strong! As Black Family Historians, we continue to discover, document and share our stories with the next generations. At our January meeting, we will take time to CELEBRATE our individual achievements, SHARE our genealogy intentions for 2026 and ENJOY some exciting news for BGRG! Be sure to attend and invite a friend!

BGRG of Seattle is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Seattle BGRG Meeting
Time: Jan 10, 2026 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83865763796?pwd=3bULS5bFxWM8UrV5IdleIPMNGtfcbD.1

Meeting ID: 838 6576 3796
Passcode: 626133

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

10/27/2025

Hello BGRG Members and Friends

Please join the Black Genealogy Research Group (BGRG) on Saturday November 1st for our annual meeting. We have had an amazing year! Together let's celebrate our successes, show gratitude for our community and share our personal family history accomplishments.

We will dedicate time at the meeting to discuss the leadership and volunteer needs of BGRG. As we head into 2026, BGRG and our community needs your time, talents and support. Black Family History is America's Story Too!
This is our last meeting for 2025 – Be part of the joy and journey!

BGRG of Seattle is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting..

Topic:: Seattle BGRG Meeting
Time: Nov 1, 2025 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83865763796?pwd=3bULS5bFxWM8UrV5IdleIPMNGtfcbD.1

Meeting ID: 838 6576 3796
Passcode: 626133

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Join instructions
https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/83865763796/invitations?signature=IZqnTD5ca_Ki--Skq5-HtuayUNHHTpktgVe1dThEWMU

10/01/2025

October 2025 - This is a quick reminder that spaces for our annual Black Family Heritage Celebration are filling up quickly. We have a wonderful group of presenters. Below is a summary of the sessions. Hope to see you there.
Here is the link for registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-family-heritage-celebration-2025-tickets-1717175731839?aff=oddtdtcreator

Keynote Presentation

Seeing with Other Eyes by Esther Mumford, Historian
Drawing on her life's work as a researcher, lecturer, consultant, author, curator and small press partner, Esther will share insights which began with her experience conducting oral history interviews of elderly Seattle African Americans in the mid-1970's.

Kick off Family History Month with us! Celebrate Black Families, Legacy and Joy! Every family has a story. Discover yours.

08/28/2025

Hello BGRG Members and Friends,
Join Seattle BGRG for a special presentation on Saturday September 6th at 11:00am (PDT).

Black Farmers & The Black Freedom Struggle

This presentation will (re)introduce Black Farmers Collective and the work we're doing to advance Food Justice Locally. We will also discuss the broader history and ongoing struggles of Black Farmers in America.

Bio: Brukab serves as community educator for Black Farmers Collective and co-manages Yes Farm, an urban learning farm and p-patch in the Yesler Terrace neighborhood of Seattle. His background is in Black Studies, which he taught at the University of Washington and Western Washington University. He is also the steward of his own farm this year, Alemu Desalegn Farm, as part of Black Farmers Collective's incubator program.

BGRG of Seattle is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting..
Topic: Seattle BGRG Meeting
Time: Sep 6, 2025 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83865763796?pwd=3bULS5bFxWM8UrV5IdleIPMNGtfcbD.1

Meeting ID: 838 6576 3796
Passcode: 626133

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

08/28/2025

Hello BGRG Members and Friends,
Join Seattle BGRG for a special presentation on September 6th at 11:00am (PDT).

Black Farmers & The Black Freedom Struggle

This presentation will (re)introduce Black Farmers Collective and the work we're doing to advance Food Justice Locally. We will also discuss the broader history and ongoing struggles of Black Farmers in America.

Bio: Brukab serves as community educator for Black Farmers Collective and co-manages Yes Farm, an urban learning farm and p-patch in the Yesler Terrace neighborhood of Seattle. His background is in Black Studies, which he taught at the University of Washington and Western Washington University. He is also the steward of his own farm this year, Alemu Desalegn Farm, as part of Black Farmers Collective's incubator program.

BGRG of Seattle is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting..
Topic: Seattle BGRG Meeting
Time: Sep 6, 2025 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83865763796?pwd=3bULS5bFxWM8UrV5IdleIPMNGtfcbD.1

Meeting ID: 838 6576 3796
Passcode: 626133

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

07/29/2025

BGRG is doing something new for our Saturday, August 2nd meeting. WE ARE MEETING IN-PERSON!
This will be a time for us to gather, meet in small study groups and learn from each other. We will have three groups led by BGRG members. The topics offered will be:
• Tracing Ancestors from the 1870 Census back to Enslavement Records
• Finding Clues in Vital Records
• Research Resources and Tools to Explore

Date: Saturday, August 2nd, 2025.
Time: 11:00 am to 1:30 pm
(Please note, the library opens at 11:00 am)
Location: Skyway Library, Meeting Room
12601 76th Ave. S., Seattle 98178

Please bring a laptop or tablet, your research materials, questions to ask and tips to share.
Light refreshments and drinks will be served.
We hope to see you there!

06/05/2025

Hello BGRG Members and friends,
Join BGRG on June 7 for a very special presentation.


Cluster Research: Using Groups of People to Find Your People
Presenter: Robyn N. Smith, Genealogist

Our ancestors did not live in a vacuum. They lived, worked, socialized and married alongside a group of people. Researching this larger group of people often leads to greater success in genealogical research.

Bio:
Robyn Smith has been researching her family and others for over twenty-five years. She specializes in court and land records, genealogy skill building and slavery research.
A respected speaker in the field, Robyn has taught widely at genealogy conferences, for genealogical societies across the U.S. and for institutions such as the Maryland State Archives, the National Archives (Atlanta), RootsTech 2025 and the Smithsonian African American Museum.


BGRG of Seattle is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Seattle BGRG Meeting
Time: Jun 7, 2025 11:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81580506499?pwd=9VymgSuJb7A8a62FyNL0c68e3JbzNa.1

Meeting ID: 815 8050 6499
Passcode: 944972

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.