"Finding Your Roots" on PBS

[Behind the Aegis]

10. Yes, it is very difficult for both groups.

I am still using Ancestry.com, but I have learned to use other sites as I stumble across them. Jews have a problem as many of us were immigrants and our ancestors changed their names when coming to this country. Sometimes, it is close enough to take a guess, and other times it isn't even remotely close to a current name. Ancestry also has a "help" section if you are exploring African-American heritage. It is where I found out about the "1870 Wall", but there are ways to search around it, and there are also sections which only search African-American ((B)lack, (C)olored, (M)ulatto, (N)egro all terms used in records) roots. Another group which has a very difficult time are the Native Americans. The Cherokee and few other nations have some pretty good records, but you have to approach the individual nation and it can be quite expensive! I am hitting a wall with that group too. It is family "legend" so far, but it does seem the possibility is high as there are two ancestors which are proving to be quite elusive.

As for AA people, one "trick" I have learned is to search the old white pages because they often list a known address and sometimes spouses and neighbors, which can lead to finding other information. Also, one has to really pay attention to registers. One of my friend's relatives was listed as "C" (Colored) in the 1880 census, but the 1890 one, was listed as "M" (Mulatto), and in 1910 or 1920, I can't remember) was listed as "W"....WHITE! But it was the same person! The last one I could find 1950 (?) with him, he was listed as "B" (Black). I found out in the earlier censuses, often race was "decided" by the census taker, and wasn't really asked and might depend on the neighborhood where the census was taken.

As for KIW, good genes! Strong genes!