About Us

The Middle Peninsula African-American Genealogical and Historical Society of Virginia (MPAAGHS) was formed in September 2004.

The organization provides or has done the following:

• The opportunity to interact with people who are passionate about genealogy
• Speakers on topics that are of interest to the genealogist/family historian, e.g. preservation of photographs and documents, collecting oral history, creating family quilts, genealogy software, African-American/Native American research
• The opportunity to exchange practical tips and to share successes and roadblocks in researching family ancestry
• The opportunity to meet relatives/extended family members and to exchange family history files/documents, etc.
• Field trips to sites of local and state interest
• A surnames list
• A collaboration with Family Search to produce a free searchable online database of funeral programs at FamilySearch.org.

All people who have an interest in African-American genealogy and history are invited to join MPAAGHS. Dues are $20 per calendar year. Complete the form on the brochure and mail payment to the stated address.

If you would like to receive notice of future meetings and other MPAAGHS events, please submit your email address to us via our contact information form. For further information about MPAAGHS, contact Bessida White at cauthornewhite@gmail.com or at 804.758.5163.