“Unearthing Hidden Stories: Slave Era Genealogical Research” presentation at MPAAGHS Monthly Meeting

March 8, 2025

Middle Peninsula African-American Genealogical and Historical Society (MPAAGHS) will hold its monthly meeting virtually on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 11:00 AM. The meeting will feature a talk by Dr. Shelley Murphy entitled “Unearthing Hidden Stories: Slave Era Genealogical Research.”

Dr. Murphy’s engaging and insightful presentation will explore the complexities of tracing African American ancestry through the era of slavery. Whether you are a genealogist, historian, or someone eager to uncover the stories of your ancestors, this session will provide essential tools and strategies to navigate historical records and break through genealogical barriers.

Shelley Viola Murphy, aka “familytreegirl,” is a native of Michigan residing in Virginia, who is researching her African American and European lines. She is one of four Coordinators and an Instructor at Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI) and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution - Jack Jouett Chapter. Dr. Murphy also holds memberships in the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, the National Genealogical Society, and the Association of Professional Genealogists, among others. She sits on the Boards of the Library of Virginia and the Albemarle and Fluvanna Historical Societies. She presents at local and national conferences, presenting problem-solving methodology lectures using her “So What” principles. Her blog is FamilyTreeGirl.com and her tagline is “Know your roots, they are long and strong.”

If you are not on our email list and would like to receive an invitation for this virtual meeting or to get further information about MPAAGHS, call 804.758.5163.