Archive for March, 2009

Photo Reveals Our Ancestor’s Religious Devotion

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

During a book signing in Evansville in February I met a cousin Mildred Moore Robinson who gave me this wonderful photo that belonged to her mother.  The photograph was of an 1890s baptism in Cedar Hill, Tennessee.   The church was a central part of the African American community.   People would come from miles around to witness a baptism as shown in this photo.

1890s Baptism in Cedar Hill, TN

1890s Baptism in Cedar Hill, TN

Genealogy Tips #1

Sunday, March 22nd, 2009

1.  Start with yourself

    

     The first step in tracing genealogy is to start with yourself and work backwards. 

      Start with what you know such as the names of parents, grandparents etc. then search

      for the unknown.

 

2.  Interview older relatives

    

     Older family members can give you personal information about your ancestors      

      not found in official records.  They may also give you information that will lead you          

      you to other genealogical resources such as the names of extended family members,

      locations where family members lived during a certain period, birth, marriage, and

      death dates of family members.  Always record the interviews if possible.

 

3.  Copy old photographs

    

     Copy all old family photographs and share them with family members.  Be sure to

      record the names of all persons featured in photographs on the back.  We have all

      seen old photographs of family members that no one can identify.

 

4. Share information with family members.

   

     Always share what you find with family members.  If you share information others

      will likely share with you. 

 

5.  Organize your work

    

     Always organize your research and cite sources so the information you find is

      useful to others.

Ann Nixon Cooper, President Obama, and Washington Descendants

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

Personal connections between the descendants of the Washington family and Ann Nixon Cooper  have been renewed thanks to President Barack Obama’s speech on the night of his historic election. You may read the complete story:

http://thebocanuttelegraph.wordpress.com/2009/01/16/a-%E2%80%98pearl%E2%80%99-from-obama-personal-history/

Sirius XM Radio Interview with John F. Baker Jr.

Friday, March 13th, 2009

I invite you to listen to an indepth interview: On with Leon Presents John F. Baker Jr.  with host Dr. Leon Wilmer.

http://www.wilmerleon.com/shows/022109-JB.mp3

Radio Interview:The African American Literary Review

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

I invite you to listen to an indepth interview: The African American Literary Review Presents an Evening With John F. Baker Jr.  with host Tracey Ricks Foster. 

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/tracey-ricks-foster/2009/03/05/the-african-american-literary-review-presents-and-evening-with-john-f-baker

Wessyngton Descendants at Borders Book Signing

Tuesday, March 10th, 2009

On March 7th I had a book signing at Borders in Nashville.  The event was well attended by many family members and friends.   I met several new cousins there.  The event also brought together descendants of Wessyngton’s founder Joseph Washington, and African American descendants, whose ancestors came from the plantation.  A group photograph was taken of both families.

Wessyngton Descendants at Borders Book Signing

Wessyngton Descendants at Borders Book Signing

Atlanta Book Tour

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

The book tour in Atlanta went very well.  On the first day of  my trip I visited the home of Mrs. Ann Nixon Cooper and presented her with an autographed copy of The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation.  I was  very honored to have Mrs. Cooper sign a copy of the book for me.

Baker presents Mrs. Cooper with The Washingtons of Wessyngton

Baker presents Mrs. Cooper with The Washingtons of Wessyngton

The second day of my tour I was interviewed about the book by Dr. Collette Hopkins, director of the National Black Arts Festival, who graciously accompained me to the book signing at Waldenbooks.

Collette Hopkins Director of the NBAF with John Baker

Collette Hopkins Director of the NBAF with John Baker

 

Baker at Waldenbooks

Baker at Waldenbooks

 

On the third day of the tour Dr. Opal Moore interviewed me at the Auburn Research Library.  I later gave a presentation followed by a book signing. 

Baker interview with Opal Moore at National Black Arts Festival

Baker interview with Opal Moore at National Black Arts Festival

 

Baker presentation at NBAF

Baker presentation at NBAF

 

Baker at NBAF book signing

Baker at NBAF book signing

 The event was well attended and I met two new Washington cousins Jonathan and Jordan Terry who live in Atlanta.  They were excited to find their names on the Washington family tree among more than 600 names.

Baker meet new cousins at NBAF

Baker meet new cousins at NBAF

Jordan and Johnathan Terry display Washington Family Tree

Jordan and Jonathan Terry display Washington Family Tree

My good friends Beverly Shelley and her daughter Kimberly attended the event.  Their ancestors also came from Wessyngton.

Baker meets with Wessyngton descendants Beverly and Kim at NBAF

Baker meets with Wessyngton descendants Beverly and Kim at NBAF

A Letter from Former President Bill Clinton

Monday, March 2nd, 2009

My editor just told me that she received a letter from former President Bill Clinton. After thanking her for sending him the book, he wrote, “it was wonderful!” I will certainly place that letter in a place of honor in my home.

Letter from former President Bill Clinton

Letter from former President Bill Clinton