Working out of order… June included a day trip to ACPL’s Genealogy Center with the Lansing Area African American Genealogical Society. It was a different perspective. I was attending more as a consultant to help the group if they needed than to focus on my own research, so I spent a bit more time keeping an eye out for my fellow researchers then I tend to. Even still it was my first experience of trying to do that trip and get anything done in what amounted to an afternoon. It will never be my first choice! But if you have to, plan ahead.
I gave the group homework when they decided to make this their summer trip—links to The Genealogy Center’s website and catalog, instructions to use PERSI, and the basics I pass on in any of my talks that include planning for roadtrips.
That last on has bitten me more times than I care to admit (example)… but I am infinitely better than I was.
I went in to the day with the idea that I would track down a number of articles on the Hampton’s and their Allied families that traveled together from North Carolina to Arkansas in the early 1800s. I am more and more convinced that the answer to some of my slave brick walls will be found in researching these slave-owning families. Nothing definite as yet but I have a lot of leads to rundown that might help me connect to a few DNA matches.
Happy hunting,
Jess
Genie Road Trip 
August 22, 2015 at 9:35 am
Jess
You are so refreshing and honest.
I read about what you found in your folders. I experienced the same thing yesterday. I sat down with my folders putting together a writers workshop that Iâll be teaching this fall semester at my churchâpart of their small groups. In it I found ideas that Iâd completely forgotten and/or overlooked. It was like a treasure-trove.
I also found something that Iâd written and had never done anything with. Iâll attach it for you to read. I wrote it a year ago, and reading it now was âcanât come up with the wordâamazing??? Feel free to give me any feedback re the essay/article. Donât really know what to do with it.
Thanks for your continual work
Phyllis
Phyllis Dolislager
http://www.byphyllis.com
Free E-book http://www.byphyllis.com/free-e-book/
August 22, 2015 at 7:51 pm
Thanks so much for reading and your comments! And yes, sometimes it’s very much like finding treasure… and sometimes I could kick myself.
August 22, 2015 at 10:01 am
Thanks Jess! Great post. Ive been working on the Hamptons for quite a while, and have not been very successful, (by my standards). But then again, I am limited in resources, and experience. Really hoping you are able to uncover more about the slave holding families that came from North Carolina to Arkansas. Keep up the great work. Kelly
August 22, 2015 at 7:59 pm
I have charts with owners, slaves, transactions… just not quite the info to connect. I keep coming back to the extended families of John R. Hampton and his two wives, Frances Webb and Nancy Cabeen. And I really need to get in a car and take a road trip but can’t see a time to do it yet. Thanks for the continued encouragement and comments!