Welcome to my family history homepage!

In many African countries, and other ancient cultures, there was often a “griot” appointed in the community. This griot was responsible for remembering and reciting the entire history of that community, including all the names of each family line. Because of this, the griot held a position of high importance—he was the torchbearer that taught each person from whence they came.

So it is that I have come to consider myself the “griot” of our family. I believe it is an intense desire, a calling and a responsibility that God has given me. I don't take it lightly. I try my hardest to put flesh on the bones of our ancestor's lives, and somehow have a spiritual knowing that they approve. It goes much further than just documenting when someone was born, married and died: it is within the stories of our ancestors that I'm convinced we find out more about ourselves and our place in this world. The value of that kind of knowledge, the knowledge of who your people are and what they did has infinite value.

Obviously, with the tragic chapters of Slavery, Reconstruction and Jim Crow in America, race played a much larger role in the lives of our African-American ancestors. It often was the single most defining factor for their entire lives, proscribing everything from marriage to work to where they lived and how they interacted with the larger community. Although race in my life is certainly a factor, thankfully it does not define my entire existence. Many things are not pretty or easy to read about. However, I am a strong believer that truth is what is most important for me to represent: I need to tell the truth about their lives. The ancestors are not honored by an attempt to "cover up" and "make pretty". All of us, black, white, brown, yellow, etc. have wonderful stories in our families just waiting to be told.

I believe the ancestors are saying to us: Remember me. Tell my story. Don't forget. And that is why I do this. I hope you enjoy your sojourn through these pages-- they are a work in progress so check back often. Please email me and share your thoughts!

Date Last Updated: October 23, 2003