Library Holds Free Genealogy Conference

The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library is offering area residents the opportunity to learn about the latest genealogy tools and family research tips from experts at Identity Quest, a free conference and heritage celebration Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. People can register to attend the conference in person at the library or by Zoom. This event features national speaker Kenneth B. Morris, Jr., co-founder and president of the Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives (FDFI). The Initiative was born from a historical legacy of activism and education. Morris, a direct descendant of Douglass and Booker T. Washington, will give a captivating presentation about his family's heritage, the challenges he faced growing up under the weight of such distinguished ancestry, and his work building strong children through FDFI.

Activities during the conference will encourage everyone to engage in the quest for their identity. Experts will present on genealogical research, DNA, family trees and how to research your family history including the following presentations:

• A History of The American Indian Boarding Schools | presented by Eric Anderson, citizen of the Potawatomi Nation and professor of history at Haskell Indian Nations University
• Children of the Promised Land: Nicodemus, Kansas | presented by Angela Bates, executive director and past president of the Nicodemus Historical Society
• What's in Your DNA? | presented by Marty Flanagan member of the Topeka Genealogical Society
• One Family's Journey: From County Cavan, Ireland, to Nebraska | presented by John Manning, principal researcher of the Country School Genealogist LLC
• Beyond Brown: Mexican Struggles for Equality Before and After Brown v. Board | presented by Valerie Mendoza, historian and lecturer at Kansas City Kansas Community College

For those attending in-person, African Americans Renewing Interest in Spirituals Ensemble, Incorporated (ARISE) will perform at the conference. ARISE is made up of voices in Kansas who are dedicated to uplifting, sharing history and inspiring peace through song and storytelling. Their work aims to educate people of all cultures about the significance of spirituals, from the Underground Railroad to the Civil Rights Movement. Also at the event Morris will sell and sign the Douglass Family Edition of the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, which is a treasured piece of history. The edition includes a foreword by Morris and a powerful introduction by Bryan Stevenson of the Equal Justice Initiative. Adding Morris's signature to the book will make it a cherished heirloom for families to pass down through generations. Visit the Identity Quest webpage for more information.