Ologies with Alie Ward Genealogy (FAMILY TREES) Encore with Stephen Hanks
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Feb 4, 2026 Stephen Hanks, genealogist and author who uncovers early African American family histories. He talks about starting research with obituaries and census records. He explores tracing enslaved ancestors, using DNA to confirm lines, detective-style sleuthing in archives, surprising cross-racial family links, and the emotional work of confronting and healing from the past.
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Meeting Descendants At The Old Plantation
- Stephen drove to Duck Hill, Mississippi, met descendants of the family his ancestors worked for, and visited plantation sites and cemeteries.
- That 1994 meeting unlocked more generations and records, letting him trace ancestors back to the 1730s.
Probate Records Reveal Names
- Estate inventories and probate records can list enslaved people by name and provide crucial links across centuries.
- Stephen found African names in a 1735 estate inventory that allowed him to identify specific ancestors.
Research Can Enable Healing
- Genealogy uncovers painful historical truths but also can be a step toward collective acknowledgement and healing.
- Stephen compares national reckoning with restorative steps like truth commissions to foster understanding.
