Do you have ancestors who were enslavers or who were enslaved? Many of us have some connection to slavery, whether we realize it or not. This presentation will explain how and why a descendant of enslavers decided to embark on a major research project to trace the people his ancestors enslaved and their ancestors and to connect with their living descendants. The other part of the presentation will include specific examples of research from that project entitled, “Enslaved at Oakley & Beyond.” The presentation has two main goals: to impart a better understanding of sources, research methods, and tools used when researching enslaved people and enslavers; and to encourage others to have conversations within their own families and perhaps embark on a research project of their own.

Joseph Roby currently is the Chapter Representative for the Greater Philadelphia Area Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists (GPAC-APG). He has also served as Program Coordinator for that same organization. He has filled many roles for the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania (GSP), including interim Program Committee Chairperson and membership on its Board of Directors. Joseph is also member of several other historical and genealogical organizations in the region, including the Main Line Genealogy Club. His current research focuses on Virginia and the people his ancestors enslaved. Joseph has a blog entitled, “Too Many Ancestors, Too Little Time” (https://toomanyancestors.com/). He lives in Philadelphia

The event image: Mary Eliza “Ida” Powell & Henry Grafton Dulany Family Bible Records, 1855-2023, The Holy Bible (New York: American Bible Society, 1854), “Oakley servants”; privately held by Joseph Roby, [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2022. Passed down through their son Henry Rozier Dulany, his son Henry Rozier Dulany, Jr., his son Benjamin Weems Dulany, then to his daughter [living], then to Joseph Roby. Most of the family records in the bible are in different handwriting and inks, however the two pages with the “servants” names are in the same handwriting and ink. Because of the last dates, handwriting, and known facts, I believe Ida Powell Dulany wrote those two pages of names c. 1860.