Why Free People of Color Must Be Central to Genealogical Research (Podcast)

As we close out Black History Month, this powerful final episode makes a compelling case for why Free People of Color must be at the center, and not the margins, of genealogical research and American history.

Our guest, acclaimed professional genealogist Bernice Alexander Bennett, brings her expertise and passion to the conversation, revealing how the inclusion of Free People of Color in family history research doesn’t just fill in the gaps…it transforms the narrative entirely. These often-overlooked individuals played vital roles in shaping early America, and their stories hold the power to shift how we understand freedom, identity, and legacy.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

• Why Free People of Color are crucial to a complete American family history
• How their inclusion challenges long-held assumptions about race and identity
• Practical strategies for finding records and tracing these complex lineages
• The broader impact of reclaiming erased or ignored histories

Whether you’re a genealogist, a history enthusiast, or someone committed to telling the full truth of America’s past, this episode will inspire you to dig deeper, think differently, and honor the lives that history tried to forget.