A Family Tree Comes to Life
The Blackwell family has accomplished something extraordinary: they've traced their lineage back to 1789. But this is more than just a family tree; it's a work of art, a labor of love, and a testament to the power of perseverance. Standing at 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide, the Blackwell's Kinfolk Family Tree is a stunning visual representation of a family's history, with over 1,500 names spanning from 1789 to the 1970s.
A Journey to the Roots
The Blackwell's Kinfolk Family Tree is not just a collection of names and dates. It's a journey through time, starting with the family's first African ancestor in 1789. This ancestor, a woman named Ama, and her daughter, Tab, were brought to the United States on a slave ship, the Doddington, and landed in Yorktown, Virginia, in 1735. They were purchased by slave owner James Blackwell, and thus began the Blackwell family's story in America.
The family tree, created by family genealogist Thelma Short Doswell, is a testament to the power of research and perseverance. Doswell, a DC school teacher and genealogist, spent decades digging through files at the US National Archives, state and local courthouses, and antebellum census documents. She sent detailed questionnaires to relatives and pored over records, undoing the dehumanizing effects of slavery and reclaiming the identities of those who had been enslaved.
The result of Doswell's dedication is a family tree that not only traces the Blackwell family's history but also showcases their matrilineal heritage, with women's names as prominent as, if not more than, the men's. The tree is a work of folk art, with curving trunks, branches, and leaves, and it serves as a powerful symbol of the family's strength and resilience.
The Blackwell's Kinfolk Family Tree is more than just a genealogical record; it's a living, breathing testament to the family's endurance and a source of inspiration for future generations.
The Ever-Branching Legacy
The Blackwell family tree is more than just a historical record; it represents a journey of discovery and a celebration of resilience. The process of uncovering their lineage has brought the family closer together and deepened their understanding of their ancestors' struggles and triumphs.