The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands was established by the War Department on March 3, 1865. Its primary function was to supervise all relief and educational activities relating to refugees and freedmen. Come learn more about it.

I had an awesome experience this past week. I am helping a friend of mine discover her family roots. Not only did I discover her roots but reunited her with a long lost cousin.

There are those times when it is a great idea to get the rest of the family involved in Family Research. Explain to them what genealogy is, why you do it. It may take the mystery out of it. It may make them more understanding of what you do. Here are some ideas of things to do with your family:

Recently I went on a retreat with some fellow Southwest students and faculty. Some of us were not “freshly out of High School” as some of the students. We are older and wiser in some areas; but, during our conversation we confessed our lack of knowledge in the texting and IM abbreviations.

Kindred is a look into the past. Dana, a young African American woman, finds herself, with her white husband,in the mid 1800's slave era sent to save her ancestor from death - so she would be born. This novel very vividly puts us into the slavery era and shows how strong black families survived.

Roots Television is a great site that is excellent for genealogist in their learning endeavor. check out "Are you Smarter Than a Gradeschool Genealogist?"

School is starting up again in just a few weeks. The stores are having their “Back to School” specials, and students are not the only ones taking advantage of these savings.

Time is something a genealogist holds dear; there never seems to be enough hours in a day. Here are some tips to try and find more time to devote to family research.

Message Boards and how they can assist in research

Description of Cherokee Payment Rolls & Census - Eastern Cherokee Census Rolls