by Windy Goodloe, secretary, Seminole Indian Scouts Cemetery Association (SISCA)
On Wednesday, January 22, renowned genealogist Angela Walton-Raji was SISCA’s monthly Zoom presenter for January. Mrs. Walton-Raji captivated the attendees with her stories about making genealogical connections. She also gave beginner genealogists important tips to get started. The presentation soon became a conversation when Mrs. Walton-Raji asked if there were any questions.
First and foremost, Mrs. Walton-Raji instructed anyone who was interested in starting their own genealogical journey to start by talking. She encouraged everyone to talk to our elders, to write down their stories and to record them if we were able to. (We all have smart phones that we keep close to us on a daily basis, so put them to work!) Also, talking to our elders is a great way to get closer to them. In learning more about their lives, we might discover that their experiences aren’t that different from ours.
Another piece of advice that she gave was to visit the National Archives. This experience will allow you to physically see the documents that might reveal important information about your family.
When we opened the presentation to questions and discussion, Mrs. Walton-Raji and Mr. Bennie McRae, renowned African American military historian, discussed how they had met and their mutual appreciation for each other. Mrs. Walton-Raji discussed her visit to Brackettville, Texas, in the nineties and her desire to return.
She encouraged everyone on the Zoom call to become more intentional with their research. Sometimes, just starting will lead to a wealth of discoveries. And your findings could help your future family members in their own search. Any information that is found will be helpful.
Mrs. Walton-Raji was born and raised in Arkansas. She received her bachelor’s degree from St. Louis University and her master’s degree from Antioch University. Mrs. Walton-Raji began researching her family’s history in 1975. She located her family records in the Choctaw Nation in 1991. This discovery confirmed the oral history that her great-grandparents were enslaved Africans who were owned by Choctaw Indians.
Mrs. Walton-Raji is the author of the following books: Black Indian Genealogy Research: African-American Ancestors Among the Five Civilized Tribes, Freedmen of the Frontier Volume 1: Selected Cherokee, Choctaw, & Chickasaw Freedmen Families, Freedmen of the Frontier Volume 2: Selected Creek and Seminole Freedman Families, and Oklahoma Freemen of the Five Tribes.
She runs several blogs entitled The African-Native American Genealogy Blog, Choctaw Freedmen Legacy, and Arkansas Freedmen. And she has a podcast titled The Freedmen Files.
She is the founding member of the Midwest African-American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI). She resides in Maryland.
