Descendants in Dialogue: Connecting Families of the Enslaved and Enslavers

Sharon Batiste Gillins
Free

The history of slavery in America left families divided but also deeply connected through records, land, and often bloodlines. Today, descendants of both the enslaved and the enslavers are uncovering those connections through genealogy and asking what they mean for the present. This panel brings together genealogists and descendants to share how these discoveries were made, what it looks like to begin a conversation across that divide, and how stories can be told with honesty, respect, and care. Attendees will learn how to: 1-Identify the record groups that connect enslaved and enslaver families, 2-Understand the challenges and opportunities of descendant dialogue, 3-Approach this history with sensitivity while documenting it accurately.

Fri, June 19 2026: 18:00 UTC

About the speakers

About the speakers

Sharon Batiste Gillins is a native of Galveston, Texas with paternal ancestral roots in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana and maternal roots in Fort Bend County, Texas. She is a passionate family history researcher who has been actively involved in genea
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Cheri Hudson Passey is a Professional Genealogist, Instructor, Writer, and Speaker and the owner of Carolina Girl Genealogy, LLC. Cheri is the host of the genealog
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