Ayo Heinegg Magwood

Ayo Heinegg Magwood is a Senior Genealogist with Black Ancestries and has worked closely with her father, Paul Heinegg, for several years. She co-authors many of his client reports on both enslaved and free African American families. Together, they co-wrote the forthcoming journal article “Tracing an African American Family Lineage from the 17th to the 20th Century: The Kee Family of Northampton County, NC” for The Genealogist. They also co-authored two blog posts for the FamilyTreeDNA (FTDNA) blog: “Researching the Ancestry of Formerly Enslaved African American Families, Part 1: Up to the 1870 Brick Wall” and Part 2: Beyond the 1870 Brick Wall.

Ayo's Upcoming Live Webinars (1)

Fri, February 13 2026: 19:00 UTC
Breaking the 1870 Brick Wall: Comprehensive Strategies for Tracing Formerly Enslaved African American Ancestors
Fri, February 13 2026: 19:00 UTC
Overcoming the 1870 brick wall in African American genealogy is challenging, but possible. This session presents a clear, step-by-step roadmap for tracing formerly enslaved ancestors using the Genealogical Proof Method. Learn how to reconstruct the freedmen generation, identify potential enslavers, and mine enslaver records for hidden ancestral clues. We’ll explore records on Ancestry and FamilySearch, including census and vital records, Freedmen’s Bureau files, cohabitation records, and estate records. If you're ready to move beyond 1870 and build a fuller picture of your family’s past, this webinar will equip you with the tools and confidence to begin.
Overcoming the 1870 brick wall in African American genealogy is challenging, but possible. This session presents a clear, step-by-step roadmap for tracing formerly enslaved ancestors using the Genealogical Proof Method. Learn how to reconstruct the freedmen generation, identify potential enslavers, and mine enslaver records for hidden ancestral clues. We’ll explore records on Ancestry and FamilySearch, including census and vital records, Freedmen’s Bureau files, cohabitation records, and estate records. If you're ready to move beyond 1870 and build a fuller picture of your family’s past, this webinar will equip you with the tools and confidence to begin.
Fri, February 13 2026: 19:00 UTC