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Melvin J. Collier

African Diaspora Bonus webinars DNA Testing Historical Records Military Records Civil War Methodology and Skills Freedom Series, Friends, Associates, Neighbors (FANs) Places and Ethnicities African American

A native of Canton, Mississippi, Melvin J. Collier is the author of:

His books have been used by genealogical and historical scholars as great reference sources for genealogical methodologies.

Melvin is a former civil engineer in corporate America for nearly 10 years. His passion for African-American history and historical preservation led to a major and fulfilling career change in the Archivist profession. He is a former archivist at the Archives Research Center of the Robert W. Woodruff Library – Atlanta University Center, where he has worked on the Morehouse College Dr. Martin Luther King Papers, the Maynard Jackson Administrative Papers and Photographs, the Dr. Asa Hilliard III Papers, and other collections, 2006-2013. Currently employed by the federal government, Melvin has been conducting historical and genealogical research for over 20 years, starting at the age of 19. He has given numerous workshops and presentations on historical and genealogical subjects. He appeared on the NBC show, Who Do You Think You Are, as one of the expert genealogists on the Spike Lee episode (2010). Melvin maintains a genealogy blog, Roots Revealed, at www.rootsrevealed.com. He earned a Master of Arts degree in African-American Studies, Clark Atlanta University, in 2008, with additional graduate coursework in Archival Studies from Clayton State University, 2010-2012. He was the recipient of the 2012 Marsha M. Greenlee History Award by the National Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS).

Melvin's Webinars (5)

48:40
Places and EthnicitiesAfrican DiasporaMethodology and Skills
The FAN Club Methodology, DNA, and Genealogy Lead Back to Lunatic’s Plantation
Melvin J. Collier
1.2K views
CC
The FAN Club Methodology, DNA, and Genealogy Lead Back to Lunatic’s Plantation
Utilizing the FAN Club method, DNA, and enslaved ancestral research, Collier finally found major clues to help solve a longtime mystery – who was the previous enslaver of his great-great grandmother, Polly Partee of Panola County, Mississippi, and where did she come from? Her last enslaver was Squire Boone Partee of Panola County, and Polly had been the head cook on his plantation during and after slavery, according to oral history. According to the censuses, she was born somewhere in North Carolina and sold to Squire by 1852, but her origins had been largely unknown. Collier will present a plethora of DNA evidence, in conjunction with genealogy research and the FAN Club methodology, to uncover Polly’s North Carolina origins. Collier will also argue how a court-investigated lunatic, Alfred Alston of Fayette County, Tennessee, was most likely her previous enslaver.
Places and EthnicitiesAfrican DiasporaMethodology and Skills
The FAN Club Methodology, DNA, and Genealogy Lead Back to Lunatic’s Plantation
CC
Melvin J. Collier
1.2K views
Utilizing the FAN Club method, DNA, and enslaved ancestral research, Collier finally found major clues to help solve a longtime mystery – who was the previous enslaver of his great-great grandmother, Polly Partee of Panola County, Mississippi, and where did she come from? Her last enslaver was Squire Boone Partee of Panola County, and Polly had been the head cook on his plantation during and after slavery, according to oral history. According to the censuses, she was born somewhere in North Carolina and sold to Squire by 1852, but her origins had been largely unknown. Collier will present a plethora of DNA evidence, in conjunction with genealogy research and the FAN Club methodology, to uncover Polly’s North Carolina origins. Collier will also argue how a court-investigated lunatic, Alfred Alston of Fayette County, Tennessee, was most likely her previous enslaver.
Fri, April 14 2023: 1:00 UTC
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1:31:20
Places and EthnicitiesAfrican DiasporaDNA Testing
How Three Types of DNA and Genealogy Uncovered the Long-Lost Enslaved Father
Melvin J. Collier
1.5K views
CC
How Three Types of DNA and Genealogy Uncovered the Long-Lost Enslaved Father
For over 25 years, oral history led Melvin Collier down the wrong road in the search for the father of his great-grandfather, Albert Kennedy (1857-1928) of Leake County, Mississippi. DNA was indeed providing great clues, but he initially attached them to the wrong ancestor. However, more autosomal DNA analysis, Y-DNA evidence, X-chromosome matching, and genealogy research revealed that the oral history had not been entirely true. This put Collier on the right road to discovery. Travel down this exciting genealogical road as Collier shows how DNA and genealogy led him to the identity and the story of his 2X-great grandfather. Ironically, he was born in northern Virginia, where Collier resides now, and was eventually taken to Sugartown, Louisiana during the Civil War. Lots of genealogy and genetic genealogy tips to be gained from this case.
Places and EthnicitiesAfrican DiasporaDNA Testing
How Three Types of DNA and Genealogy Uncovered the Long-Lost Enslaved Father
CC
Melvin J. Collier
1.5K views
For over 25 years, oral history led Melvin Collier down the wrong road in the search for the father of his great-grandfather, Albert Kennedy (1857-1928) of Leake County, Mississippi. DNA was indeed providing great clues, but he initially attached them to the wrong ancestor. However, more autosomal DNA analysis, Y-DNA evidence, X-chromosome matching, and genealogy research revealed that the oral history had not been entirely true. This put Collier on the right road to discovery. Travel down this exciting genealogical road as Collier shows how DNA and genealogy led him to the identity and the story of his 2X-great grandfather. Ironically, he was born in northern Virginia, where Collier resides now, and was eventually taken to Sugartown, Louisiana during the Civil War. Lots of genealogy and genetic genealogy tips to be gained from this case.
Fri, January 6 2023: 19:00 UTC
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1:22:57
Places and EthnicitiesDNA Testing
The Second Middle Passage: Following the DNA Trails
Melvin J. Collier
3.4K views
CC
The Second Middle Passage: Following the DNA Trails
With slave ancestral research, one is often faced with direct evidence vs. indirect evidence. Many forms of direct evidence that emphatically prove family relationships, birthplaces, and other happenings are often non-existent because enslaved people were merely considered “property.” Some researchers have been very fortunate to find rare pieces of direct…
Places and EthnicitiesDNA Testing
The Second Middle Passage: Following the DNA Trails
CC
Melvin J. Collier
3.4K views
With slave ancestral research, one is often faced with direct evidence vs. indirect evidence. Many forms of direct evidence that emphatically prove family relationships, birthplaces, and other happenings are often non-existent because enslaved people were merely considered “property.” Some researchers have been very fortunate to find rare pieces of direct…
Fri, June 26 2020: 0:00 UTC
Register for free
1:30:33
Places and EthnicitiesBonus webinarsDNA Testing
Confirming Enslaved Ancestors Utilizing DNA
Melvin J. Collier
7.7K views
Confirming Enslaved Ancestors Utilizing DNA
With slave ancestral research, one is often faced with direct evidence vs. indirect evidence. Many forms of direct evidence that emphatically prove family relationships, birthplaces, and other happenings are often non-existent because slaves were merely considered "property". Some researchers have been very fortunate to find rare pieces of direct evidence…
Places and EthnicitiesBonus webinarsDNA Testing
Confirming Enslaved Ancestors Utilizing DNA
Melvin J. Collier
7.7K views
With slave ancestral research, one is often faced with direct evidence vs. indirect evidence. Many forms of direct evidence that emphatically prove family relationships, birthplaces, and other happenings are often non-existent because slaves were merely considered "property". Some researchers have been very fortunate to find rare pieces of direct evidence…
Fri, April 8 2016: 0:00 UTC
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1:34:18
Places and EthnicitiesHistorical RecordsMethodology and Skills
Mending Broken Ties: Reconstructing Family Trees Sawed by Slavery
Melvin J. Collier
3.0K views
Mending Broken Ties: Reconstructing Family Trees Sawed by Slavery
All slaves had family members who were sold away or transferred to the slave-owners' heirs, never to be seen again. Many even took different surnames. It was not uncommon for two displaced brothers to retain different surnames after Emancipation. Collier will present cases of how displaced family members were found.
Places and EthnicitiesHistorical RecordsMethodology and Skills
Mending Broken Ties: Reconstructing Family Trees Sawed by Slavery
Melvin J. Collier
3.0K views
All slaves had family members who were sold away or transferred to the slave-owners' heirs, never to be seen again. Many even took different surnames. It was not uncommon for two displaced brothers to retain different surnames after Emancipation. Collier will present cases of how displaced family members were found.
Fri, July 31 2015: 0:00 UTC
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Book – Ealy Family Heritage: Documenting Our Legacy
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Book – 150 Years Later: Broken Ties Mended by Melvin J. Collier
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Book – Mississippi to Africa: A Journey of Discovery
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