Courtesy photo
Roberta Brown Hawkins, Connie Colbert Maynard and Lyndra Pratt Marshall stand outside of the Maryland Archives after a day of genealogical research. The three women are descendants of Alexander Pratt, who was born in south county around 1840. They have worked together to trace their family tree, connecting over 1,000 people. The “Reuniting Family and Friends” event in Davidsonville on Saturday will be a celebration of their findings.
Lyndra Pratt Marshall, a local genealogy enthusiast who has a passion for African-American genealogy, is hosting a "Reuniting Family and Friends" gathering Saturday at the Davidsonville Ruritan Center.
The day kicks off with genealogy workshops from 9 a.m. until noon, followed by the celebration. There will be food, storytelling, a roll call of surnames, family tree drawings and children's events. Then, from 8 p.m. until midnight, revelers 18 years and older will enjoy a dance and cabaret.
Marshall originally conducted her research as a hobby, but a little over a year ago, while working as a project manager for a government contractor, she learned the agency was being shut down, bringing her 20-year career to an abrupt end.
But Marshall was lucky to be selected to participate in a self-employment assistance program in Baltimore, where she was tasked with coming up with a business plan and providing the necessary documents to start her own company. In June, Marshall completed the program and launched Genealogy Research Business, which helps people find their country of origin through the use of DNA.
DNA testing will also be available at the event, along with a variety of other vendors including makeup, clothing and jewelry sellers, among others.
The DNA testing does not require a blood draw. It is a swab of the inside of the cheek. The sample is sent off to a lab where the maternal lineage, for females, or paternal lineage, for males, is traced to a specific ethnicity. Those results can be matched with present-day African countries, in essence allowing someone to pinpoint where in Africa their ancestors came from.
Gina Paige, president of African Ancestry, Inc., will conduct a workshop on the details of DNA ancestry testing during the morning session. The cost for the workshop is $20. The testing requires an additional fee, but will be available on-site.
In addition, attendees can attend a workshop by Nathania Branch Miles, a member of the Prince George's Chapter of the Afro American Historical and Genealogical Soyciety and an instructor at Prince George's Community College. Miles often conducts classes on research and family reunion planning. This workshop is also available for $20.
Marshall said that while building her own family tree she learned that many families within south county share common ancestors. For years she digitized old photographs and collected memorable items. During her research, Marshall connected with family living nearby - especially poignant because her mother died when she was just 15 years old.
Many of these relatives will be coming to the event. Some of the over 70 names include notable south county families, like: Pratt, Watkins, Duvall, Owens, Sharps, Easton, Booze, Thompson, Tilghmans, Hicks, Pinkneys and more.
Marshall has also brought in historians, archeologists and curators to help those who want help conducting detective work on family memorabilia. In addition, they'll conduct interviews and collect family stories for the South County Family History Project, already boasting 1,000 names.
There will be a fee of $5 to enter the event, and a fee for each of the workshops of $20. In addition, food will be available for purchase including chicken and fish dinners, chicken baskets, hot dogs and plenty of homemade desserts. The dance will cost $15 at the door.
Marshall said that participants should feel free to bring a picnic basket and a blanket for an afternoon of reconnecting with family and friends, noting that no grilling will be permitted on the premises. The Davidsonville Ruritan Center is located at 3358 Davidsonville Road.
For more information about the event, e-mail Lyndra Pratt Marshall at lyndra@geneallofus.com.
Mitchelle Stephenson is a freelance writer living in Edgewater.
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