Community members interested in tracing their roots, preserving family stories, and learning the basics of genealogy are invited to join Genealogy: Me, My Family and I, an engaging monthly Genealogy 101 Meetup Series hosted by the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center. The next session will take place on Friday, June 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. and will focus on Freedmen’s Bureau Records, one of the most important historical resources for African American genealogy and post-Civil War family research. The session is free and open to the public.
RSVP at: Eventbrite Registration Page.
The ongoing educational series provides participants with practical tools and foundational knowledge to begin researching their family histories. Sessions cover topics such as constructing a family pedigree chart, understanding genealogy terminology, organizing research materials, and identifying vital records, including birth, marriage, church, and death certificates.
Leading the session is Tamara Bell, a certified HR professional with a master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University and a longtime genealogy researcher. Bell is an active member and former board member of the Genealogical Society of Broward County and a member of the National African American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS). She has completed formal genealogy training through the Genealogical Society of Broward County and applies research best practices to help individuals begin and organize their family history journeys.
“Genealogy is about far more than tracing names on a chart. It is about preserving legacy, reconnecting families, and ensuring our stories are not lost to history,” said Tamara Bell. “I have had the privilege of organizing virtual and in-person family reunions and of documenting family experiences in my book, Making Memories Together, published in Reunions Magazine. I am also excited to partner with the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center to help launch a local AAHGS chapter in Broward County, creating even more opportunities for community members to connect through history, heritage, and shared storytelling.”
The series was designed to help beginners confidently navigate the process of exploring their ancestry and to introduce attendees to local, national, and international genealogy resources.
Additional workshops in the series will explore:
Family heirlooms and memoir preservation
Military records and government archives
Medical genealogy
Ethnic family history resources
Research through the National Archives and the Library of Congress
Caribbean and United Kingdom genealogy resources
Local historical societies and genealogy organizations
Participants will also be introduced to research tools and resources available through Broward County Libraries, such as Ancestry.com Library Edition and genealogy databases.
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“Genealogy is more than names and dates. It is about preserving family stories, understanding cultural connections, and reclaiming histories that may have been lost, overlooked, or only partially documented,” said Aneatra King, Community Library Manager at the Senior Broward County Library, African-American Research Library & Cultural Center. “This series is designed to empower individuals to begin researching their family histories and to connect them with the many resources available locally and globally.”
The meetup series also connects attendees with organizations dedicated to preserving family and cultural histories, such as the National Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, the Genealogical Society of Broward County, History Fort Lauderdale, and the Florida State Library system.
Organizers also announced that the Genealogical Society of Broward County Fair will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2026, at the Old Davie School Historical Museum.
For additional genealogy resources, attendees are encouraged to visit:
Broward County Library History & Genealogy Resources
Florida Genealogy Resources
About the African American Research Library and Cultural Center
The African American Research Library and Cultural Center is a distinguished branch of the Broward County Library system, dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history and culture of people of African, African American, and Caribbean descent. The facility houses extensive archival collections, rare manuscripts, oral histories, photographs, and cultural programs that serve scholars, students, and the broader community.
About Broward County Libraries
Founded in 1974, Broward County Libraries Division operates 37 locations and ranks among Florida’s largest and busiest library systems. Twice named the Library of the Year by the Florida Library Association (2015 and 2020), the Division provides innovative, cost-effective services to meet the community’s evolving needs for information, education, and recreation.
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