African American Genealogy

American tapestry : the story of the Black, white, and multiracial ancestors of Michelle Obama American tapestry : the story of the Black, white, and multiracial ancestors of Michelle Obama / Rachel L. Swarns

 A family history traces the compelling story of Michelle Obama's ancestors, covering a journey from slavery to the White House in five generations that bears witness to the changes in the nation.

Diary of a contraband : the Civil War passage of a Black sailor Diary of a contraband : the Civil War passage of a Black sailor / edited by] William B. Gould IV

The heart of this book is the remarkable Civil War diary of the author's great-grandfather, William Benjamin Gould, an escaped slave who served in the United States Navy from 1862 until the end of the war. Gould somehow came to possess impressive literary skills, and his diary vividly records not only his adventures in the Navy but also his reflections on race relations.

In search of our roots : how 19 extraordinary African Americans reclaimed their past In search of our roots : how 19 extraordinary African Americans reclaimed their past / Henry Louis Gates, Jr

The distinguished scholar examines the origins and history of African-American ancestry as he profiles nineteen noted African Americans--Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, Quincy Jones, Sidney Poitier, and others--and illuminates their individual family sagas throughout U.S. history, the tragedy of slavery, and their African roots.