An 1829 Slave Bill of Sale & A Question with Janice Cross-Gilyard

Research at the National Archives and Beyond

How an 1829 Slave Bill of Sale & A Question Connects Janice Cross-Gilyard to her 5th Great-Grandmother, Willoughby McWhite. Janice Cross-Gilyard will share how a segment from the PBS Show – The History Detectives has impacted her genealogy research. Jeanie Hans (From Wichita, Kansas) found a box of her grandfather’s possessions. Among some books and old gun manuals, she found a disturbing document: an 1829 ‘Bill of Sale’ for the purchase of a 17-year old “negro girl” named Willoby. Jeanie wants to know more about this young girl. Jeanie asks host Eduardo Pagan to find out what happened to Willoby. (Source: PBS Program – The History Detectives) https://www.pbs.org/video/history-detectives-bill-sale/ Janice Cross-Gilyard is a Charter Member of The Harriet Tubman Chapter of Sons & Daughters of the United States Middle Passage. She also joined the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society – New Jersey Chapter in March of 2016 and currently serves as President, Editor of the Family Times Newsletter as well as managing and providing content for their Facebook page. Janice has conducted her family research for the past 25 years and has documented her family history back to 1790. She is proud of her ancestors, which include educators (two founded colleges), midwives, farmers, and pastors. She is passionate about history and genealogy and believes that her ancestors chose her to tell their stories. She is always willing to assist anyone who may be interested in researching their family history.