Celebrating Black History Month at the Genealogical Society

Press release from the New England Historic Geneological Society

On February 8, the , located at 99-101 Newbury Street, held a day-long African American History and Genealogy Open House. Participants were treated to speakers, tips on African American genealogical research, and access to the NEHGS research center and archives.

NEHGS genealogist David Allen Lambert spoke about researching pre-Civil War African American families while Alex R. Goldfeld, historian, discussed slavery and freedom in Boston’s black community. Goldfield highlighted his research on African Americans in the North End. Joseph Carvalho, author of “Black Families in Hampden County, Massachusetts, 1650 – 1865,” was also on hand to discuss aspects of the rich history of African Americans in and around Springfield, Mass.

While searching one of the Society’s many databases, Enoch Woodhouse, 85, a Mission Hill attorney and one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, discovered that one of his ancestors, also named Enoch Woodhouse, was a Civil War veteran. This was new information for Woodhouse. He encourages all of Black Boston to visit and join NEHGS. “The Society gives the community a unique opportunity to learn about its ancestors, and it’s right here in Boston! We need to let others know about this resource so that people can come to the Society and use what is offered.”