First Black genealogical conference in Pgh.

AAHGS-conf-2014-5 — TRACING THEIR HISTORY—Some of the keynote speakers and organizers of the conference. (Photos by Gail Manker)

The Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society hosted its 35th National Conference in Pittsburgh, Oct. 9-12. Interested individuals were encouraged to register for a fascinating event about African-American and their roots.
This was the first conference of its kind to be held in Pittsburgh. Leading genealogists from around the country were present for more than 30 sessions on local history, and genealogy and culture, with more than 250 persons in attendance.
This year’s theme was “Weaving Our Past, Present and Future: Slavery, Freedom, Abolition and All That Jazz.” There were pre-conference tours on Oct. 8 and Oct. 9, followed by a banquet on Oct. 11 banquet with guest speaker Clayton Adams of the Solomon Northup Foundation. He is a descendant of “12 Years a Slave’s,” Solomon Northup.