15th Annual Family History Seminar

Saturday, March 14, 2020
8am - 4pm

Keynote Speaker: Nicka Smith

Remember • Honor • Celebrate

Keynote Speaker: Nicka Sewell-Smith

Nicka Sewell-Smith is a professional photographer, speaker, host, and documentarian with more than 20 years of experience as a genealogist. She has extensive experience in African ancestor genealogy, reverse genealogy, and family reunion planning and execution. She is also an expert in genealogical research in the Northeastern Louisiana area, sharing genealogy with youth, documenting the ancestral journey, and employing the use of new technology in genealogy and family history research.

Nicka has diverse and varied experience in communications, with a background in publications, editing, graphic design, radio, and video production. She has edited and designed several volumes of family history that include narratives, photos, and genealogical information and has also transferred these things to an online environment. She is the host of BlackProGen LIVE, an innovative web show focused on people of color genealogy and family history.

She is a past board member of the California Genealogical Society (CGS) and the African American Genealogical Society of Northern California (AAGSNC), member of AAHGS Memphis/Mid South and the Southern California Genealogical Society, and former chair of the Outreach and Education Committee for AAGSNC, and former project manager for the Alameda County, CA Youth Ancestral Project where more than 325 youth were taught the value of family history. Nicka is also the family historian and lead researcher for the Atlas family of Lake Providence, East Carroll, Louisiana.

Featuring Class Topics such as:

  • Researching African American History in California Archives
  • African American Achievements & the Railroad
  • Using FamilySearch Catalog for African American Research
  • An Urgent Appeal to the African American Researcher
  • Writing & Publishing a Book of Family Stories
  • How to Store and Preserve Family Records and Heirlooms
  • African American Death and Burial Traditions
  • African American Military Records
  • African American Research Strategies
  • Youth/Young Adult Genealogy
  • DNA Research
  • Five Civilized Tribes
  • Oklahoma Cherokee Nation
  • US Federal Census Records
  • Beginning Genealogy
  • Buffalo Soldiers
  • Tuskegee Airmen

Classes taught by a Distinguished Faculty

Sam Starks • Glenda Loyd • Susan Andersone • Ginger Browne • George Palmer • Jordan Griggs • Barbara Leak • Kanika Marshall • Michael Willis • Rev. Roger Gray • Larnell Roberts Brent • Taffy Couts • Mark Harrison • William Pettis • Craig Manson • Kathryn Marshall

Karen Massie

"I think African-American genealogists are the most resourceful, inventive, persistent, and undaunted researchers at work todar, uncovering truths that the rest of the country has done everything in its power to suppress."

Andrew Ward, author of The Slaves' War

The Sacramento Family Search Library is located at:

2745 Eastern Ave, Sacramento, CA 95821

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