Press Release
March 29, 2024
Contact: Kristina Wyckoff
State Historic Preservation Office, Oklahoma Historical Society
Office: 405-521-6381
kristina.wyckoff@history.ok.gov
www.okhistory.org/shpo
Learn How to Research African American Ancestors in State Historic Preservation Office Webinar
OKLAHOMA CITY — The State Historic Preservation Office will host a free webinar on Thursday, April 11, at noon to teach people how to research African American ancestors. Historian, attorney and genealogist Shelby R.B. Ward will be the featured speaker.
The state of Oklahoma and Indian Territories are home to various African-Diasporic people groups, from the Five Tribes Freedmen communities to All-Black towns and beyond. In this “Lunch and Learn,” attorney, genealogist and community historian Shelby Ward (Choctaw Freedman) will address key themes in the genealogy of African-descendent peoples and share research tips for people exploring Black communities in Oklahoma. Topics include studying migration patterns, reading self-reflective sources of knowledge and creating cultural artifacts for family storykeeping.
Registration for the webinar is required. For more information, contact Kristina Wyckoff, Section 106 coordinator and historic archaeologist, at 405-521-6381 or kristina.wyckoff@history.ok.gov.
The State Historic Preservation Office is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.
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