Charlotte Genealogical Society Helps African Americans Uncover Family Histories

The group meets monthly to assist each other in tracing their ancestral roots.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society in Charlotte, North Carolina has been helping African Americans like John Sadler uncover their family histories, which can be challenging due to limited historical records. The group meets regularly to collaborate and share research techniques to trace their ancestors' origins, even as far back as the 1800s.

Why it matters

Discovering one's family history can be profoundly meaningful for African Americans, providing important context and connection to their ancestral roots. However, this process is often complicated by gaps in historical documentation, making the support and resources provided by the Charlotte genealogical society invaluable.

The details

John Sadler has spent decades researching his family history, filling eight books with his findings. He first started tracing his lineage back to the 1800s after being assigned the task for a family reunion. Sadler credits the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society with helping him uncover key details, such as discovering his great-great-grandfather's name in probate records at the York County Courthouse.

  • The Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society has been meeting monthly to assist members with their family history research.
  • The society's annual conference is scheduled for this weekend at Friendship Baptist Church.

The players

John Sadler

An individual who has spent decades researching his family history, filling eight books with his findings.

Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society

A Charlotte-based group that meets monthly to help African Americans trace their family histories, providing valuable resources and support.

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What they’re saying

“I found my great great grandfather in 1822”

— John Sadler

“And it was at one of these meetings that I discovered how I could go about finding out more information about my great-great-grandfather”

— John Sadler

What’s next

The Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society will host its annual conference this weekend at Friendship Baptist Church, providing an opportunity for more African Americans to connect with the group and access its resources for tracing their family histories.

The takeaway

The Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society in Charlotte plays a vital role in helping African Americans overcome the challenges of researching their ancestral roots, empowering them to uncover important connections to their family's past.