What You Will Learn
This session introduces FamilySearch tools, features, and resources tailored to African American genealogy. Attendees will learn a practical 10-step approach to reclaiming their African roots, starting with personal artifacts and oral history, and progressing to building a family tree and exploring historical records. The presentation highlights new FamilySearch capabilities such as filtering by race, linking enslaved persons to enslavers, and accessing Freedmen’s Bureau records. Participants will be empowered to begin or deepen their family history journey with free tools, live support, and culturally relevant insights that honor ancestral legacy and foster community belonging.
Speaker
Thom Reed is a program manager serving as a regional manager for the North America Southeast area of the United States for FamilySearch International. In addition, he serves as the African American experience manager for North America.
Reed is a member of the National Genealogical Society, Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, and Afro-American Genealogical and Historical Society of Chicago. He is a member of the Genealogists’ Council for 10 Million Names, a collaborative project sponsored by American Ancestors dedicated to recovering the names of the estimated 10 million men, women, and children of African descent who were enslaved in pre- and post-colonial America (specifically, the territory that would become the United States) between the 1500s and 1865.
Reed received his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Business with a minor in Japanese studies from Illinois State University and received his Master of Business Administration degree in Marketing from Brigham Young University. Prior to working for FamilySearch, Reed spent more than 10 years as a marketing, communications, and business development professional in the consumer-packaged goods, healthcare, and technology industries. He and his wife, Lisa, are the parents of 5 children and reside in South Jordan, Utah.
Registration Form
Members
Uncover Your Black Roots Using Resources and Features on FamilySearch.org
Not a Member?
If you are not a member, you can choose to join the Society and attend this webinar for free. You will also have free access to all webinars in the next year as well as access to all of our past webinars in the Learning Library.