AAGG About Us

The African American Genealogy Group of Philadelphia is approaching its twentieth year as an organization. We will continue to carry on the mission to promote genealogical research in the African American Community.

Many African American were involved in family reunions and seeking lost relatives, the success of Alex Haley’s saga, “ROOTS,” started an avalanche of seekers. In Philadelphia, the newly organized Afro American Historical and Cultural Museum at 7th and Arch Streets, was flooded with requests for genealogical information. Dr. Rowena Stewart, director of the museum, at the time, asked archivist, Stan Arnold, to do what he could to assist seekers. He was besieged with calls for assistance in conducting genealogical far beyond the museum’s capacity to help.

In September 1988, Carolyn Williams suggested to Stan Arnold that a genealogical group was needed in Philadelphia. Later that fall, Stan called Carolyn to tell her that the museum director, Dr Stewart, asked him to work on organizing a genealogy group under the auspices of the museum. John Logan became the third member of the organization. Together, with Dr. Stewart, they founded the group that we know as AAGG.

On January 1, 1989, an invitational letter was sent to the 669 members on the museum’s master mailing list. This was followed up with a press release announcing a general meeting for January 24, 1989 to which forty individuals attended. At the meeting the following officers were elected for one year, Carolyn Williams as President, John Logan as Vice President, Evelyn Bundick as Secretary, and Stan Arnold as Treasurer. The next election of officers was for a two year term. Carolyn Williams, President, James McCoy, Vice President, Linda Davis, Secretary, and Floyd Riley, Treasurer. A newsletter was established with William Wormley, editor. Volume 1, Number 1 was issued in the fall of 1990 under the title, “African American Genealogy Group of the Afro-American Historical and Cultural Museum. Our logo, a tree within a thumbprint, was created by Brian Lancaster, a member of the Museum graphics staff.

About Us