Be Sure to Visit my new 1900 Galveston Storm Website at: http://freepages.genealogy.rootseb.com/~barnette 

THOMAS JEFFERSON LIKELY FATHER OF SLAVES

 According to the epitaph that he wrote for his tombstone, Thomas Jefferson wanted to be remembered as the "author of the Declaration of Independence (and) of the Statute of Virginia for religious freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia." Descendants of  Sally Hemings, Jefferson's slave, wished to be remembered as Jefferson's progeny.

  Last month the foundation that owns Monticello, Jefferson's home, acknowledged what DNA tests have suggested, that Jefferson fathered one, if not all six, of Sally Henning's children. The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation is made up of descendants of Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) and his wife Martha (Wayles) Skelton (1748-1782) whom he married in 1772.

 From his union with Martha Wayles, Jefferson fathered six children, two of whom survived and had offspring, Martha (1772-1836) and Maria (1778-1804). Martha married Thomas Mann Randolph in 1790 and Maria married John Wayles Eppes in 1797. On her deathbed, his wife asked Jefferson to never marry after her death.

 Rumors of an affair between Jefferson and Sally Hemings began in 1802, a year after Jefferson was elected President. No record exists of his admitting or denying the relationship.

 Sally Hemings was the mulatto daughter of a slave and John Wayles, Martha Wayles' father. Sally Hemings and Martha Wayles were, therefore, half sisters.

WEBSITE FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS

 Those interested in African-American history, culture and genealogy should direct their browsers to http://www.everythingblack.com. This website is a vast collection of links to websites concerning people of African descent anywhere in the world. There are numerous links to African and African-American genealogical organizations, historical sites, cultural and family history sites.

AFRICAN-AMERICAN GENEALOGICAL SOCIETIES

 The African-American Historical and Genealogical Society, P.O.Box 73086, Washington, DC 20056-3086 has a website at http://www.rootsweb.com/~mdaahgs/. This society was formed in Washington, DC in 1977 and is the largest national group of African-Americans interested in the genealogy and history of the African-American people.

 The AAHGS has many local chapters across the United States, including Houston. The AAHGS-Houston Chapter may be reached at P.O.Box 750877 Houston, TX 77275-0877. Eleanor Caldwell, president of the Houston Chapter,  may be reached by email at ecaldwell3@juno.com.

  GENEALOGICAL SEMINAR

 The Texas Research Ramblers of Bryan will host their annual Spring Seminar from 8 am to 4 pm on Saturday February 26. The seminar will be held at the Sam Rayburn Middle School located on the feeder road just north of the Boonville Exit of  Highway 6 North in Bryan.

 Brenda Kellow, the featured speaker, is a Certified Genealogist and writes a genealogical column, "Tracing Our Roots" in the Plano Star Courier newspaper and the Fort Worth Star Telegram Virtual Texan Internet Web. Kellow's topics will include Immigration into Texas, Getting Organized and Finding Clues Using discards and Collectibles.

    Registration is $30 prior to February 18 and $35 afterwards. Checks made out to Research Ramblers should be mailed to Sue Foy, 804 Vine, Bryan, TX 77802. For more information, contact Kim Feldman at 409-693-5516.

FROM THE BOOK SHELF

 While no one has successfully traced Thomas Jefferson's Jefferson ancestry past his great grandfather, Thomas Jefferson who married Mary Branch, several of his non-Jefferson surnamed ancestors have been successfully traced. A descendant of Jefferson, Dabney N. McLean, has published a book enumerating those ancestors in THE ENGLISH ANCESTRY OF THOMAS JEFFERSON.

 The eighty-four page book describes the English and Virginia ancestors of Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson's Great-Great Grandparents were Henry Soane (1622-1661/2) and wife Judith Fuller (d. post 1695).  Henry Soane was a Burgess in the Virginia House of Burgesses from 1652-1661 and Speaker of the House of Burgesses in 1660-1661.

 Judith Soane (1646-1704), daughter of Henry Soane and Judith Fuller married first Henry Randolph (1623-1673) and secondly Peter Field (1648-1706/7). Mary Field (1679/80-1715), their daughter married Thomas Jefferson, Jr (1679-1731), Sheriff of Henrico County, Virginia and son of Thomas Jefferson (I) and Mary Branch.

 Peter Jefferson (1708-1757), son of Thomas Jefferson, Jr and Mary Field married Jane Randolph (1720-1776). They were the parents of Thomas Jefferson, who became President of the United States.

 Henry Soane (1622-1661/2) descended from the Soanes of  Rottindean and Litlington and the Worgers of Brighton, East Sussex in England. Henry's wife, Judith Fuller descended from the Fullers of Heathfield and Hellingly in Sussex and the Brabons of Hastings in East Sussex.

 The book is available from Clearfield Publishing Co, 200 East Eager Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.