Cara Griggs will discuss methods and resources for African American genealogy prior to the end of the Civil War. Attendees will learn about ways of determining whether an individual was enslaved or free and what types of records will be useful for further research. The lecture will focus on the Library of Virginia's collections including cohabitation registers, free Negro registers and lists, wills, deeds, and tax records as well as selected federal records that can be accessed through its databases. 

Griggs has been a reference archivist at the Library of Virginia since 2006. She earned a BA in history from Westhampton College of the University of Richmond, an MA in social sciences from the University of Chicago, and an MSLIS with an archival studies concentration from Drexel University. She is a member of the Academy of Certified Archivists.

To register, complete Thomas Balch Library's online form.