story by MANDY HOWARD
photos below courtesy of WILLIAM EVANS
When William Evans started researching his family tree, it was with a modest goal in mind. “We had an upcoming family reunion. This branch of my family had not conducted any comprehensive research, compiled any family information or passed down any oral history.” As a professional educator with a known love of learning, Evans was the natural choice to lead the charge.
What began as a simple favor for a family member became a passion. “The more information I learned, the more I was motivated to keep digging; and I haven’t stopped since,” he says.
Originally from Henderson, Evans lives in Durham and works as a high school counselor. With both an undergraduate and graduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, curiosity and research were always part of his story.
“I already knew the complexities of African-American history, so I went into it already knowing what to expect regarding my family’s early experiences in the U.S.” However, he adds, “I’m of the mindset that history can’t be altered; and the knowledge of history is necessary in order to understand why our society exists as it does today. Since the act of learning is something I already valued, I was not afraid of what I’d find. Truth is truth and history is history.”
Joyful Discoveries
What Evans found was a gift he hadn’t expected. “As a Black man, I assumed that my early Black ancestors were all enslaved. I also assumed I’d never know who their enslavers were or what countries my ancestors were taken from. I was wrong about all of those,” he says.
Historical records reveal that Evans’ fifth great-grandfather, Thomas Evans, was born around 1790 and his lineage consisted of Free People of Color. He lived in Granville County and served in the War of 1812. It is precisely these kinds of surprises and discoveries that make genealogists so passionate about their field.
Diane L. Richard, a professional genealogist since 2004, embarked on her ancestral journey in 1987. She says, “We are our own person and yet a product of both our genetics and our upbringing, which is influenced by the same factors for our parents, grandparents and so on. Studying our family tree gives us a sense of where we come from.”
Similar to Evans, Richard began with modest and personal goals. “I didn’t know anything about my family,” she says. Her mother had emigrated alone and her father’s family ties were all but lost. “I decided to use my engineering background and some free time to look into all that I didn’t know.” She discovered not only her history, but also found her passion and lifelong vocation.
Curiosity Meets Courage
Evans and Richard both note that genealogy research is not easy, nor for the “faint of heart.”
“You have to be mentally and emotionally prepared to learn that what you think is true is actually false,” Evans explains. He recalls guiding a woman who learned that her birth stemmed from a relationship outside her parents’ marriage. It was a complete shock and created a chasm of emotion she hadn’t expected to cross. “You have to know the emotional taxes you’re willing to pay. If you think the cost would be too high, it may not be for you.”
Richard echoes that caution, noting that when you dig into historical records and DNA testing, finding “skeletons in the closet” may be inevitable. When she uncovered an unknown truth in her family history, she was faced with family members who discouraged her. She felt no judgment of her ancestors, but understands that family secrecy is borne of that very fear—that people will be judged. While maintaining integrity in her research, she leaned into kindness and reassured family members that, “understanding, not condemnation, should be the guide in discovery.”
Richard says, “Our ancestors were successful. We are here as proof. People are human. They did what they did to either enjoy or survive their lives.” She adds that the discoveries we make, while informing our lives, should not make us feel like we are fundamentally changed. And the choices and actions taken by our ancestors can not necessarily be judged through today’s lens. “We are our own person. [Genealogy] gives us a sense of where we come from, but not what defines us.”
Taking the First Steps
Whether you’ve got a family reunion approaching or just have the itch to find out more, both Evans and Richard encourage you to start close to home.
“An African proverb states, ‘when an elder dies, a library burns to the ground.’ This means they take all their knowledge and wisdom with them to the grave, and there’s no way to recover that information,” Evans says. The stories he learned from elders in his family were invaluable launching pads for his research. Simultaneously, he lamented not beginning his research before some family members had passed away.
Richard reminds clients that even in their immediate families, they may find surprises. “I learned my mother had won awards as a youth for playing piano. I never saw her touch a piano,” she says. Inspired specifically by her mom, Richard gives and annual talk titled, “Unlocking the Life of an English Rose: Don’t Overlook Researching Your Immediate Family.”
After asking questions and gathering stories from family, Evans and Richard point to the many free and subscription-based services that can help with research. Consider looking into:
Websites, including ancestry.com (paid), findagrave.com (free) and familysearch.org (free). Richard advises diligence in fact-checking as she has discovered errors on website resources.
Original documents, which you can research by starting with your own records and working backward. If you’re tracing your roots in North Carolina, the State Library and State Archives can help you along the way. Search dncr.nc.gov for family history and genealogy resources.
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the official repository for U.S. federal records, including census, immigration and military records. Search archives.gov.
Local and state genealogy societies, including the Wake County Genealogical Society (wakecogen.org), the Durham-Orange Genealogical Society (dogsnc.org) and the North Carolina Genealogical Society, (ncgenealogy.org).
Professional genealogists can be found through the Association of Professional Genealogists (apgen.org).
Kinship Across Time
Beyond the surprises and stories in their family history, Richard and Evans both noted that discovering another element makes exploring one’s roots truly gratifying: connection.
“Genealogy gives many a sense of connection to something beyond themselves. A “tribe” that they connect to,” Richard says.
Sometimes that connection is incredibly direct. Evans found his cousin, Howard Evans, through DNA testing, who also descended from Thomas Evans. Howard invited Evans to a social media group for descendants of Free People of Color in North Carolina. From there, he met two more cousins who were genealogy researchers. Little did he know that his passion would be shared so strongly with family members whom he had never met.
Other times, the connection is indirect. As Richard alludes, it gives the researcher a broader sense of who they are and where they belong.
Evans reflects on how his research changed his very notion of how he fits into the story of America. “I descend from enslaved Black people, Free People of Color, soldiers from the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and World War II. I descend from the Nansemond Indian Nation in Virginia and, yes, white slaveholders too. Before learning all of this information, I never quite felt “at home” in our country. I felt like a visitor. Now that I have an overall picture of just how completely embedded my ancestors were in every stage of this country’s history, I realize that my family wove the tapestry of America—and all of those people contributed threads that eventually came together to create me.
“Doing genealogy research can therefore help everyone learn the roles their family played in American history and why you are who you are,” he concludes. “Once you have that knowledge and a better sense of your place in the world, you’ll begin to see yourself in a new light. I promise you’ll like your new reflection.”
Evans’ fourth great-uncle, Thomas Evans, who was born approximately 1852, a Free Person of Color.
Evans’ third great grandmother, Nancy Hargrove Roberts, who was born enslaved around 1862.
Evans with newly discovered cousin Chief Oumar in Cameroon.
Evans meeting cousin Prince Mohammed Njoya.