Author Archives: familytreegirl

About familytreegirl

Shelley Murphy, aka “familytreegirl”, a native of Michigan residing in Central Virginia, Shelley has been an avid genealogist for over 25+ years researching the Davis, Marsh, Goens/Goins/Goings, Roper, Boyer, Worden, Cureton, and Murphy family lines. She is a Coordinator and faculty for the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI), presents Genealogy 101 workshops at the local community college, state and national genealogy conferences. She holds a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership and works as an adjunct professor for Averett University. Murphy is known for her inspiring and interactive “Getting Started” Methods and Strategies for genealogy research, “Time and File management” along with interesting problem-solving methodology lectures. Shelley currently has 20+ publications with Charlottesville Genealogy Examiner and the Central Virginia Heritage, a publication of the Central Virginia Genealogical Association. She is an instructor for the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI). Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership, Adjunct Professor, Professional Genealogist. Volunteers for American Red Cross as a Disaster Services Instructor, facilitates financial education workshops for the last 8 years, and former licensed Real Estate Broker

Shall Yerger (25 May 1853-22 Jan. 1884)

Posted on January 8, 2020

Originally posted on Students of the University of Virginia, 1825-1874:
Shall Yerger was the son of William Yerger (1816–1872), a lawyer and a judge in Jackson, MS, and his wife, Malvina Hogan (Rucks) Yerger (1819–1914). He grew up in Jackson,…

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“African American Genealogy Challenges” Part 1

Posted on November 27, 2019

I am challenged everyday on how I conduct my genealogical research. It doesn’t matter if I am doing African American or European ancestry  -challenges are expected and welcomed. There are so many myths that cause more challenges, such as all … Continue reading →

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Black Family Research: Records of Post-Civil War Federal Agencies at the National Archives

Posted on September 2, 2019

Originally posted on 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry:
This 32-page guide by Reginald Washington (now retired from the National Archives) is a must. It’s free. Just click on the image and download it.

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Finding Enslaved Laborers at UVA Descendants…

Posted on July 21, 2019

Sharing information about my new job. Join me in reading the articles and feel free to share. It will take a community to build this project. The President’s Commission on Slavery at the University (University of Virginia, Charlottesville) has designed a … Continue reading →

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William C. Murphy: is it two or three wives?

Posted on June 3, 2019

I have written about my paternal grandfather a few times. But this one has my mind boggled. So let’s walk through a bit of a timeline to see what I have.  I know I have to do the SO WHAT … Continue reading →

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Saving Boyd Carter Memorial Cemetery in Kearneysville, West VA

Posted on April 27, 2019

I am so sorry to my ancestors and my heart is broken. A group of folks are trying to help save the cemetery from being disturbed. I feel we are too late, money and dirty tactics will probably win. But, … Continue reading →

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Just because you have a Black friend…

Posted on March 1, 2019

does not mean you are not a racist or have racist tendencies! This write up is a little rant, so it’s up to you if you want to read it or not. The 2019 Black History month has not been … Continue reading →

Posted in Genealogy | 6 Comments