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

Black History Month Reminder for 2023

Posted on February 1, 2023 by familytreegirl

Black History Month is celebrated every February in the United States as a way to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions and achievements of African Americans throughout the nation’s history. As a genealogical researcher it is important to celebrate Black History … Continue reading →

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Thank you to George W. Hewitt, Franklin Co, PA Jan, 1828!

Posted on October 25, 2022 by familytreegirl

While reviewing a Virginia Chancery file that involved my 3rd great grandparents and their family I found the information very interesting and there is a story to be told. First, let me clarify that my 3rd great grandfather was Joseph … Continue reading →

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International African American Museum-Center for Family History

Posted on August 22, 2021 by familytreegirl

Wow, did you know about this museum being built in Charleston, South Carolina? It is being built on sacred ground…Gadsden’s Wharf. Why is it sacred ground you ask?? Well according to the website (https://iaamuseum.org) it is believed that 40% of … Continue reading →

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Bruce Beach

Posted on April 11, 2021 by familytreegirl

Originally posted on My Roots My Blog:
Yesterday I read an article in LA Times (link here) about the descendants of the owners of Bruce Beach hoping to get their property back then I went to newspapers.com to see what…

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We Were Never the Problem!

Posted on September 1, 2020 by familytreegirl

Classify this as a rant. The world is in chaos and it shows the lack of leadership at every aspect. Folks like myself also have fear in our hearts that the past as we knew it, is now our present. … Continue reading →

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Information available to help in African American Genealogy Research prior to 1870.

Posted on July 24, 2020 by familytreegirl

I am in a “not so good mood” because of something I read today on another blog. So I will make this a short response. It is not a good to tell people that there are “no records” if you … Continue reading →

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Looking at Nellie McCorkle-Murphy-Giles

Posted on April 11, 2020 by familytreegirl

As a genealogist we find new family lines quite often. But what do we do with them once they present themselves? Some we will research and add the information to our trees, others will sit and be ignored until something … Continue reading →

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10 Best Genealogy and History YouTube Channels

Posted on March 30, 2020 by familytreegirl

Originally posted on My Roots My Blog:
BlackProGen LIVE! Is on Family Tree Magazine’s 10 Best Genealogy and History YouTube Channels. ?

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

Posted on January 8, 2020 by familytreegirl

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 by familytreegirl

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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