NMB: Personal Journey & Personal Objects
The third event of the National Museum of Bermuda’s [NMB] “Tracing Our Roots/Routes” programme will be held on Wednesday, April 14th.
“On Wednesday, April 14 at 5:30pmAT, a panel of experts from the Smithsonian Institution will lead a webinar sharing how personal stories and objects play an integral part in the development of a museum’s collection, exhibits, and community archives. This webinar is the next event in the National Museum of Bermuda’s [NMB] “Tracing Our Roots/Routes” programme,” a spokesperson said.
“Hollis Gentry, Smithsonian Libraries and Dr. Joanne Hyppolite, National Museum of African American History and Culture [NMAAHC] will present several objects from the Smithsonian’s collection that have Caribbean origins and explain how these objects came into the museum’s holdings.
“Dr. Doretha Williams and Kamilah Stinnett from the Robert Frederick Smith Explore Your Family History Center will share stories about their journey with community engagement and provide strategies on how to effectively research family history from the Center’s database of information.”
NMB Director of Learning & Engagement Lisa Howie said: “We are fortunate to have this opportunity to engage with the Smithsonian Institution in DC. While we may not yet be able to travel to Washington to experience the NMAAHC or the Robert Frederick Smith Explore Your Family History Center, we can meet online to learn more about these cultural assets and flag a trip west in the future.”
A spokesperson added, “All participants will receive a free toolkit created by NMB which will includes resources to help participants on their journey of family discovery.
“Pre-register for this webinar to receive the toolkit and other information in advance: www.nmb.bm/tracing-our-roots.
“This event is the third in NMB’s Tracing Our Roots/Routes programme. The first was presented by Kenyatta Berry, American genealogist, author, attorney and television host of PBS’s “Genealogy Roadshow”, who provided tips on how to interview living relatives, use genealogy methodology, and access US and immigration records for those who left Bermuda for the United States.
“The second event featured local experts Jane Downing [NMB], Ellen Hollis [Bermuda National Library], and Mandellas Lightbourne [Bermuda Archives] who shared information about how to find and use local resources in Bermuda to discover your family’s history.
“Both events have supporting toolkits and were recorded: www.nmb.bm/tracing-our-roots. NMB staff recommend watching both presentations before participating in event three.”
NMB Executive Director Elena Strong said: “From Kenyatta’s presentation to our local experts, the scope and breadth of tools for learning one’s family history is becoming its own tree of knowledge. We are very excited to partner with the Smithsonian Institution for this upcoming webinar.”
“Tracing Our Roots/Routes features online presentations by overseas and local experts with an aim to support and encourage family history research and connecting to the past. The programme will also include an on-site contemporary art exhibit by Bermudian artist Gherdai Hassell and a national crowd-sourcing project asking the community to share personal stories and photographs for on-site and digital display.”
