With Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday just past and Black History Month about to roll around, the Discover Your Roots conference is an opportune chance for African-Americans to research their family history in America.

According to conference chairperson Steve Gilliand, this event is “The perfect opportunity for African-Americans to learn the skills necessary to trace their ancestry and see how their families helped build modern society.”

Although the promise of “40 acres and a mule” for each freed slave was never realized after the Civil War, the reconstructionist American government did create at least one program that is now paying dividends to the decedents of those former slaves.

In 1865, the Freedmen’s Bank was chartered specifically to serve the needs of the newly freed citizens; most of who could not read, write or even sign their names. The Bank created an extensive system of family history for each depositor as a means of ensuring identity.

Although the Bank eventually failed, it did create a massive database of information that is now being used to form a genealogical foundation.

The original records were rediscovered by Marie Taylor of the Salt Lake Genealogical Society in 1989 and were processed by 550 volunteers from the Utah State Prison system.

It took volunteers nearly 11 years to catalog, cross-reference and file the millions of names included in the original Freedmen’s Bank records.

Together with the California African America Genealogical Society and the African American Heritage Society, volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have invited the public to attend the event.

Some of the featured speakers are such noted persons as Juanita McDonald, California Congressperson from the 34th district and archivist Chris Haley, nephew of Alex Haley author of “Roots.”

Although not necessary, attendees should bring any family records they already possess, such as birth and death certificates, military records, land and property deeds, etc.

Although the primary focus is on African-American genealogies, people of all backgrounds and races are invited to attend.

Pre-registration is $8 and includes a conference syllabus with notes if paid by Feb 8. Registration at the door is $10General questions about Genealogy and family research can be directed to the Family Heritage Library at (310) 474-2202Questions about the conference can be directed to Steve Gilliland at (562) 429-3394