Fifth Annual Tacoma African American Family History Event

“Family Ties That Inspire”

The Tacoma FamilySearch Center will host the 5th Annual Tacoma African American Family History Event, a FREE community workshop focused on discovering and preserving African American ancestry.

The event will take place Saturday, March 21, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at 1102 S. Pearl St., Tacoma, WA 98465. The workshop and lunch are free and open to the public.

For many African Americans, learning about their ancestors and uncovering their family stories can be challenging due to gaps in historical records. This annual event was created to help address those challenges while honoring the significant contributions African Americans have made to their communities.

Participants will hear from community leaders, historians, and genealogy experts who will share practical strategies for researching African American ancestry and preserving family stories for future generations.

Thanks to partnerships between FamilySearch International, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, historical records of millions of men, women, and children of African descent are now searchable online at no cost. The workshop will demonstrate how to use these resources along with other free tools to begin or expand your family history research.

2026 Keynote & Presenters

• Keynote Speaker: First Lady Tralayne Davis, Eastside Assembly of Believers

• Presenter: Dan Call, Franklin Pierce High School teacher

• Presenter: Tim Ward, Tacoma Pierce County Genealogical Society

• Musical Presentation: Cornelius Winesberry – “The Star Spangled Banner”

• Musical Number: Dianna Kennedy

Throughout the event, attendees will also have access to one-on-one genealogy assistance and guidance on how to begin building their own family tree using FamilySearch and other research tools.

Family is more than biological ties—it reflects the relationships, experiences, and shared memories that shape who we are. As historian Henry Louis Gates Jr. reminds us:

“We stand on the shoulders of ancestors who endured incredible hardships so that we could be born. We must honor them by finding and remembering their names and passing that information on to future generations.”

This event invites the community to come together to learn, remember, and celebrate the stories that connect us.

Learn how to honor your past and inspire future generations.

Register today:http://www.tacomaaafhe.com