In light of the events of the past 24 hours, it would be remiss for me not to honor the memory of one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century. Michael Joseph Jackson was born to Joseph and Katherine Jackson on August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana. As a young man he joined with his siblings to form the group, The Jackson 5 and later The Jacksons. In his adult years, Michael Jackson became a solo artist, actor and an international superstar. His breakthrough album 'Thriller' produced by himself and Quincy Jones, became the best selling record of all time. He helped usher in an entirely new concept in music videos with his breakthrough video 'Thriller'. Michael blended the art of music story telling and movie making to create this new genre in music videos. Another later breakthrough video was for the hit "Remember the Time" which depicted Egyptians as black Africans and showed the wide range in physical appearance of native born Africans. Michael Jackson will be fondly remembered by his family, his multi-generational fans and people all over the world as the man who broke the mold when it came to entertainment. Michael, as a fan as long as I can remember, I will truly miss you! Go with the Ancestors in peace!
The Family Griot
REMEMBER THE TIME
ROCK WITH YOU
THRILLER
Friday, June 26, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Family Griot "On The Road Genealogy"
Welcome back to my blog, The Family Griot where I'm digging up the family roots and shaking up the branches. I took a short break after discovering my maternal African Ancestry. I did this for a few reasons, to reorganize and redesign the blog, to plan a genealogical research trip and research the next subject matter I'd be blogging about. I'm pleased to report that I've accomplished all!
My new page design is wonderful in my opinion! These changes come just in time for my research trip to Adams and Wilkinson counties, Mississippi and the Washington-Rounds Family Reunion. This is the perfect opportunity for starter genealogists like myself to record valuable genealogical information by visiting local county clerks office, talking to older relatives, visiting family cemeteries and just having a good time with my family! My trip will also be my initial visit to any local records office. I'll be visiting the chancery clerk and circuit clerk's office to search for records on my mother's families. I'm very excited about what records I'll be able to discover at these locations. Additionally, I'll be visiting the Wilkinson County historical center to get information about the county that may be helpful in my research.
I'll be blogging while I'm on my genealogical research trip and posting pictures of all that I find while I'm out digging up my roots in Mississippi!
My new page design is wonderful in my opinion! These changes come just in time for my research trip to Adams and Wilkinson counties, Mississippi and the Washington-Rounds Family Reunion. This is the perfect opportunity for starter genealogists like myself to record valuable genealogical information by visiting local county clerks office, talking to older relatives, visiting family cemeteries and just having a good time with my family! My trip will also be my initial visit to any local records office. I'll be visiting the chancery clerk and circuit clerk's office to search for records on my mother's families. I'm very excited about what records I'll be able to discover at these locations. Additionally, I'll be visiting the Wilkinson County historical center to get information about the county that may be helpful in my research.
I'll be blogging while I'm on my genealogical research trip and posting pictures of all that I find while I'm out digging up my roots in Mississippi!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
MtDNA Test Results. . .
Back in April, I sent my DNA to be tested by African Ancestry for analysis to determine my Mitochondrial DNA (MtDNA). After what seemed to be one of the longest waits of my life, the results were returned to me yesterday. The maternal ancestry of the Rounds Family originates from the Balanta people mainly of Guinea-Bissau. These results confirm the oral family history of the Rounds family's origins in Guinea.
I spent about 10 minutes trying to wrap my head around the notion of actually knowing what ethnic group I belong to. Its an amazing and indescribable feeling. These results excited me so much and I began to search out information on the internet about. What I found out was so incredible to me because it made me so proud! It also created an entirely new set of questions about the connection between how my ancestors came here and if there were others who shared the same connection between Guinea-Bissau, Virginia and Adams County, Mississippi.
This is what I found on WikiPedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balanta):
The Balanta (same spelling in Guinea-Bissau Creole and Portuguese, balante in French transliteration), meaning literally "those who resist", are an ethnic group found in Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, and Gambia. They are the largest ethnic group of Guinea-Bissau, representing more than one-quarter of the population. But despite their numbers, they have remained outside the colonial and postcolonial state because of their social organization. The Balanta can be divided into four subgroups, (three of which are Balanta Kentohe, Balanta Ganja, and Balanta Brassa) the largest of which are the Balanta Brassa.
Archaeologists believe that the people who became the Balanta migrated to present-day Guinea-Bissau in small groups between the tenth and fourteenth century C.E. During the nineteenth century they spread throughout the area that is presently Guinea-Bissau and southern Senegal in order to resist the expansion of the Kaabu kingdom. Oral tradition amongst the Balanta has it that they migrated westward from the area that is now Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia to escape drought and wars. Today, the Balanta are mostly found in the south and central regions of Guinea-Bissau.
Video introducing Balanta language:
Video of Balantas Dancing
Balanta Dance
I spent about 10 minutes trying to wrap my head around the notion of actually knowing what ethnic group I belong to. Its an amazing and indescribable feeling. These results excited me so much and I began to search out information on the internet about. What I found out was so incredible to me because it made me so proud! It also created an entirely new set of questions about the connection between how my ancestors came here and if there were others who shared the same connection between Guinea-Bissau, Virginia and Adams County, Mississippi.
This is what I found on WikiPedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balanta):
The Balanta (same spelling in Guinea-Bissau Creole and Portuguese, balante in French transliteration), meaning literally "those who resist", are an ethnic group found in Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, and Gambia. They are the largest ethnic group of Guinea-Bissau, representing more than one-quarter of the population. But despite their numbers, they have remained outside the colonial and postcolonial state because of their social organization. The Balanta can be divided into four subgroups, (three of which are Balanta Kentohe, Balanta Ganja, and Balanta Brassa) the largest of which are the Balanta Brassa.
Archaeologists believe that the people who became the Balanta migrated to present-day Guinea-Bissau in small groups between the tenth and fourteenth century C.E. During the nineteenth century they spread throughout the area that is presently Guinea-Bissau and southern Senegal in order to resist the expansion of the Kaabu kingdom. Oral tradition amongst the Balanta has it that they migrated westward from the area that is now Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia to escape drought and wars. Today, the Balanta are mostly found in the south and central regions of Guinea-Bissau.
Video introducing Balanta language:
Video of Balantas Dancing
Balanta Dance
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