Researching Your African Canadian Roots

BPL Genealogy Fair

Join local genealogist Janie Cooper-Wilson as she discusses how to research your African Canadian roots.

Watch: https://my.nicheacademy.com/barrie/course/20672/sequence/7783 

Tune in as Janie Cooper-Wilson discusses local history, provides tips and tricks regarding how to research African Canadian ancestors, and shares her own research stories.

About Janie Cooper Wilson 

Janie has had a life-long passion for history, researching & documenting Black History as a crucial part of the collective history of Ontario. She is a strong advocate for the preservation of endangered historical buildings and early cemeteries and spearheaded the intensive public relations initiative to preserve the 1849 Oro African Methodist Episcopal Church, in Edgar, Ontario. Presently, Janie is attempting to save a crucial Black History Site in Haldimand County, from obliteration.

Janie is the founder and Executive Director of the SilverShoe Historical Society and was the driving force behind the restoration and Designation of Bethel-Union and the Old Zion Presbyterian Cemeteries in Clearview Township. As well, Janie, with the assistance of her dedicated SilverShoe Team, has facilitated an Annual Memorial Candlelight Service for the past two decades. She is a sitting member of the Ontario Historical Society Board of Directors, serving as OHS Field Representative for Simcoe County and as Co - Chair of the OHS Cemetery Preservation & Defence Committee.

Over her long career, Janie has been the author of numerous articles & publications and has been the recipient of many Awards, such as: 2012 OHS Carnochan Award; 2015 OMAH Historic Reconstruction Award; 2018 OBHS Harriet Tubman Award and in September 2018, she was inducted as one of Canada’s 100 Accomplished Black Women. 

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