African-American list, web site moves here

An African-American mailing list and World Wide Web site, Afrigeneas, is now located at Mississippi State.

Formerly housed at North Carolina A&T University, the list and site moved to Mississippi State because of "the university's hospitable climate to African Americans, the presence of the widely known Historical Text Archive on the web and the university's computer telecommunications prowess," according to Dr. Donald J. Mabry, who maintains the site.

Sandra Hall of San Diego, Calif., designed the site, which is maintained by Valencia King Nelson of Anniston, Ala., as well as Mabry, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

According to Nelson, "Afrigeneas is a mailing list focused on genealogical research and resources in general and on African ancestry in particular. This page serves as a focal point for information about African-ancestored families and for pointers to genealogical sources worldwide. Each of us may provide information to this collection."

Persons interested in African-American genealogy and history also can access the web site. Besides materials collected through the mailing list, the site provides links to other genealogical sources, including the Historical Text Archive with its collection of materials on African-American history.

"Enabling African Americans to discover their roots is important in itself, but the fact that we can share the discoveries widely provides rich sources of data to researchers in the history of families and of slavery," said Mabry.

The list address is afrigeneas@msstate.edu; the list moderator, Nelson, may be contacted via electronic mail at VKN@aol.com. The AFRIGENEAS web address is http://www.msstate.edu/Archives/History/afrigen.