Unfolding Our Past

This book shares the voluminous research and loving journey into uncovering a piece of my lineage. Over the past few years I have been able to go backwards in time eight generations of my maternal line - spanning Scotland, Ireland, Africa, British America, and finally settled into Low Country South Carolina beginning in 1732 through 1925. This journey has revealed, Londenberry survivors, travelers down the Great Wagon trail, confrontation with Sherman's army; and solidified for me the fact that Black History is American history. DNA testing will force my family to come to terms with their own mixed raced identities as they learn about the strong and fascinating ancestors of which we descend. It s powerful to see women heads of house, ex-slave land owners, cousins as founding fathers of Hampton County SC. This journey points out the gaps in documentation of slaves, destroyed records in South Carolina, the time and expense of embarking on a journey of unfolding the past. The book is written in a easy magazine-style; complete with glimpses of historical family documents, photographs, and travel logs. UOP is on You Tube channel BeathReidTutenMcCoyJohnstonJoyner with behind the scenes insights, highlights, roadtrips, and cemetery tours. I have plans to continue with the family research; add in paternal research, and eventually add in current generations.

This second version of Unfolding Our Past book assembles the research in chronological order and clearly demonstrates that Black History is the intersection of African, European, and American history. As much as my family will learn about the strong and fascinating ancestors of which we descend; so will any reader with an interest in the families of the low country. The European ancestors chose to make the 6 week journey across the Atlantic in search of a better life in British America. The African ancestors had no choice. They were ripped from the arms of family, stolen from West Africa; and forced on a harsh journey to a new land. The research presented includes the origins of the Beath, Reid, Ruth, Johnston, Joyner families and includes information on the people of Cameroon, Benin, and Ghana whose lives became connected. Eventually these Europeans and these Africans' lives were intertwined and forever rooted in South Carolina.

Michele LarMoore was raised in Philadelphia and attended Julia Reynolds Masterman Laboratory and Demonstration School, The Philadelphia High School for Girls, Temple University, Pennsylvania State University, and Western International University. She joins the Camden County Historical Society Board and Trustees in 2018, and is an executive with TD Bank.