Greenwood workshop uncovers Tulsa family histories, aids investigations into 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre

A powerful community effort unfolded at the Greenwood Cultural Center where the city of Tulsa has launched the second round of community engagement genealogy workshops.

Finding Answers

Nearly 50 people gathered at the Greenwood Cultural Center this weekend for the second round of Tulsa’s Community Engagement Genealogy workshops. They may have entered the room with questions - but hopefully left with answers…sometimes answers they’ve waited generations for.

“There is a sense of not only belonging, but peace, to know the story of your family,” said Kyra Carby with the City of Tulsa. 

The workshops are funded by a 1-million-dollar federal grant supporting the investigation of remains found in unmarked graves at Tulsa’s Oaklawn Cemetery.

Help from the Pros

Tulsans are gathering to trace their family histories and potentially aid in identifying victims from one of the deadliest acts of violence in history.

Attendees are receiving hands-on help from genealogists. They’ll be diving into records, building family trees and learning how to start their research.

“They may have history with their ancestors living in Tulsa, which takes us back during that time of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre,” said Genealogist Janel Cherry Daniels. 

A Clearer Past

Even if people discover they aren’t tied to the Tulsa Race Massacre, Carby says it provides them with new tools to add to their toolbox and can help make their family’s past more clear.

“It really gives people a history to be able to share and to realize how they got to where they are from their ancestors,” she said.