Mission & History

Mission Statement

Objectives

• To encourage and support the utilization of genealogy as a tool for Americans to become aware of their history, heritage, and self-worth.
• To encourage the collection, preservation, and maintenance of African American genealogical materials at various libraries, museums, and other repositories as the Society deems appropriate.
• To stimulate the membership and the general public to research, study, and record their family histories.
• To promote and maintain ethical standards in genealogical research and publication.

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History

In 1985, James Dent Walker (1928 – 1993), Edgar F. Love (1919 – 2009), and Lonnie G. Bunch III recognized the need for African American genealogists and family historians in Los Angeles to network with one another. James Dent Walker was the founder and served as president of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Edgar Love was a Southern California college/university educator. Dr. Lonnie Bunch was the first curator at the California African American Museum in Los Angeles and is currently the Director of the new Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

 

They collaborated and collectively, their vision led to the formation of the California African American Genealogical Society (CAAGS). The first meeting was held on March 23, 1986, at the California African American Museum.

 

 

 

 

 

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LOGO Designer

Charter Member, Dr. George B. Jenkins (1919 – 2010)

• Designed the CAAGS Logo, and was an assistant professor at Cal Poly Pomona.
• Researched and traced ancestors from slavery before joining a trek that led to Placerville, CA, during the Gold Rush Era.
• The Society was officially incorporated in March 1992 and is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt organization.

 

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Former CAAGS Website Pages