Black and Indigenous in Virginia: The History They Tried to Erase

Virginia has a complex history of African and Indigenous ancestry, cultural identity, and the systematic erasure of communities through government records. During the 20th century, Walter Plecker, Virginia’s first state registrar of vital statistics, played a significant role in the racial reclassification of Indigenous people, contributing to what is often referred to as "paper genocide." In this presentation, Antonio D. Stovall shares his personal journey of tracing his family’s African American and Indigenous ancestral roots through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, particularly Franklin County. Through historical documents, family photographs, oral traditions, and land records, he explores how generations of his ancestors maintained connections to family, community, and land despite racial discrimination and changing racial classifications. This presentation goes beyond one family’s story. It invites the community to examine the importance of genealogy, question historical narratives, preserve ancestral knowledge, and understand how government records have shaped our understanding of identity. Our ancestors’ stories are more than what was written on paper. By researching our family histories, we reclaim the voices, experiences, and legacies of those who came before us. Participants will leave with a deeper appreciation for genealogy and practical inspiration to begin researching and preserving their own family histories.