Mormon Church

Located in Henning, Tennessee near Memphis, The Alex Haley Museum and Interpretive Center is located in a home built by the maternal grandfather of Alex Haley. Haley lived there with his grandparents for eight years, as well as for many summers following. He often sat on the front porch listening to stories of his slave and African ancestors, which he later wrote about in the history making book, Roots: The Saga of An American Family. It won a Pulitzer prize and was made into a mini-series that captivated viewers, sparking a passion for genealogy among many.

The museum was dedicated on August 13, 2010. Visitors can see how Haley lived and view memorabilia, as well as Alex Haley’s grave. In addition, they can visit the FamilySearch Center, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, whose members are commonly called Mormons. Mormons are noted for their genealogy work and volunteers at this center will assist visitors in tracking down their own roots. Haley’s son, William Haley, stated that he considers LDS resources very valuable for African-American researchers and he regularly sends people to LDS family history centers, located in most LDS (Mormon) church buildings. These centers are always open to the general public and are staffed with knowledgeable volunteers.

The Mormons have also released the Freedman’s Bank records on CD, which is a searchable database of African Americans living for several generations after the Civil War.

At the center, you’ll find two kiosks where you can learn to use the FamilySearch website under the guidance of volunteers to search for your family. Then you can return home to continue your search on your own. The volunteers can also guide you to other sources for information on your ancestors.

Mormons believe family life goes far beyond this life. They teach that God planned for families to last for all of eternity, and this gives family history work a special meaning to Mormons. Mormon beliefs teach that when we die, we will live with our families and will be connected to all those in our family who came before us. By doing family history work in this life, they become familiar with the people they will spend eternity with. For Mormons, death is both a return to their Heavenly Father and their Savior Jesus Christ, and a giant family reunion.

Watch this video from LDS Public Affairs on the dedication of the museum and see what Haley’s family and others have to say about African-American family history:

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