Oral family transmission preserved lineages that archival records deliberately erased

Evidence

The elders knew that they could not trust history or history books to tell their family stories. So, for safekeeping, they embedded these stories in the hearts and minds of their young. It was both a privilege and a responsibility to be entrusted with the family stories: “Always remember,” “Never forget,” and “Write it down.” And because of the obedience and perseverance of his children, I am able to prove that I’m a direct descendant of Renty Taylor, the subject of the Harvard slave daguerreotypes. — Tamara Lanier, From These Roots, 1148

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the reader’s interest in genealogical reconstruction against archives designed to prevent it — oral history versus the written record.