Charleston Community Unites to Digitally Preserve Family Histories at Museum Event

Charleston Community Comes Together to Preserve Family History

CHARLESTON, S.C. – This past weekend, Charleston’s vibrant African-American community gathered at the International African American Museum for a truly special event focused on preserving family histories. The museum hosted a digital photo scanning event, welcoming everyone to bring in their cherished documents—think old photographs, church obituaries, and even birth records—to be scanned and digitized. The event aimed to shine a light on the significant stories and memories that make up the fabric of Charleston.

Preserving a Rich Heritage

Brian Sheffey, the director of the Center for Family History, was on hand to help. “One of the things I really wanted to do is capture the lost African American history here in Charleston,” Sheffey shared with us. He emphasized that some of these stories, along with the people connected to them, are still present in Charleston today. The initiative was a heartfelt invite to the local community to preserve their family history as a part of Charleston’s broader narrative.

A Flexible and Fun Event

Visitors had the option of making appointments to ensure their documents got scanned, but the event also offered a welcoming drop-in option for those who couldn’t plan ahead. Attendees celebrated their heritage alongside each other, sharing stories as they scanned precious family records. Some noteworthy items that Sheffey and his team encountered included rare military awards and historic birth records. “We’ve had some amazing old birth certificates that look like driver’s licenses,” Sheffey noted with enthusiasm. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Fun for Families

The event wasn’t just about scanning documents; it was also a delightful family outing! Kids enjoyed making bracelets and drawing while parents took turns getting their important documents preserved. Food trucks added to the festive atmosphere, providing a range of tasty options to keep everyone energized and happy throughout the day.

Connecting to the Community’s Roots

One of the main goals of this event was to piece together the history of Charleston’s historic Black neighborhoods. Sheffey pointed out, “Whether people realize it or not, if they have family that lived here, they are part of Charleston’s history. It’s a wonderful thing to document that.” His enthusiasm for the project was clear as he encouraged everyone to participate.

Looking Forward

For those who missed out on the weekend’s event, don’t worry! The museum is planning to hold another scanning event in the spring of 2025. If anyone in the community is interested in having their own event organized, they can easily reach out to the museum via email to request a visit.

Join in on the next adventure!

As Charleston continues to celebrate its rich and diverse history, initiatives like this pave the way for future generations to connect with their roots. The digital photo scanning event provided a warm space for families to come together, share stories, and preserve documents that hold their cherished memories.

So mark your calendars for next spring! Let’s keep this beautiful tradition alive and help make sure that our rich history continues to be part of Charleston’s story. Until then, keep those family records safe and sound!