Brister English Project
We Conserve Ancestry Through Research And Restoration
The Brister English Project is dedicated to illuminating the rich heritage of American descendants of chattel slavery, fostering self-discovery and unity through genealogical exploration. Our mission is to provide an inclusive, supportive platform that celebrates ancestral roots, strengthens cultural bonds, and inspires future generations to embrace their unique legacy with pride and purpose.
About Us
I love history and I’ve always wanted to learn about my own family history, so why not combine the two? I was told that my history never existed. In 2011 the seed was planted, but I could never get passed my Grandmother.
Fast forward 10 years and a Historian friend offered to help with my tree. Eventually with their help, I not only saw pictures of people that have long passed away, but we saw a slave census with my second great grandfather’s name on it. After that, thanks to the of TikTok, I was able to reach out to a historian from Alabama, Chuck. Chuck is not only a historian but, a descendant from the man who owned my father side of family, Thomas Cassander English. After my discussion with Chuck, I decided to let TikTok come along for the adventure.
The further I went, I made discoveries, met cousins, and sparked conversations with my family we didn’t know we needed to have The more I uploaded on Tiktok, the more people were asking me for help. What started out as just a database of free resources I created to help ADOS connect with their ancestors, has turned into what’s known as, The Brister English Project. Ran mainly off donations, the purpose is to help American Descendants of Slavery, connect with their roots. I know first hand the feeling that one gets when they discover a past they thought never existed.
I have a waiting list where Black people can sign up and with donations I can donate 15-20 hours of my time, with help from the same historian who helped me, and either start a tree or help with an existing one. I think this is a big healing step for the black community and I’m happy to lead this charge.
-Walt Way aka FormerLovePoet
Who we are
We are the Brister English Project, a non-profit that is passionate about connecting American descendants of chattel slavery with our ancestry. Our mission is to uncover the stories and legacies that have been lost, burned, lied about or forgotten over time.
What we do
We provide direct assistance in building family trees, offer a comprehensive database of free genealogy resources, and conduct educational workshops for the Black community. Our goal is to bridge the gap between the past and present by making genealogical research accessible and meaningful.
What we’ve accomplished
Since our start, we have helped numerous families start or expand their family trees. We've partnered with institutions like the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History on the London Nelson Legacy Initiative. Our work has not only enriched individual lives but has also contributed to a more inclusive and accurate historical narrative.
BEP Initiatives
The Brister English Project has initiated several efforts to support genealogical research for descendants of American chattel slavery:
Genealogy Workshops
Coming Soon
Workshops would cover genealogy basics, research strategies, using online resources, interpreting records, and building family trees.
Tracing the descendants of Black individuals from the Gold Rush era.
Collaborations
Coming Soon
Collaborating with various institutions for historical research projects, and conducting educational outreach to increase awareness and engagement in genealogy within the Black community.
Resources
The Brister English Project offers a range of resources to support genealogical research for descendants of American chattel slavery. These resources include guides for tracing ancestors, general resources for African American genealogy, Freedmen's Bureau records, information on ancestor nicknames, censuses, newspapers, military records, obituaries, Social Security records, insurance policies, records of enslaved births, church records, slave ship manifests, and even a section with resources for African Caribbean ancestry. For more detailed information, you can visit the Brister English Project's resource page.
Raising Funds
The Brister English Project is an important initiative that connects people with their past. With your support and funding, we can accomplish our mission of providing a space for the American descendants of chattel slavery to tell their stories. Please join us and invest in the project that's transforming American genealogy.
Donations Help
- Research and Development: The project requires extensive research into the history of American slavery and its impact on modern-day communities. Funding is needed to compensate researchers, genealogists, and historians who will work on the project. I'm currently interviewing volunteers but I also would like a staff that can help. Their expertise will be crucial in helping us connect with our lost past and restore our cultural heritage.
- Technology and Infrastructure: Proper technology and infrastructure are essential for the success of the project. This includes purchasing and maintaining genealogy software, online subscriptions, securing servers and databases, website maintenance and development to make the project accessible to people all over the country.
- Equipment and Supplies: To carry out this project, we require equipment, including computers, cameras, projectors, and audio equipment. This equipment will allow us to record and document every aspect of our research. As well as display it in future community events.
- General/Miscellaneous Expenses: We need to pay rent, water, electricity, and other necessary expenses. Currently, my apartment is my office but would like a larger space. Looking to cover expenses like, transportation and logistics to ensure that the project runs smoothly. Costs could include rental cars, hotel bookings, and airfare. During the project, several unforeseen expenses may arise. To handle these expenses, we need to allocate a certain amount for miscellaneous costs that may come up.
Making History Tangible
Phone
(585) 673-0095
Email
BristerEP@gmail.com
Social
@FormerLovePoet
Brister English Project
Privacy Policy
The Brister English Project is committed to protecting the privacy of our website visitors and donors. This privacy policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information.
Information Collection and Use: We collect information when you visit our website, make a donation, or sign up for our newsletter. This may include your name, address, email, and payment information. We use this information to process donations, send updates, and improve our services.
Data Security: We take reasonable measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, or destruction. However, no internet transmission is completely secure.
Third-Party Services: We may use third-party services for payment processing or analytics. These services are governed by their own privacy policies.
Changes to This Policy: We reserve the right to update this policy. Any changes will be posted on our website.
Contact Us: If you have any questions about this policy, please contact us.