Untold History Foundation Expands African American Archival Legacy

Untold History Foundation, LLC. is proud to announce the donation of two additional African American collectionsto the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies at Southeastern Louisiana University. These collections are rich with historic photographs, documents, funeral programs, church programs, and other archival materials that preserve the history and legacy of African American communities in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes.

The newly established collections are:

• Mt. Canaan Missionary Baptist Church & Robert "Free Bob" Louis Vernon, Jr. Collection
• Grant Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church Collection

With the addition of these two collections, the Untold History Foundation has now established seven archival collections at the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies.

These collections provide invaluable resources for genealogists, historians, scholars, students, and researchers seeking to better understand the African American experience in Tangipahoa and St. Helena Parishes, Louisiana. They preserve family histories, church records, community photographs, and other rare historical materials that might otherwise be lost.

Researchers can explore the online index for each collection by visiting the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies website, where the collections are available to
assist anyone interested in African American genealogy, local history, and community research.

Hidden Treasures of History: One Baptism Certificate, One Family Story

Certificate of Baptism

Courtesy of Dennis James

For more than three decades, I have dedicated my life to researching and documenting the genealogical and local history of Louisiana's Florida Parishes. The history of older churches, African American schools before integration, Black cowboys, and Negro baseball teams has long been the focus of my work. While these stories are deeply woven into the fabric of our communities, uncovering them is rarely an easy task. For one thing no one want to depart with their treasures. Today we use portable scanners and even our phones to take photographs of the materials, ensuring that the orginals never leave the person care and home. 

Historical records, photographs, church documents, and family papers are often scattered, forgotten, or lost over time. Many of the most valuable pieces of our history never made it into an archive or library. Instead, they remain tucked away in dresser drawers, old trunks, family Bibles, and boxes stored in people's homes. These personal collections are priceless treasures that help tell the stories of our ancestors, events and communities.  Mt. Canaan Missionary Baptist Church was organized in 1869. The church was ninety-eight years old at the time of Dennis was baptized. 

The greatest challenge is not simply locating these records, it is finding people who are willing to share them.That is why I was especially grateful when lifelong Mt. Canaan Missionary Baptist Church member Dennis James entrusted me with an original copy of his baptism certificate. His willingness to preserve and share this document ensures that an important piece of the church's history will not be lost to future generations.

The certificate records that Dennis James was baptized in 1967 by the Rev. R. L. Primus. Serving as witnesses were Fairy Dean Hannibal, Allie Ruth Leonard, and Jamie Dillon. The document also identifies his parents, Wallace and Rosa Anderson, preserving another important genealogical connection for the family and the church. At that time they were still baptizing in the Amite River. 

To many people, a baptism certificate may appear to be a simple religious document. To a genealogist and local historian, however, it is far more than that. It is a historical record that documents family relationships, church leadership, community members, and significant life events. These records often provide information that cannot be found in census records, vital records, or courthouse documents.

Every photograph, church program, funeral bulletin, handwritten letter, membership roll, and baptism certificate has the potential to fill gaps in our history. Collectively, these records tell the story of a people whose experiences have too often gone undocumented or overlooked.

I am sincerely thankful to Dennis James for recognizing the importance of preserving his family's history and for trusting me with this remarkable document. His generosity serves as a reminder that preserving our history is a community effort. Each person who shares a document, photograph, or family story helps ensure that the legacy of our ancestors will be remembered, documented, and passed on to future generations.

History lives in the homes of our elders. We simply have to ask, listen, and preserve it before it is gone forever.

The Roots of Excellence: How Effie Jane Gordon Yancy Inspired Generations

Effie Jane Gordon Yancy
1888-1971
Photocourtesy of ancestry

Local history is often found in the genealogy of the people who call, or once called, a place home. Every family story is woven into the larger history of the community, connecting one's genealogy to another across generations. My interest in the local history of the Louisiana Florida Parishes is deeply rooted in my own DNA and family heritage. Through genealogy, I have come to understand that no family's history stands alone. Each lineage intersects with others, creating the rich historical tapestry of the communities they helped build.That truth became even more evident as I assisted Dr. Saundra Yancy McGuire in tracing her roots in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana, particularly the story of her maternal grandmother, Effie Jane Gordon. 

As we uncovered records and pieced together generations of family history, the genealogical evidence consistently affirmed the oral history Dr. McGuire shared with me. Effie Jane Gordon was born in 1888 in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana, during a pivotal period in American history as the region continued to recover from the Civil War and Reconstruction. She was the daughter of Ike Gordon and Malissa Tucker Gordon and represented the first generation of her family born into freedom. Although born in an

Effie Jane Gordon & Ike Gordon
Marriage Records
St. Helena Parish Clerk's Office

era of limited opportunities for African Americans, Effie refused to allow those barriers to define her future or the future of her children. She understood that education was the key to advancement, and she made it her life's mission to ensure that every one of her children received an education. That unwavering commitment became the cornerstone of the Yancy family's legacy and established a tradition of scholarship, service, and leadership that continues to inspire future generations.

According to Dr. McGuire, her grandmother, Effie Jane Gordon, was determined that each of her children would receive an education. That commitment became the cornerstone of the Yancy family's legacy. Effie and her husband, Robert Ernest  Yancy, Jr., were regarded as respected members of their community and would have been considered among its upper-class African American families. Education, community involvement, faith, and service formed the foundation upon which the Yancy family was built.

Dr. McGuire attributes her family's strong educational tradition to her grandmother, whom she described as a woman of character, vision, and determination. Effie Jane Gordon not only instilled the importance of education in her children but also lived those values herself. She served as an educator in the St. Helena Parish School System, demonstrating through both her profession and her example that education was the pathway to opportunity and advancement.

One of the most rewarding aspects of genealogy is witnessing oral history validated by historical records. In the case of the Yancy family, documents and oral traditions worked together to tell a story of perseverance, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to education. It is through stories like these that we gain a deeper understanding of the families who helped shape the history of St. Helena Parish and the Florida Parishes.

Effie Jane Gordon's life and legacy immediately intrigued me and inspired me to learn more about the remarkable woman who shaped generations of the Yancy family. I already knew her granddaughter, Dr. Saundra Yancy McGuire, as an internationally recognized educator, author, and retired Assistant Vice Chancellor and Professor of Chemistry at Louisiana State University. Dr. McGuire is the Director Emerita of LSU's Center for Academic Success and is widely respected for her groundbreaking work in metacognitive learning strategies, helping students around the world transform the way they learn. Her bestselling books and presentations have influenced educators and students across the United States and internationally.

As I came to know Dr. McGuire through our genealogical journey, I wanted to understand the woman who had laid the foundation for such an extraordinary life. It became increasingly clear that the values Dr. McGuire embodies her commitment to education, excellence, service, and mentoring others  did not begin in a university classroom. They were first nurtured in the home of her grandmother, Effie Jane Gordon. Through oral history, family memories, and historical records, I discovered that Effie's influence extended far beyond her own generation. Her unwavering belief in education created a family legacy that continues to impact lives today, proving that the lessons taught by one determined woman can echo across generations.

Dr. Saundra Yancy McGuire
The Chaneyville High School Alumni Association
Hall of Fame Proudly Inducts  Unto Robert Yancy.
Dr. Saundra Yancy McGuire is the daughter of Robert Yancy.
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

 

Small Hands, Big Hearts: Mt. Canaan VBS Campers Brighten Lives at Tangi Pines

Ana receiving the cards
Photo Credit:
Dr. Antoinette Harrell

Mt. Canaan Missionary Baptist Church "City of Refuge" Vacation Bible School campers put smiles on the faces of the residents at Tangi Pines Nursing Home. Their beautiful, colorful artwork brightened the residents' day, and many of the handmade cards included heartfelt words of encouragement.

Some of the campers may have grandparents or great-grandparents who reside in nursing home facilities, making this act of kindness even more meaningful. Through this simple yet powerful project, the campers learned the importance of showing compassion, thinking of others, and reaching out to those who may feel forgotten.

It was a wonderful lesson, one that extended far beyond arts and crafts. Caring for others in the midst of life's circumstances and chaos is a lifelong lesson. Acts of kindness, no matter how small, have the power to bring hope, encouragement, and a smile to someone's heart. Those are lessons these campers will carry with them for years to come.

Every Record Has a Story: A Genealogical Journey with Dr. Saundra Yancy McGuire

Dr. Saundra Yancy McGuire
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

During our first conversation, I learned that her family has deep historical connections to St. Helena Parish, Louisiana, and Amite County, Mississippi.  The same parish my, Wicker, Burton, Richardson, Vining, and Harrell families connected to.  She shared that her primary family surnames are Gordon and Yancy, two families whose roots run deep in the history of both communities. 

As a genealogist, I often tell people that understanding the history of a place is just as important as understanding the history of a family. The two are intertwined. Communities shape families, and families help shape communities. 

St. Helena Parish was established on October 27, 1810, making it one of Louisiana's oldest parishes and one of the original Florida Parishes. At that time, Louisiana had not yet become a state. In fact, statehood would not come until 1812. The creation of St. Helena Parish followed the West Florida Rebellion, when the region transitioned from Spanish rule to becoming part of the United States.

Her 3rd Great Great maternal ancestor were enslaved on the Gordon  Plantation. His life would eventually lead us to a much larger story about slavery, family, survival, and freedom. But it wasn't time to take her there just yet. That is a journey deserving of its own blog post. Stay tune and follow us on this beautiful and powerful genealogy adventure. 

Dr. Saundra Yancy McGuire
St. Helena Parish Clerk's Office 

As our research unfolded, it became clear that this would be more than a search for names and dates. It would become a journey through generations of family, community, resilience, and history, one that would uncover records, stories, and connections that had been waiting to be rediscovered. 

One of the things I appreciate most about the St. Helena Parish Clerk's Office is its commitment to preserving these historic records and the friendly and helpful staff.  They will guide you to the records like a tour guide at a museum. Walking into the records vault is like stepping back in time. Shelves lined with original record books and files have been carefully maintained for generations. Many of the documents I use today are the very same records created by the clerks who served the parish more than 150 years ago. I expained to her that in many cases this the first time that some of the records have been looked at since the first day they was filed away. 

I can still recall our first research trip together to the St. Helena Parish Clerk's Office. I wanted Dr. McGuire to experience more than simply finding names in an index. I wanted her to see her ancestors names recorded in the marriage index books, leading us to the original marriage certificates. There is something empowering about reading documents your ancestors signed with their own hands, or in some cases, made their mark with an "X." It creates a connection to the past that cannot be explained until you experience it for yourself. The look on her face said it all. She expressed how happy and pleased she was to discover the records. It was one of those moments that reminds me why I love genealogy. 

Dr. Saundra Yancy McGuire
Photo Credit: Dr. Antoinette Harrell

The process required us to pull old record files from the vault. The young man working in the office had not yet learned how to retrieve records from the vault. I asked him if I could show him where the files were kept, and he gladly agreed. I invited Dr. McGuire to accompany us into the vault. She was surprised to see that the records were still carefully organized and preserved by the St. Helena Parish Clerk's Office.They resembled the rows of files you might see in a sheriff's office in an old Western movie. The vault itself has the appearance of the late 1800s, preserving not only the records but also a sense of history. 

We carried the files back to the table where we were working. I explained what to look for and reminded her that every record deserves to be read carefully because you never know what valuable information it may contain. As she searched through the records, she found the marriage certificate of Robert and Effie. Her excitement was unmistakable. She paused for a moment, carefully reading the document that recorded the marriage of her ancestors. It was more than a certificate—it was a tangible piece of her family's history. Watching her hold that document and reflect on the lives of those who came before her was a reminder that genealogy is about much more than names and dates. It is about reconnecting families with their stories.

Dr. Saundra Yancy McGuire, a retired Professor Emerita of Chemistry and internationally recognized authority on learning strategies, has embarked on a new kind of scientific study. This time, her laboratory is the courthouse, the archives, and the records vault. Together, we are exploring the chemistry of genealogy—discovering how names, documents, places, and generations bond together to reveal the remarkable story of her family.

Robert E. Yancy, Sr. and Effie Jane Gordon 
Marriage Certificate
St. Helena Parish Clerk's Office