City, Partners to Hold Third Round of Community Engagement Genealogy Workshops in June

5/29/2025

Pre-registration for Interested Participants is Now Open

The City of Tulsa, in collaboration with Intermountain Forensics and the Greenwood Cultural Center, will host the third round of Community Engagement Genealogy Workshops from June 20 to June 22, 2025, at the 36th Street North Event Center, 1125 E. 36th St. N.

Residents who are interested in participating in one of the workshops are asked to fill out pre-registration information at www.greenwoodculturalcenter.org/genealogy-workshop. Friday and Saturday’s workshops will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with an optional workday on Sunday (time TBD). Space in each workshop is limited, so residents are asked to register early. Due to the private nature of genetic genealogy, each workshop is limited to registered participants only.

In April's genealogy workshop, 39 attendees were walked through the identification process for C.L. Daniel - the first Tulsa Race Massacre victim identified through the City's 1921 Graves Investigation - and how DNA was used to confirm findings. This education included walking through the different types of DNA-autosomal, mitochondrial, y- chromosome and how people inherit what and from whom. One of the genealogists from Intermountain Forencis walked through the story of her family.

During the June workshop, participants will have access to experienced genealogists who will guide them through the fundamentals of genealogical research, including:
• Tools and resources for effective family tree research, including free access to Ancestry Institution courtesy of Ancestry.com
• Guidance on when and how to expand your family tree
• Access to research materials and resources for continued learning

Workshops are part of the City's goal to increase public awareness and empower community members, especially those in Greenwood and North Tulsa - and 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre descendants - to explore their own genealogies, connecting them with resources and experts to uncover family histories. The work is made possible by a $1 million Emmett Till Cold Case Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, focusing on forensic genetic genealogy to identify potential victims. In addition to genetic genealogy workshops being held as part of the grant, the Tulsa Police Department is participating in training sessions on genetic genealogy, helping them in their work to better solve cold cases. The grant also supports an exhibit at the Greenwood Cultural Center, with additional details to follow as they become available.

For more information on the Community Engagement Genealogy Project, visit: www.cityoftulsa.org/genealogyproject