Alex Haley Family

Today, we remember the author, writer, and U.S. Coast Guard veteran who made historical strides. Happy birthday! You will never be forgotten.

Alexander Murray Palmer Haley (August 11, 1921)

“Find the good—and praise it.” —Alex Haley

If you’d like to learn more about Alex Haley, you will find links that may be helpful. Please find some of them below.

https://news.va.gov/98678/america250-coast-guard-veteran-alex-haley/

Listen to one of Alex Haley’s interviews:
https://youtu.be/zSd7QYXAVoc

Visit Alex Haley’s official website. Interviews and information about various topics can be found on the website.
https://alexhaley.com

Read his biography.
https://alexhaley.com/biography/

Find out more about the Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival via https://www.facebook.com/KuntaKinteFest/. It is still held in Annapolis, Maryland.

Alex Haley was the first U.S. Coast Guard’s first Chief Journalist. Learn more about USCGC ALEX HALEY (WMEC 39)

https://www.pacificarea.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Cutters/cgcAlexHaley/

Thank you for stopping by!

https://www2.archivists.org/recipients/2024/diversity-award-christopher-e-haley

Diversity Award: Christopher E. Haley | Society of American Archivists Society of American Archivists

Freed people told their stories through the Federal Writers’ Project.

We remember Uncle Billy McCrea of Jasper, Texas, and all formerly enslaved people. You can hear interviews via the Library of Congress.
Visit https://www.loc.gov/collections/voices-remembering-slavery/about-this-collection/ to hear various recordings.

“The recordings of former slaves in Voices Remembering Slavery: Freed People Tell Their Stories took place between 1932 and 1975 in nine states. Twenty-two interviewees discuss how they felt about slavery, slaveholders, coercion of slaves, their families, and freedom. Several individuals sing songs, many of which were learned during the time of their enslavement. It is important to note that all of the interviewees spoke sixty or more years after the end of their enslavement, and it is their full lives that are reflected in these recordings. The individuals documented in this presentation have much to say about living as African Americans from the 1870s to the 1930s, and beyond.”

The Birth of Juneteenth; Voices of the Enslaved is another enlightening resource:

https://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2020/06/the-birth-of-juneteenth-voices-of-the-enslaved/

The Birth of Juneteenth; Voices of the Enslaved | Timeless Some of the origins of Juneteenth can be traced to the front porch of a plantation house in Limestone County, Texas, where a slaveowner told his 150 enslaved workers that they were free on June 19, 1865.

Oh Mr. Gossett, as an actor and as a major figue in our story, you were always family and an inspiration to me.

Louis Gossett Jr., commanding actor of TV and film, dies at 87 He won an Oscar playing a Marine drill instructor in “An Officer and a Gentleman” and an Emmy as a wise old enslaved person in the groundbreaking miniseries “Roots.”

My cousin Chris Haley and I had the privilege of accepting an award from Museum of Appalachia honoring Alex Haley as a 'Hero of Southern Appalachia'.

Museum of Appalachia honors 'Roots' author Alex Haley: 'He was God's storyteller' Former Tennessee governor and U.S. senator Lamar Alexander presented the award to the late author's family, represented by Chris and Bill Haley.

Running into genealogy roadblocks? Get unstuck with the help of this free national virtual event.

From Dead Ends to Discoveries: Overcoming Roadblocks in Genealogy Research Hear tips to unravel parentage mysteries, from DNA testing, historical document analysis, adoption record exploration, and more.

How will you honor Martin Luther King, Jr., this Monday? It’s not too late to be of service to your community. Try one of these simple ideas:

1) Take flowers to an older friend who is homebound or living in a long-term care facility.

2) Buy shelf-stable groceries and donate them to a local food pantry this week.

3) Email an elected official about a community issue that’s important to you.

4) Create small bags of essentials (sometimes called hygiene kits or “Blessing Bags”), featuring toiletries, snacks, first-aid items, or bus tokens to give to unhoused people whom you meet.

What are your ideas for celebrating “a day on, not a day off”? Tell us in the comments below.

In honor of the passing of Television Icon Norman Lear, we are proud to post this article from a 1980 issue of Jet Magazine which featured Lear and Alex Haley on their collaboration on Palmerstown. The short-lived TV series was based on childhood stories of Uncle Alex'. The family name by which nieces and nephews called him was Uncle Palmer. He co-wrote some of the first season's episodes. It is based around two nine-year-old boys, one black and white, who grow up as best friends during the Depression in a southern American town. Before he 'rocketed' to superstar status, Michael J. Fox was one of the series' main characters.

It was an honor for Anne Haley and myself to be amongst the 70 readers for an 18 hour durational reading of The Autobiogtaphy of Malcolm X at The Met Opera in advance of the Nov. 3rd Opera - X: The life and times of Malcolm X, and in celebration of the legacy of both Malcolm X and my grandfather, Alex Haley. Find The Good and Praise It! ~ Bill Haley

The Met Opera Puts On a Malcolm X Marathon Ahead of its new production of Anthony Davis’s “X,” the house hosted a starry, 18-hour reading of Malcolm X’s autobiography.

As you might already know, Alex Haley was a man who was often in the company of friends, fans, and sometimes, in quieter moments, with family. Here are a few pictures of the author relaxing, enjoying, and listening.

LeVar Burton, who played Kunta Kinte in the original Roots, is still starting discussions and enlightening the nation.

Beloved reading advocate, writer, and television and film star LeVar Burton will serve as the 2023 Honorary Chair. We can't think of a better choice!
https://bannedbooksweek.org/levar-burton-to-lead-2023-banned-books-week-as-honorary-chair/

Build your knowledge and pave the way for successful searches at AAHGS' virtual conference.

Have you registered yet for our virtual conference next month? Our 44th conference will highlight methods of genealogy research and explore the history of ancestors in the United States and the Caribbean.

EARLY BIRD Registration is now open and closes on September 30th.
https://web.cvent.com/event/cb8ef1dc-1eb2-4537-9dff-f79f2d14a355/summary

The family of Alex Haley honors and celebrates what would have been his 102nd birthday today. 🙏🏾 We are blessed by the legacy of knowing our ROOTS, and proud of the transformational life assignment God gave him in inspiring millions of families all over the world to seek out and discover their own ROOTS. We can think of no better way to honor his birthday today and life than to have Alex Haley share the meaning of life in his own words. Enjoy.

Alex Haley on the Meaning of Life | 1991 Interview In this unedited footage from 1991, Dallas-based producer Jim Ruddy sits down with author Alex Haley, best known for the novel Roots: The Saga of an American...

Last weekend's festive Murray-Haley Family Reunion combined exploration, food, fun, and learning. Here, family members tour Alex Haley's childhood home at the Alex Haley Museum and Interpretive Center in Henning, TN.

Attendees made visits to Chicken George's resting place at Henning's Bethlehem Cemetery, the Delta Heritage Center and Tina Turner Museum in Brownsville, Henning's New Hope CME Church, and sites in historic Memphis.

Tours, family history presentations, a live auction, family games, music, and more made this "the most significant family reunion conducted since 1982," remarked Wayne Murray, one of the event's chief organizers. Give all these hardworking family members a pat on the back for keeping the legacy alive.

Photos courtesy of The Voice newspaper, Ripley, TN

Surprise! Even Alex Haley once indulged in Barbiemania, much to his daughter’s delight. Nearly 50 years ago, he wrote this charming response to my plans for a doll wedding. Dad asked just the right questions to send a child’s imagination soaring. – CHD

Do you remember when you first saw Roots? What makes it relevent today?

How 'Roots' made television history and changed American culture | CNN “Roots”: How the mini-series changed television and American culture

Who can resist an old-fashioned summer fish fry? Last week, West-coast Murray-Haley kinfolk brought Tennessee charm to San Diego at a fish-fry fundraiser featuring an avalanche of home-cooked foods.

Proceeds will benefit this weekend’s sensational Murray-Haley family reunion, to be held in the communities of Memphis, Henning, and Ripley, Tennessee. Reunion organizers are flying and driving in now to get the festivities rolling. We can feel the excitement already!

Find The Good and Praise It!

Happy Father's Day to all Dad's and Father figures - from the children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews of Alex Haley. 🙏🏾

Today's Memorial Day message is re-posted from the town of Ripley, a close-knit West Tennessee community near Henning, Alex Haley's boyhood home. Please join us in honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

There's still time to register for this July's fabulous Murray-Haley family reunion in West Tennessee. Come and enjoy educational tours, friendly faces, and family-oriented fun (even if you're not a Murray or Haley!). For details, write [email protected] and sign up by Thurs., June 1.

https://tri-statedefender.com/upcoming-haley-related-reunion-is-themed-the-story-behind-the-search/04/26/?fbclid=IwAR0OG2NrJFTy0MqRgaWrPV75Pne5jdovAQ_bpYF6LtgA-09S46T46MFcZ5E

Upcoming Haley-related reunion is themed ‘The Story Behind The Search’ - TSDMemphis.com by Clennon “Wayne” Murray and Brandon Murray — The highly anticipated and long-awaited Murray-Haley Family Reunion is set for July 20 through July 23 and will spread over Memphis, Henning and Ripley. The planning of the reunion event was initially discussed with the late William (Bill) Alexand...

Happy Birthday to Malcolm X, born May 19, 1925. This electrifying leader formed his philosophy during a turbulent, politically expressive period in American history. View his milestones by visiting “Timeline of Malcolm X’s Life,” developed by PBS’ American Experience. – CHD

Timeline of Malcolm X's Life | American Experience | PBS A timeline of Malcolm X's life.

Happy Mother's Day from our family to yours.

Although Alex Haley was known as affable and low-key, the history of race relations in America easily roused his anger. Haley disarmed his audiences and opened minds by sharing ugly truths with diplomatic precision. This 1968 letter to his wife, Julie, described a speech to wealthy teens and illustrated how Haley deftly pursued social change.

“At this high school, I got a troubling kind of feeling. In all the community is, I heard, only one Negro family… a white enclave. The parents’ concerns [were] that I wouldn’t say anything to upset their [children's] tender attitude.... I just put some lava into their caps.” AH, Chicago, 3/1/68. Photo by David Valdez.

-- CHD

Give a hand to Andrea for April’s intriguing posts on the Alex Haley Family page. She’s one of five cousins who take turns writing and sharing our virtual family rocking chair with readers. Throughout the year, you’ll also hear from Anne, Bill, Chris, and me -- Cynthia.

This May, we’ll delve into Alex Haley’s 1968 letters to his then-wife (and my mother), Julie. Enjoy never-before-seen excerpts that will give you new insight into Haley’s perspectives, politics, and ways of navigating his world.

Cynthia

Sunday Historical Fact

Do you know where slavery began in British North America? This informative PBS episode provided in the link below gives insight about Fort Monroe. It is located in Hampton, Virginia. The former military installation was previously known as Point Comfort.

The first documented African slaves in North America arrived at the location in 1619, but “during the Civil War, Fort Monroe was one of the first places enslaved people were granted freedom,” according to the U.S. Department of the Interior.

In 2021, Fort Monroe was recognized “as a Site of Memory Associated to the Slave Route by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).”

I learned about Jamestown growing up, but not Fort Monroe. I only know about it because I can now visit it often. In fact, it is one of my favorite places to go. This National Historic Landmark now includes a beach, museum and other enjoyable aspects that the public can enjoy.

Sources:

https://futureofamericaspast.com/season1-episode1

https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-department-applauds-unesco-designation-fort-monroe-slave-route-site-memory #:~:text=Fort%20Monroe%20is%20connected%20to,now%20part%20of%20Fort%20Monroe.

https://fortmonroe.org

Watch "Freedom's Fortress" — The Future of America's Past At Virginia’s Fort Monroe, we discover the place where slavery began in British North America—and where, during the Civil War, it began to unravel.

"Find the good and praise it." ~ Alex Haley

Against the odds, my grandfather achieved great things. Both of his parents were born enslaved. He served in the military and became a professor.

Visit: https://youtu.be/_PCMW2fSilU

Many people in my family celebrate his lineage by naming boys “Alex” or “Alexander.” My brother and son are included on that list. Preserve at least one great tradition in your family. Pass it on the next generation. What is something that makes your proud of your family? Celebrate it.

“Roots is not just a saga of my family. It is the symbolic saga of a people.”

— Alex Haley

My mother, Lois Ann Haley, later married twice in her life. Since she is a half sibling of the Haley boys (Alex, George and Julius) through Simon, I have been connecting more dots about their father and his family tree. My grandfather’s mother, Queen, married Alex Haley. I started reading more about Alex Haley since my mom mentioned more to me about Queen. I’ve known about her father, Col. James Jackson III, too.

I recently started reading more about William Harwell Baugh, the father of Queen’s husband, Alex Haley. I found it interesting that Queen and her husband had similar backgrounds. Alex Haley’s father was supposedly an overseer. Even Queen and Alex Haley’s mothers had similar Native American and Black backgrounds, from what I compared. But one thing that struck me as odd on WikiTree was the mention of William being listed as Sabrina’s husband, especially since he was an overseer of enslaved people. I reached out to one of the managers of the WiliTree entry who was listed as a relative of William to ask about this point.

Slavery is a very touchy topic, but I remain interested in understanding the truth about my heritage and people who came before me. I’ve learned the value of digging deeper, reading census records, speaking to other people and cross- referencing. I’m untangling small details and it’s complex. I can only imagine how much Uncle Alex had to sort without the benefit of today’s technology that offers starting points to ask questions. He had to take trips to see people who could thread the oral tradition until it connected with records.

Sharing on this page will soon come to a close for me, but I’ll continue the journey of learning more about my mom’s family.

Please consider the empowering nature of knowing our ancestral connections. Studying an unfortunate historical period (slavery) helps me to feel that my dreams are within reach. If people were able to produce excellence despite their plight, I feel compelled to push forward, too. With that in mind, I try to celebrate resilience and honor my ancestors.