The Freedmen’s Bureau: African American Genealogy Workshop

Learn through digital collection of records!

Join us for this year’s final class of African American genealogy workshops with Mobile African American Genealogical & Historical Society President Mary Jones-Fitts. This session will focus on how to use Freedmen’s Bureau records to research your African American ancestors.

Registration is required to participate in this program in-person or on Zoom. To register, please email Ms. Theris-Boone at etheris@mplonline.org and indicate if you would like to attend in-person or on Zoom. You may also call (251) 494-2172 for more information.

Finding Freedmen in Land Records: African American Genealogy Workshop

Using land records to learn your history!

Join us with professional genealogist and Mobile African American Genealogical & Historical Society President Mary Jones-Fitts for a class on how to use land records to research freedmen in your family tree. This workshop is presented in-person as well as virtually via Zoom, and registration is required.

Registration is required to participate in this program in-person or on Zoom. To register, please email Ms. Theris-Boone at etheris@mplonline.org and indicate if you would like to attend in-person or on Zoom. You may also call (251) 494-2172 for more information.

Southern Claims Commission: African American Genealogy Workshop

Learn more about your history!

The Southern Claims Commission was created in 1871 to receive and consider compensation claims made by Southern Unionist citizens. Join us with Mobile African American Genealogical & Historical Society President Mary Jones-Fitts for a genealogy workshop on how to use these records to learn about your African American ancestors.

Registration is required to participate in this program in-person or on Zoom. To register, please email Ms. Theris-Boone at etheris@mplonline.org and indicate if you would like to attend in-person or on Zoom. You may also call (251) 494-2172 for more information.

Plantation Papers and Business Records: African American Genealogy Workshop

To do the research is one thing, but to discover the information is just as important!

Join us with professional genealogist and Mobile African American Genealogical & Historical Society President Mary Jones-Fitts for an in-depth genealogy workshop on using plantation and business records to research your African American ancestors.

In recognition of Juneteenth, there will be a special presentation for in-person attendees following the workshop, from 12:30 – 1:30, “The Legends of Africatown,” by Robert Battles Sr., 1st Congressional District Representative of the Black Heritage Council. Mr. Battles will speak on the history of the Clotilda and its significance to Africatown, and to many of its residents who have family connections to the enslaved persons transported from West Africa to Mobile in the late 19th century. This talk will highlight the importance of maintaining a legacy for Mobilians of all backgrounds. Light refreshments will be served.

Registration is required to participate in this program in-person or on Zoom. To register, please email Ms. Theris-Boone at etheris@mplonline.org and indicate if you would like to attend in-person or on Zoom. You may also call (251) 494-2172 for more information.

Beginning Genealogy: Finding Your African American Ancestors

Finding your history is beyond important.

We all need a refresher from time to time. Whether you’re just getting started or are a seasoned searcher, join us with Mobile African American Genealogical & Historical Society President Mary Jones-Fitts as she takes us back to the basics in researching your African American ancestors. Attendance is available in-person as well as virtually via Zoom and Facebook Live, and registration is required.

Registration is required to participate in this program in-person or on Zoom. To register, please email Ms. Theris-Boone at etheris@mplonline.org and indicate if you would like to attend in-person or on Zoom. You may also call (251) 494-2172 for more information.

Spring Gardening with the Mobile County Master Gardeners

Breathe life into your garden!

Please join us for a Gardening 101 lecture with Master Gardener Bill Fink. Whether you are a beginner gardener or a pro this program is sure to offer some helpful tips. This event is part of our Spring Gardening Lecture Series that will run through May and is in partnership with the Mobile County Master Gardeners.

For more information, please email Sheryl Somathilake at sheryls@mplonline.org or call (251) 340-8555.

Financial Literacy for Teens

 To make an impact, develop and grow, and be part of an inclusive culture where everyone is valued. -PNC Bank Mission Statement.

PNC bank wealth management representative will inform teens about long term and short term savings, credit use among other wealth management information.

Registration is recommended! To register, please use this form: https://forms.office.com/r/3MjjSRVtK7.

For more information or additional way to register, please email Ms. Jennifer jthomas2@mplonline.org or call the fiction desk at 251-340-8565.

Down the Bay: Archaeology and Oral History Panel Discussion

Learn about Mobile Bay History!

For the past few years, archaeologists and oral historians from the University of South Alabama have been recording the history of Down the Bay, the neighborhood south of Government Street. Please join us in Bernheim Hall to learn the latest updates on the ongoing work for the Down the Bay Oral History Project and the I-10 Mobile River Bridge Archaeology Project.

For more information about the archaeological work and the Down the Bay Oral History Project, please click this link: https://www.southalabama.edu/org/archaeology/i-10-archaeology-project.html.

You can also visit Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USAarchaeology/ and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/usaarchaeology/.

For more information on the event held at Ben May Main Library, please email Adrienne McSwain amcswain@mplonline.org or call 251-494-2298.

Community Seed Swap

Calling all garden enthusiasts, green thumbs, and nature lovers!

Get ready to dig into a day of growth, sharing, and community spirit at our upcoming Community Seed Swap Event. Embark on a journey of biodiversity as we come together to exchange seeds, stories, and gardening tips. Bring your favorite seeds, whether they’re heirlooms, rare finds, prepackaged, or simply your garden favorites, and swap them with fellow plant enthusiasts. Discover new varieties and connect with like-minded individuals who share your passion for cultivating life from the soil.

*The rules for the swapping of heirloom seeds can be as follows:

1. Must label seed packs with information on the variety, year collected, and collected by whom.

2. Each pack must contain at least 10 seeds.

3. Brief planting and care instructions.

For more information, please email Ashley McKeithen at amckeithen@mplonline.org or call 251-340-8555.