Black Family History​
Research is my passion.

Informed by Black history, documentary and lived experiences whose work is deeply influenced by communication and oral history theory and practice, it is my pleasure to work with you. The awe I share with community after uncovering, reconnecting and documenting family histories, is priceless.

​I believe, our family stories of perseverance and fortitude throughout The Great Migration, American Wars, Reconstruction, Emancipation, Slavery, Middle Passage and Africa, supports our present and guides our future.

​In honor of our ancestors, may we all reconnect to our roots. - Lisa Hazell

Top reasons to work with me:

1. Over 20 years of experience in Black Family History research. My geographic specialities include Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia and Harlem, NYC.
2. Professional research in all of the major types of sources covering the time periods from the Colonial, American Revolution, Civil War, Reconstruction, Great Migration, Harlem Renaissance eras to present day.
3. Conducted research trips to North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia and abroad in Ghana, West Africa in Accra, Kumasi and Elmina; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; London, England; Brussels, Belgium and Tuscany, Italy.
4. Professional efficiency utilizing online sources which dramatically reduces the hours needed to answer your questions. In some cases your question can be answered by online sources and online information.
5. Maintain professional standards for privacy and sharing information.
6. access to archives; record repositories.
7. lack of time; how to start or proceed.

My top 3 core family history research values:

• Respect. Advocating for a more collaborative practice of documentary, oral history and genealogy work that values all human experiences and promotes greater trust, equity and inclusion for Black life in historical records.
• Quality. Promoting Best Practices that guide the creation, curation, preservation, dissemination, and interpretation of Black life and family histories.
• Sustainability. To embrace and promote fields and organizations working to ensure archives, holdings and collections of Black life, family history and culture are valued and accessible. 

My research focus:

• Geographic Specialty: DC; MD; VA, NY. Harlem, NYC; St. Mary's County, MD; Westmoreland County, VA.​​

• Archival Repositories: ​National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) ; Library of Congress (LOC) Local History and Genealogy Reading Room.

• Projects: Black Family History: Colonial, American Revolution, Civil War, Reconstruction, Great Migration eras. Biographical Story; Historical Fiction. Family History Legacy Planning.

My research is guided by 5 equally important results:

• Understanding goals.
• Learning about what is already known.
• Communicating the project process.
• Outlining a multi-generational family history story.
• Producing a personalized plan. 

We can help each other reach our family history research goals. 

​We all have questions when it comes to family history. From how to maximize your ancestral heritage to knowing the appropriate documentation strategy based on your goals—it can be a lot to think about. Joining a genealogy club can help you feel more confident about reaching your goals.

​My research approach to family history research, documentation and preservation is uniquely inspirational and motivational.