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Draft:Society of the First African Families of English America

  • Comment: Zero indication of notability, not one of the sources cited counts towards WP:GNG. Most of them don't even mention 'Society of the First African Families of English America', and the ones that do are primary. DoubleGrazing (talk) 08:55, 12 January 2024 (UTC)
  • Comment: Wikipedia subjects need in-depth coverage (full-length articles, not just passing mentions) in usually at least 3 reliable sources that are not written by or affiliated with the subject. ~WikiOriginal-9~ (talk) 08:00, 19 November 2023 (UTC)

The Society of the First African Families of English America (SOFAFEA)[1] is a 501(c)(3) non-profit lineage-based[2] membership service organization[3] that promotes education and patriotism. The society provides an understanding of how the first African families of English America helped to shape American history, and how their contributions and that of their descendants helped to shape democratic principles around the world through educational programming, publications, and historic preservation of the artifacts and landmarks from the colonial period to present day.

The organization's membership is limited to direct lineal descendant (using standards generally accepted in the genealogical community)[4] from an ancestor who was of African descent who lived in English America before March 5, 1770, the date of the Boston Massacre[5] and the death of Crispus Attucks[6] the first patriot casualty of the American Revolution[7] and/or to those who participated in the founding of the United States of America by serving in the military during the Revolutionary War or contributed to the war cause. Membership to the Society also includes descendants of an individual who lived in that part of French or Spanish North America and later became part of English America who meet all the eligibility requirements.

Founding edit

The Society of the First African Families of English America was founded on October 11, 2019, in College Park, Maryland during the national commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first documented Africans brought to English America. Americans of African descent have always felt a strong desire to learn about their ancestors and their role in the founding of America. At the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society’s 40th Annual themed conference, 400 Years of Black History: The Struggles, Challenges and Perseverance, SOFAFEA’s President General was the keynote speaker and established the need and objectives of the lineage society.

Those objectives are: charitable, patriotic, historical, genealogical, and educational, and include those intended or designed to perpetuate the memory of the first African families of English America who, by their services or sacrifices during the founding of English America, helped to achieve the greatness of the American people; to unite and promote fellowship among their descendants; to inspire descendants and the community at large with a more profound reverence for the principles of the government founded by their forefathers; encourage historical research in relation to the First African Families of English America; and to acquire and preserve the records of the individual services and contributions of the First African Families of English America, as well as documents, relics, and landmarks.

Structure edit

The governance of the Society of the First African Families of English America is made up of eleven national officers, 10 vice presidents that preside over separate geographical regions. The officers meet at least four times during the year to discuss business pertaining to the society, including an annual meeting/conference in the spring of each year.[8]

Eligibility edit

Membership in the SOFAFEA today is open to all regardless of race, gender, creed, religion or national origin, who can prove lineal bloodline to an ancestor who was of African descent who lived in English America before March 5, 1770, and/or participated in the founding of the United States of America by serving in the military during the Revolutionary War or contributed to the war cause. Membership to the Society also includes descendants of an individual who lived in that part of French or Spanish North America and later became part of English America who meet the eligibility requirements of African ancestry. Collateral descent is not acceptable.[9][10]

Activities edit

The Society offers patriotic, historical, and educational activities for its members and the public, including but not limited to: citizen awards given to individuals for their work to continue the society’s mission and honor the contributions of colonial Americans of African descent; markers and wreaths at the graves of Forgotten Patriots and other colonial Americans of African descent; and educational and military awards given to individuals and groups for their academic or service performance honoring the contributions of colonial Americans of African descent. The society also publishes annually the Journal of the Society of the First African Families of English America.[11][12]

Forgotten Patriots Project edit

The Society of the First African Families of English America's Forgotten Patriots[13] project seeks to enrich the historical narrative by reevaluating, recontextualizing, and honoring these often-marginalized figures, providing a deeper appreciation of their contributions to our shared heritage. The project aims to unearth the untold stories of Americans of African and Indigenous descent who played crucial, yet often overlooked, roles in shaping our nation's history. Through extensive research, this project will shed light on the forgotten heroes and uncelebrated contributors to our country's founding and development. By highlighting their contributions, we hope to honor their legacy and enrich our collective understanding of the diverse tapestry of American history, and to connect present day descendants to their Forgotten Patriots.[14]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Family Search, Latter Day Saints, African American Socities
  2. ^ "Society of the First African Families of English America - GuideStar Profile".
  3. ^ Charles, Jeffrey A. (1993). Service Clubs in American Society: Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 978-0-252-02015-5.
  4. ^ Board for Certification of Genealogists
  5. ^ Library of Congress: Boston Massacre
  6. ^ National Park Service: Life of Crispus Attucks
  7. ^ Library of Congress, Revolutionary War Overview
  8. ^ National Bylaws of the Society of the First African Families of English America, page 6.
  9. ^ How to Join
  10. ^ Sons and Daughters of the U.S. Middle Passage: Submitting a successful Application to SOFAFEA
  11. ^ Journal of the Society of the First African Families of English America
  12. ^ BRADLC Museum and Books
  13. ^ Daughters of the American Revolution, Forgotten Patriots – African American and American Indian Patriots in the Revolutionary War: A Guide to Service, Sources, and Studies
  14. ^ Society of the First African Families of English America’s Forgotten Patriots project

External links edit

Official Web Site

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