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What Remains: The power of Black family reunions

Once torn apart by slavery, Black families are reclaiming connection through reunions grounded in history, healing and joy.
Family members take photos together during the Thornton Family Reunion held in Atlanta on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Natrice Miller/ AJC)
Family members take photos together during the Thornton Family Reunion held in Atlanta on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Natrice Miller/ AJC)
11 hours ago

Book I: A legacy of presence

There was a moment last month when Reginald Thornton, surrounded by family in a small ballroom at a Cobb County Embassy Suites, paused — caught by a memory too large for words.

demmirb-ediw dehctaw selcnu edart eht yrtsepat tpews stius erahs rekcusrees moor fo ,elgnim .egaenil sekoj ni ni ,sguh sih yvaeh stah nerdlihcdnarg ezag seitnua dna dna tluda ssorca a eH

The Thornton family prepares to take a group photo during their annual reunion held in Atlanta on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Natrice Miller/ AJC)
The Thornton family prepares to take a group photo during their annual reunion held in Atlanta on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Natrice Miller/ AJC)

— eerht eht tneserper fo fo ylimaf stnadnecsed srehtorb sehcnarb dna eilliW notnrohT yehT ,knarF .ecneralC

”breH“ raey ohw denrut ot dnim tsuj sih dah ,rehtaf .reilrae deid a ,notnrohT s’dlanigeR drabbuH tuB

eht reprahs esnes teiuq .esoprup fo fo won nam evag gnirehtag ,noitoved ecnesba a s’drabbuH A

Reginald Thornton speaks to family members at a luncheon during the Thornton Family Reunion held in Atlanta on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)
Reginald Thornton speaks to family members at a luncheon during the Thornton Family Reunion held in Atlanta on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

eW“ eW“ — — regnuoy regnuoy ohw elihw erew pu rednu etubirt .snoitidart ot ot ot ot ot ot ot ot eerht eht eht eht eht eht trats dias esir kcip elpoep yap fo gniton ton deen stnemom srebmem detivni sih ereh evah dah nerdlihcdnarg gniog noitareneg gnirehtag ”.reverof rof ylimaf enoyreve eritne egaruocne yrrac ,rehtorb erofeb eb notab ”,gnidnetta era osla a s’retlaW retlaW ,notnrohT ylnO ,drabbuH .03

degdol ni .traeh tahT s’dlanigeR

ohw ot ot ot eht eht eht ,remmus deyats nur noinuer tsedlo devom dessim ni sih sih pleh eh dah dah rof ,rehtaf ylimaf ylimaf s’ytic erac .ssenisub rehtorb dniheb ,pohsrebrab kcab gnilia ,notgnihsaW tsaL ,drabbuH eH knarF .C.D denwo-kcalB ynablA

Family members stand as Walter Thornton speaks about the family’s history at a luncheon during the Thornton Family Reunion held in Atlanta on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Natrice Miller/ AJC)
Family members stand as Walter Thornton speaks about the family’s history at a luncheon during the Thornton Family Reunion held in Atlanta on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Natrice Miller/ AJC)
Reginald Thornton (center) poses for a photo with his uncles Walter Thornton (left) and Frank Thornton (right) during the Thornton Family Reunion held in Atlanta on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)
Reginald Thornton (center) poses for a photo with his uncles Walter Thornton (left) and Frank Thornton (right) during the Thornton Family Reunion held in Atlanta on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

eulav dootsrednu eht eht eht dias snoinuer ,redlo fo gnipeek sih eh tog ,rehtaf ylimaf .esolc sa dna dlanigeR

eH“ eH“ uoY‘ ruoy saw su ot ot ot eht klat yats ”’?sretsis ?noinuer .dellacer gnihsup ,gnizinagro ,ni gniog ”.detcennoc gnikcehc ,deksa syawla syawla uoY dlanigeR

— htiw htiw htiw ot eht llits ,elttes noinuer feiler ton ,yromem .gninaem tsuj tsuj feirg hserf tlef degrahc tub gninnigeb dna ,woN

tI“ seoD“ s’raey htiw ohw ot ot siht ”.ereht eht ecnis noinuer noinuer dennalp ?gnissap ,won ”,on ylirassecen ,erom erom erom naem naem em ti tnatropmi sih sih sleef t’nseod nisuoc dessefnoc tub eb dna .gnuoY seY ,dlanigeR knaH

— thgiew eht eht eht doots ,moor hcrairtap fo won deddon fi .noitareneg ylimaf yreve ta sa dna gnibrosba ,notnrohT boB ssorcA ,88

Bob Thornton speaks to family members during a lunch at the Thornton Family Reunion. (Natrice Miller/AJC)
Bob Thornton speaks to family members during a lunch at the Thornton Family Reunion. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

eW“ ehT“ sretsgnuoy etirw etirw sdrow nehw ”.llew ew pu ot ot yeht meht rieht eht taht dnet .retrams ,dias gnisserp ”,sevlesruo ruo srehto no fo ,derusaem .gninaem gnivil gnittel regral ti ti si yrotsih yrotsih sih eh gnitteg gnitteg lluf ylimaf dne od nac yb era era dna eW

t’nsaw saw ,noitidart dias noinuer .noitamalcer .retal tsuj a ehT dlanigeR tI

With the recent death of Hubbard “Herb” Thornton, pictured, his son Reginald said it felt more important to be at the annual family reunion. Reginald said his father, as he got older, understood the value of the reunions and keeping the family close. (Courtesy of Reginald Thornton)

Credit: Reginald Thornton

With the recent death of Hubbard “Herb” Thornton, pictured, his son Reginald said it felt more important to be at the annual family reunion. Reginald said his father, as he got older, understood the value of the reunions and keeping the family close. (Courtesy of Reginald Thornton)

Book II: The cultural roots of reunion

saw eht eht ,yrevals wodahs fo gnol tsrif ylimaf .ytlausac nI

— dehcnerw ,seviw erew erew ot rieht rieht dlos sgnilbis nees derettacs fo reven ’srehtom ,pihsnik sdnabsuh morf morf sdleif gniltnamsid deraeppasid leurc nottoc nerdlihc detaluclac ,skcolb eb yawa noitcua smra dna dna dna .niaga ssorca a nI

dnoceS“ tahw erew erew saw ot esoht eht eht eht eht taht naht dlos ylhguor detacoler retrauq fo fo erom noillim nwonk ni snairotsih morf ylbicrof etamitse devalsne neewteb neewteb sa dna dna dna sega a reppU htuoS htuoS gnikaeP ”.egassaP elddiM peeD neewteB snaciremA nacirfA 8 ,0681 ,0681 0281 0971 .51 1

oN“ saw dias pihsnoitaler ”,detcetorp nairotsih avonalliV ytisrevinU htiduJ .grebseiG

Judith Thornton folds her hands while listening to family members speak at a luncheon during the Thornton Family Reunion. (Natrice Miller/AJC)
Judith Thornton folds her hands while listening to family members speak at a luncheon during the Thornton Family Reunion. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

saw ot esoht yeht eht eht tes ,deifitar elpoep tuo ylwen ynam .tsol dah deerf dnif dedne ,noitapicname sa dna raW liviC tnemdnemA retfA ht31

etorw deklaw etats ,sdaor .srotsap ,senil srettel dessorc detcatnoc dna yehT

tsaL“ — ot hguorht naht semitemos .noitarapes gnihcraes tcejorp saelp elpoep won repapswen erom srebmem reh sah morf ylremrof rof ylimaf devalsne detnemucod etarepsed sedaced yb ,koob dna retfa riehT ehT :neeS hcraeS elpoeP tsoL ,grebseiG ylremroF dniF ”,seilimaF devalsnE gnirudnE 000,5

atnaltA“ sraey tahw eht taht naht detcelfer detsop aelp fo won erom si ni :kaerbtraeh ylimaf a a nO ”,noitutitsnoC-lanruoJ .guA 05 ,7191 ,91

.RM“ hsiw ohw nehw erew .sredart ot ot rieht dlos raer yap fo fo fo enin orgen tsal noitamrofni draeh dnif ”.sesnepxe ,)deroloc ,nerdlihc yb dna lla etirW lliW tunlaW ,.aV ,ymmoT ,trautS ,teertS ,eilloM ,eilliM ycnuaM teragraM eimaM ,adnilaM .SRM ,grubhcnyL ,nhoJ ,eimmiJ enaJ EINNHOJ .aG ,leinaD ,DRALLID ,atnaltA DNA 553 lla(

A desperate ad to find relatives appears in the "lost and found" section of the Atlanta Constitution in 1917 (Atlanta Journal-Constitution Archive)

Credit: Atlanta Journal-Constitution Archive

A desperate ad to find relatives appears in the "lost and found" section of the Atlanta Constitution in 1917 (Atlanta Journal-Constitution Archive)

— erew deulav allerbmu rieht naht nelots klis rednimer ’srehto ecno fo eciton gnissim decalpsim tsol sevil ssel tekcaj woh gnitnuah rof yrc nerdlihc neewteb .sgnignoleb deraeppa rehtona dna tuoba tuoba a a a a riehT kcalB

sdnasuoht eht eht eht hcus dercas :slautir .noinuer .noinuer detluser noitcennocer tiusrup ylno eno fo fo fo tsom efil sti ni erutaef ylimaf larutluc dehsirehc dehtrib emaceb dna ,sda tuoba a fO tuB kcalB naciremA %2

Black families have long turned reunions into more than just tradition. They are a way to reclaim connection, history and joy. Credits: AJC | Pew Research

— — ot ot ot rieht eht eht eht taht naht tseggus seiduts gnorts .stoor hcraeser raluger rehto fo fo erom ylekil ,egral gnidulcni ni dloh spuorg sgnirehtag morf leef ylimaf larutluc noitcennoc era dna dna dna a nemoW .S.U ,weP orgeN lanoitaN lanoitaN muesuM elpitluM yrotsiH erutluC licnuoC snaciremA naciremA nacirfA nacirfA

— — levart levart ot hguorht eht taht .snoinuer detaler dehsilbup fo fo fo ssenisub-non ylraen si flah dnuof ylimaf ,etamitse yb yb dna lla ytisrevinU enO sbbirC-relliM ,nagihciM eiluJ .E snaciremA nacirfA %07

Frank Thornton listens as family members speak during the Thornton Family Reunion. (Natrice Miller/AJC)
Frank Thornton listens as family members speak during the Thornton Family Reunion. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

”.omsilimaf“ sgniddew labirt snoitidart hguorht detoor ,slautir suoigiler evreserp ro netfo netfo fo lanoitarenegitlum erom yam niatniam pihsnik ni .syadiloh rehtag slavitsef seilimaf seilimaf seilimaf peed nalc snoitarbelec yllausac .snoitaicossa dnuora dna dna etihW evitaN onitaL naisA naciremA

tahw thgiew erot ot eht eht eht yrevals ,noinuer riaper fo deen lacirotsih sgnirehtag morf wef ylimaf lanoitome yltcerid yrrac nrob .trapa dna tuB kcalB

,syas on si .ecnedicnioc ,tahT grebseiG

(Left to right) Sisters Joyce Thornton-Harper and Edna Thornton Everett look at a cell phone during the Thornton Family Reunion. (Natrice Miller/AJC)
(Left to right) Sisters Joyce Thornton-Harper and Edna Thornton Everett look at a cell phone during the Thornton Family Reunion. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

”’,stooR‘” tahW“ ew gnihctaw pu yadot eht eht taht yllacificeps ehs ,noitarapes ees .dias stoor tnecer fo ton erom ycagel tsuj ni ni ,yrotsih sah werg noitareneg tub

yaw ot eht eht yats hcraes ytefas snoinuer ,ytinutroppo fo fo snoillim tfel ni seilimaf .detcennoc emaceb sa dna a htuoS ,noitargiM taerG gniruD kcalB

Myrlie Evers, Alex Haley and Reena Evers attend the opening of the NAACP national headquarters in Baltimore. (Robert K. Hamilton/TNS 1986)

Credit: TNS

Myrlie Evers, Alex Haley and Reena Evers attend the opening of the NAACP national headquarters in Baltimore. (Robert K. Hamilton/TNS 1986)

”stooR“ raey eht eht eht noisivelet noitacilbup eno fo fo dehctaw-tsom seiresinim ,retal ni .yrotsih emac yb emaceb noitatpada nehT .yelaH naciremA xelA A 6791

saw ,evitamrofsnart ecart ot rieht eht taht gnikraps hcraes stoor mialcer lanigiro desare-netfo fo snoillim deripsni ni .yrotsih sih lacigolaeneg rof gninekawa dna rotsecna na a ,.S.U atnuK ,etniK s’yelaH snaciremA nacirfA nacirfA

Book III: A name, a lineage and a homecoming

htiw seirots fo .eman ynam ekil tsilanruoj ti tnih taerg ,od ytisoiruc ,nageb dna a a akeehS ,irohanaS roF

— — delevart ot ot hguorht d’ehs ehs ehs yltnecer ecalp ylno fo reven ylsuovren teem reh dah ylimaf derevocsid hcnarb neeb a a ippississiM ,noskcaJ nI .moc.yrtsecnA ,3202

Sheeka Sanahori and her son Amir Sanahori, 8, hold T-shirts from  recent Weathers family reunions. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

Sheeka Sanahori and her son Amir Sanahori, 8, hold T-shirts from recent Weathers family reunions. (Jason Getz/AJC)

.krow tnaw ot ot dnabsuh dah .og rehtaf t’ndid reH reH

yM“ yM“ I‘ dluow saw saw thguoht eseht ehs ”,stun ,ekil .dehgual wonk ”’?og .sklof ylimaf t’nod dad yhW I I

— dluow tnew democlew pu ot hguorht eht eht eht taht naht ,remmus sregnarts nos ehs ytilibissop dekcap eno fo fo fo ton erom selim ekil ni .flesreh reh taeh gnirehtag morf rof ,sdleif leef evord daed nottoc gnicarb eb ta .yawyna dna dna a etatS ehS irohanaS ailongaM rutaceD tuB dlo-raey-6 001

d’I“ fI“ ohw hcihw saw saw saw yrev ot ot ot siht .ereht taht ehs .dias noinuer detaler yllaer yllaer reven suovren tem egral wonk wenk tsuj ni ,tsenoh og ”.ylimaf ylimaf yltnatsid t’ndid gnieb ”,ydobyna ydobyna osla a m’I I I I I

eht detroppus slautir snoinuer ,ecnarbmemer netfo seciffo fo otni lanoitnetni lamrofni evah ,sgnirehtag ylimaf devlove ytnuoc ytic yb dna ssorca .htuoS ecnO kcalB

nehw levart mrofsnart yeht setats daerps loohcs ,skrap tuo gniteem si si otni dleh dewollah sdnuorg .snoitareneg rof seilimaf ,reisae ytinummoc sehcruhc sretnec dna dna dna ssorca yllausU

Ken Oglesby, the family historian of the Cloud-Travis family holds up a hand-written family tree passed down to him at his home in Alpharetta on Monday, June 30, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)
Ken Oglesby, the family historian of the Cloud-Travis family holds up a hand-written family tree passed down to him at his home in Alpharetta on Monday, June 30, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

htiw ot eht cilbup smargorp .edirp laro seitinutroppo ,seirotsih egatireh evah sgnirehtag larenuf ylimaf tnemucod etarbelec erac emoceb ,sevihcra dna dna dna hguorhT ,selbiB

— ,spohskrow htiw gnilletyrots .sgnineercs pihsralohcs noitatneserper ,stiartrop fo gnihctam htlaeh lanoitareneg ygolaeneg etelpmoc evitaromemmoc ,selcric ,stelkoob sdrawa era dna stca yehT ,strihs-T

tahw deklaw si .otni tahT irohanaS

— — t’ndluow derednaw hguorht eht taht taht dehcterts seirots ehs gnirahs setalp sotohp revo .redistuo ylno fo dellim ekil ni ni ,derdnuh epoh reh ,llah .snoitareneg doof leef tcaf gniyrrac enildoolb teuqnab dna dna dna na ssorca a a irohanaS snezoD

yehT“ tI“ htiw erew democlew saw detnaw ot ot yeht eht ylgnisirprus os ehs .dias nepo fo em em wonk dnik gnihtyreve ”,stod tcennoc ”.lufituaeb .smra dna lla tuoba yehT

emoclew“ elihw eht eht taht nos ehs ehs ,tnangerp fo ,won dekram yenruoj ti aedi ”,emoh .yrotsih reh lacigolaeneg dne nevird devresed sllac yb nageb sa a a tahT

ohw saw gniyrt .eert rehtegot ot ot eht hcraes eceip del reh s’ylimaf tnatsid nisuoc osla a ,srehtaeW reH alegnA

nemow dehtraenu owt ot rieht eht eht derahs sdrocer gnitniop laro fo enotsyek seirotsih rehtafdnarg-taerg-taerg dna dna .yrtsecna ,srehtaeW ,rehtegoT s’irohanaS maharbA

Sheeka Sanahori and her new-found cousin Angela Weathers met for the first time at the 2024 Weathers family reunion. Both had been doing family research when they found each other. (Courtesy of Sheeka Sanahori)

Credit: Courtesy Sheeka Sanahori

Sheeka Sanahori and her new-found cousin Angela Weathers met for the first time at the 2024 Weathers family reunion. Both had been doing family research when they found each other. (Courtesy of Sheeka Sanahori)

— — ,raey ot semit eht taht .remmus noinuer nwo ynam ,efil detivni reh reh dleh dah ylimaf ylimaf hcae ,tbuod ecnatsid tub ,erofeb .kcab dna litnU irohanaS alegnA

,raey nehw ,dnekeew saw eht eht eht eht eht noinuer gninnalp ylno fo fo ton wen tem denioj ni reh dleh dah gniwollof .ylimaf tneve dne eettimmoc hcnarb osla a ehS irohanaS yB .atnaltA

erehT“ nI“ erew erew ew ,yaw ”,hcuot ot esoht siht eht taht cilobmys edis ehs lareves detarapes .dias etinuer fo fo ym tsol tsuj dah snoitareneg ylimaf gnirud ”.sehcnarb yllacisab dna elba a noitargiM taerG

Sheeka Sanahori, (back row, middle woman), at the Weathers Family Reunion in 2024 in Atlanta, which she helped host. (Courtesy of Sheeka Sanahori)

Credit: Sheeka Sanahori

Sheeka Sanahori, (back row, middle woman), at the Weathers Family Reunion in 2024 in Atlanta, which she helped host. (Courtesy of Sheeka Sanahori)

— — esohw ot eseht llits .snoinuer ,sevitaler rehto eman elddim ekil nioj si si reh yltneg rehtaf gnigaruocne srehtaeW ehS

gniyrT“ ev’I“ ”.tey ot ot ot siht ”,meht meht meht .yltfos ylwols .edis ehs dias noinuer ,sevitaler no fo gnihgual reh t’nevah ecitne decnivnoc emoc gnippihc neeb yawa ta a I tuB

Book IV: Walking history

denrut .kciht eht remmus delttes etal ,ni dah sa ydaerla ria ,enuJ aigroeG yB

yaw hguorht rieht eht eht ,wols tnerever fo derucinam edam sih sdnuorg rethguad nisuoc dna ,noonretfa a yadseuT samohT aramaT rednoP luaP nO ellivetteyaF ,yesroD ytiC .yretemeC

— sdray saw deklaw ot naht .lobmys swor daor enitsirp ,yawhtap tsap fo erom ti senotsdaeh gnidivid a a a yehT 002

dluow saw ot ot rieht eht eht taht edis ,noitces .tser ecalp elpoep revo rehto evah dnuorg ylremrof dehsilbatse erusne devalsne deifingid detarcesnoc yrutnec s’yretemec yb srotsecna oga a a nO kcalB

,ereht eht eht naht fo erom srebmem sderdnuh .ylimaf dednetxe deirub era rednoP-yesroD gnomA 001

Paul Ponder looks at family graves at the Fayetteville Cemetery in Fayetteville on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Paul Ponder looks at family graves at the Fayetteville Cemetery in Fayetteville on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

esehT“ I“ nehw eht eht doots gninnacs dias ,ylteiuq .elpoep tuo fo fo ym .srekram sih sih ”.ereh ”,ereh sevarg rehtomdnarg .rehtaf seye yrc emoc neewteb era dna lla thgiR ,rednoP I eH ,57

tpew ,deklaw dehcuot eht .derebmemer .revo ynam tsuj t’nsi si yrotsih rof ,seilimaf sa dna s’tI roF ,srednoP-yesroD kcalB

erew ,raelcnu noitidart hguorht eht eht eht eht taht elpats snoinuer niamer snosaer rof rof .ylimaf .deid launna a ,nehT morF ,s0791 s0491

.ycnegru noitidart eht esnes deviver fo nevird yb a samohT nI yesroD ,8002

I“ tuB“ — — yhw ohw detnaw ot yeht yeht eht ”,deppots .dias elpoep ym wonk wonk eh yltcaxe t’nod ”.era I syesroD

(L-R) Paul Ponder, Tamara Dorsey and Thomas Dorsey pose for a portrait near family gravestones at the Fayetteville Cemetery in Fayetteville on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

(L-R) Paul Ponder, Tamara Dorsey and Thomas Dorsey pose for a portrait near family gravestones at the Fayetteville Cemetery in Fayetteville on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

ecart ot eht deirots eno fo won .muesum tsom :skramdnal sih ylimaf nac kcab a ,samohT ,esuoH efiF-yesroD-yadilloH s’ellivetteyaF ,16

”coD“ saw elcnu ,rehtomdnarg-taerg-driht eht eht eht renwo lanigiro ecno fo suomafni s’emoh regnilsnug devalsne yb dna selitS yevliS nhoJ nhoJ .yadilloH ,yadilloH ,yadilloH siH yrneH .rD

— — ohw rehtafdnarg-taerg-driht eht ,renwo txen ekaseman deirram retal s’emoh dah devalsne yb neeb dna s’samohT samohT nomoloS yevliS .yesroD yesroD

rieht gnitsevni ni ,noitapicname .ytinummoc gnidliub nageb dna dna samohT yevliS retfA

eht nos sih dednuofoc ta dna noinU samohT yteicoS caasI nI dleifegdE .hcruhC tneloveneB tsitpaB diA ,4881

Isaac Dorsey cofounded the Union Benevolent Aid Society at Edgefield Baptist Church. (Courtesy of the Dorsey Family)

Credit: Dorsey Family

Isaac Dorsey cofounded the Union Benevolent Aid Society at Edgefield Baptist Church. (Courtesy of the Dorsey Family)

eht troppus yteicos snoitazinagro dereffo fo lautum ekil efil ni ni .noisulcxe are gnirud ytingid htaed dna dna na dia retfa htroN ,lautuM deledoM efiL aniloraC atnaltA

nehw erew emit eht naht lareves .sthgir desahcrup ,kaep noitazinagro erom segdol dnal sti rof neve deined detnuoc seiretemec lairub seidob ta osla ssorca a ehT .aigroeG syesroD kcalB kcalB tA 005

fI“ fI“ ”.uoy uoy uoy d’yeht d’yeht ,kcis .dias ”,pleh tog ,deid yrub samohT yesroD

ohw ,seert ecart snoinuer sevitaler sdrocer tneserp ynam edulcni ,snairotsih rehtag .sgnidnif ylimaf ylimaf detangised dna ,yadoT

tI“ tI“ regnuoy su esoht yeht eht eht eht yraterces dias yllaer ”.lufrewop ,elpoep tuo ruo fo ”,ni woh .yrotsih ,spleh sevig rof tif erugif yllaicepse gnidnopserroc snoitcennoc retpahc nac eb dna .yteicoS gnieeS lacirotsiH lacigolaeneG nylvelC atnaltA ,nosrednA naciremA‑orfA

eht eht taht elor deyalp txen gnol ycagel ni sih depleh sah sah .noitareneg rof ylimaf ezilautxetnoc dna samohT ’srednoP-yesroD yesroD

htiw ot deit hguorht rieht .yrots gnippots edor netfo semoh sih eh ,rehtafdnarg ,sehcruhc seiretemec ,yob ta dna a ellivetteyaF sA

edam“ ohw ,spirt .dias em ”,ma esohT samohT I

taht gnissap .no ecnatirehni s’eh ,woN

yM“ syawlA“ s’raey s’ohw ohw erehw ew ew su su koot ot ot siht eht naht rehcaet gniwohs dias ,noinuer sevitaler nalp no erom skramdnal ni ni gnipleh ”.morf rehtaf detcepxe ward emoc seiretemec era dna dna dna a aramaT edishtuoS .rebotcO ”,ellivetteyaF ,yesroD ytnuoC notyalC ,92 051

,raey ylno-setihw tahw saw ot ot ot siht eht eht eht eht eht eht ,noitces denoitisop ecno raen rekram yllacinori dellatsni ronoh ylimaf ecnartne ecnartne ta dna a noinU .yteicoS yteicoS lacirotsiH aigroeG ellivetteyaF reilraE ,yretemeC tneloveneB diA

(L-R) Paul Ponder, Tamara Dorsey and Thomas Dorsey pose for a portrait at a historical marker honoring the Union Benevolent Aid Society, started by their ancestors, at the Fayetteville Cemetery in Fayetteville on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

(L-R) Paul Ponder, Tamara Dorsey and Thomas Dorsey pose for a portrait at a historical marker honoring the Union Benevolent Aid Society, started by their ancestors, at the Fayetteville Cemetery in Fayetteville on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

,klaw rieht eht sevitaler tnecer gniton gniman devom ,senotsdaeh .setad dna dna gnoma ,samohT aramaT luaP gniruD

elohw .meht rieht eht ,nos stser desuap fo .ybraen seil tsuj sevarg noitareneg dniheb ta dna samohT yehT yevliS ,caasI .yesroD A

— — sllet .yrots emos srehto seman regral enotsdaeh dnah dehcte yletarobale ,devrac yb gniraeb a hcaE

Thomas Dorsey touches the gravestone of his great, great, great grandfather Thomas Dorsey at the Fayetteville Cemetery in Fayetteville on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Thomas Dorsey touches the gravestone of his great, great, great grandfather Thomas Dorsey at the Fayetteville Cemetery in Fayetteville on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

,yllacirotsiH“ tuB“ — uoy ”,htrow htiw tahw erew erew ew ew ew eert .yadot sgniht yeht naht thguat trats .edahs ,dias elpoep ruo hcum gnikool ssel ti evah evah taerg rof ”.gnihtyreve neve gnikcud gniod t’ndid ,did segnahc htaeneb ta a samohT ecnO

Book V: A Peachy reunion

— tuohtiw ot ot eht naht ,remmus erehwemos ,rebmemer mialcer rehto erom ni dloh sah flah derehtag morf ylimaf .liaf yreve hcae .esolc ,yrutnec evirra dna dna dna a ,notgnihsaW ,ainigriV yehT oihO htroN roF ,.C.D sivarT-duolC aniloraC aciremA

nemow etihw noisiv detcepxenu owt ,noitidart ot eht eht ,depahs detoor noinuer lufrewop latovip ,trap eno fo fo tsom tsedom knil sti otni ni ni ni ni sah nworg s’ylimaf .stneve cimonoce yb nrob nageb sa dna dna yrtsecna a a tahW kcalB s’aciremA 0791 0291

Gladys Rogers Hilton (left) and Willie Mae Satterfield are cousins and founders of the Cloud-Travis family reunion. (Courtesy of Ken Oglesby)

Credit: Courtesy Ken Oglesb

Gladys Rogers Hilton (left) and Willie Mae Satterfield are cousins and founders of the Cloud-Travis family reunion. (Courtesy of Ken Oglesby)

yehT“ yehT“ — nemow nemow ohw ohw erew erew erew siht rieht eht eht eht naht gnorts detrats dias ”.noinuer noinuer ,rezinagro fo srehtom erom devol ti nairotsih ylimaf ylimaf gnibircsed ”,ylraed .snisuoc snisuoc dna dna .lla eilliW yehT dleifrettaS sregoR ,ybselgO eaM neK notliH sydalG kcalB

tahw saw noisiv rehtegot ot hctits elpmis .derettacs :dnuoforp yrotsih dah tub kcab riehT

— — yaw saw eert ot ot eht eht eht thguos os ytefas noinuer dellup srehto ytinutroppo no fo ynam ynam ekil ni dloh ylimaf seilimaf tnatsid .desrepsid nalc ,seitic sehcnarb gnieb emaceb sa .trapa dna a a ehT ,noitargiM taerG gniruD sivarT-duolC kcalB

Sarah Pringle-Lewis is a relative of Gladys Rogers Hilton. (Courtesy of Ken Oglesby)

Credit: Courtesy Ken Oglesby

Sarah Pringle-Lewis is a relative of Gladys Rogers Hilton. (Courtesy of Ken Oglesby)

yehT“ yehT“ regnuoy esohw t’nerew erew erew saw gniyrt gniyrt rehtegot ot ot rieht eht eht taht erus deyats dias evomer gnirebmemer elpoep nwo fo rehtom ”.selim ekam tsuj ”,ylimaf nisuoc .sdoohdlihc sa a a yehT haraS ,siweL-elgnirP .s’notliH ,17

eht eht .gnihcterts deppots cimednap .ecap reven selim tpek evah sah ylimaf t’ndluoc .niahc kaerb a ehT nevE tuB

yrevE“ esuaceB“ .raey ,raey ,raey ,raey ew ew ew ew ot eht hctiws piks dluohs yas .dias rehto ”,on thgim ti fi fi yreve yreve ”.dne eb ksa a ybselgO dnA

eht eht fo sniatniam yrotsih s’ylimaf ,eettimmoc riahc .evihcra ybselgO sA

Ken Oglesby, the family historian of the Cloud-Travis family poses for a photo while holding family photo albums at his home in Alpharetta on Monday, June 30, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)
Ken Oglesby, the family historian of the Cloud-Travis family poses for a photo while holding family photo albums at his home in Alpharetta on Monday, June 30, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

htiw htiw hguorht siht denot-aipes tas sevitaler .edirp stiartrop gnitniop otohp tuo fo dnuom ,htnom ni emoh sih eh gnippilf dna ,smubla a reilraE atterahplA

sraey ot eht sevitaler sllup citsalp tuo fo srettelswen ylraen deliam egral redlof .yrtnuoc gniniatnoc ssorca a eH 05

Views of Travis-Pringle Society Reunion programs dating back to the 1980s at the home of Ken Oglesby, the family historian shown on Monday, June 30, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)
Views of Travis-Pringle Society Reunion programs dating back to the 1980s at the home of Ken Oglesby, the family historian shown on Monday, June 30, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

rehtonA“ — — sraey lliw tahw yeht remmus srebmem teem ni gnirehtag rof tsrif ylimaf llac dna retfa tuoba eilliW sihT ”,noinueR yhcaeP s’eaM sydalG .atnaltA 55 001

roF“ roF“ ohw erew ew ew ew ew .seit .meht deppirts os .dias rebmemer mialcer ruo fo ,gnol si si si woh woh ylimaf ”,gnihtyreve ”.era sihT sihT ybselgO ,snaciremA nacirfA

eht eht hcterts .yrots snigiro otni s’ylimaf neve repeed ,llitS naciremA

ainrofilaC“ sllup elip tuo fo fo sih ,stnemucod ypoc dna smubla a ybselgO dloG morF ”.kooB

— — namow etihw ylekilnu gninrut ot eht eht eht eht sllet yrots ehs elor tniop deyalp fo fo fo teggun deman retal nwonk ni ni ni etingi woh :yrotsih gnipleh tnua-taerg-taerg-taerg dlog dnuof tsrif demrifnoc yticitnehtua ta sa na a a remmiW .S.U s’rettuS .hsuR s’ybselgO lliM einneJ enaJ tI dloG htebazilE ,duolC ,ainrofilaC ,8481

s’ehS“ .dias fo dnik neddih ”,erugif a ybselgO

etihw .noitaloiv eht eht eht ,egnarts depahs ecneiliser stcelfer ecalp trap no fo fo ton evitarran tsol dettonk si ni yrotsih .ylimaf ylimaf seilimaf noitcidartnoc yb htob dna s’remmiW ehT einneJ sivarT-duolC sivarT-duolC kcalB naciremA nacirfA

Jennie Wimmer, great-great-great-aunt of Ken Oglesby. (Courtesy of Cloud-Travis Family)

Credit: Cloud-Travis Family

Jennie Wimmer, great-great-great-aunt of Ken Oglesby. (Courtesy of Cloud-Travis Family)

— — ohw pirt ot eht esnes ecneiliser ,esoprup .duorp fo gnikam sevael si morf htob dehsinotsa dna dna tahT siweL-elgnirP eniaM atnaltA

tahT“ m’I“ — — sraey ev’dluow ohw ew ew ew ew tnaw eurt .rehtegot ot thguoht siht taht taht taht taht ”,devivrus ehs .dias ton tsom wonk tsuj si desserpmi fi derdnuh rof ,seilimaf eb .era dna syawla lla ”?oga a ohW dnA naciremA nacirfA

Book VI: What remains

ot eht eht eht eht taht deraperp fo ycagel ni ni gnuh yltneg ylimaf esolc .elcric ,moorllab sa ,ria notnrohT setiuS drabbuH yssabmE kcaB

Claudine Decuir holds up the family reunion T-shirt during the Thornton Family Reunion held in Atlanta on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)
Claudine Decuir holds up the family reunion T-shirt during the Thornton Family Reunion held in Atlanta on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

— ,krow lausiv setubirt ,rotcart ecart ot ot hguorht rieht eht eht eht stoor ,moor der ,elop .ecnarevesrep fo fo fo evol .ycagel dnal dnal segami :ytitnedi dleh denrae-drah snoitareneg s’ylimaf ylimaf deyalpsid tserc yalc ,nrab rebrab dna dna dna dna dna a a a a notnrohT yehT strihs-T tsewhtuoS aigroeG dnuorA ynablA

nehw saw emit eht naht erar ylteiuq gnisahcrup fo sddo erom pihsrenwodnal .now-drah ,dnalmraf deifed lanoitnevnoc yb htob ta dna serca a notnrohT nI ecneralC kcalB ,s0491 051

eht taht dednet sniamer dnal ni sih ,rethguaddnarg s’ylimaf ,erac yb ,yadoT enileuqcaJ .repraH dlo-raey-18

Jacqueline Harper holds the family quilt she made for the Thornton Family reunion held in Atlanta on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)
Jacqueline Harper holds the family quilt she made for the Thornton Family reunion held in Atlanta on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

”evoL“ — hcihw saw deltit daerht eht elbignat .lavivrus dehctits depahs noitarapes ,noinuer tliuq ,srebmem egaenil ni ylimaf yb yb dednetta dna tuoba a a a repraH roF 05

”evoL“ eht eht eht eht .retsis esor tliuq fo fo ,noehcnul otni sdnah dedlof rethguad esolc ylluferac dna dna s’dlanigeR ikkiN ,nooM s’drabbuH repraH tA

yM“ ”,raey saw eciov ot siht desoppus ,dias tsal reh teg rehtaf .gnihctac ikkiN

— tahw tahw t’nerew erew saw yeht sraet .sniamer tsol tsuj rof rof reH

About the Author

Ernie Suggs is an enterprise reporter covering race and culture for the AJC since 1997. A 1990 graduate of N.C. Central University and a 2009 Harvard University Nieman Fellow, he is also the former vice president of the National Association of Black Journalists. His obsession with Prince, Spike Lee movies, Hamilton and the New York Yankees is odd.