MARYLAND - A project intended to identify communities and descendants affiliated with the remains of at least 15 people of African or possible African descent so they can be properly buried near their ancestral homes is underway in Maryland.
The remains are currently housed at the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory in Calvert County. Among the communities possibly affiliated with the remains are Twin Oaks in Wicomico County and Bennetts Point in Queen Anne’s County.
The project, called “Engaging with Descendant African American Communities,” will reportedly use genealogical records, land record research, and possibly DNA testing to identify where the remains originally came from across Maryland. The project will also seek to engage with descendant communities to establish plans for a respectful reburial that recognizes both their cultural importance and historical legacy, Governor Wes Moore’s office said.
“In order for us to be able to move forward, we must both remember and value our past,” said Governor Moore in November. “I encourage anyone that has information about these African American communities to speak up, get involved, and ensure our descendants are treated ethically and responsibly.”
According to Moore’s office, the project is a joint effort between the Maryland Commission on African American History and the Maryland Historical Trust.
Elinor Thompson with the Commission on African American History and Culture says it's time for us to discover who these people were.
"They built the communities of which they were living in," Thompson told WBOC. "They could have been former slaves, scholars, explorers."
The Governor’s Office says the majority of the remains were found through discoveries from 1960 to the 1990s. Current policy discourages excavation of human remains and instead urges preservation in place.
Those with information about possibly related African American communities, including those in Wicomico County and Queen Anne’s County, are asked to complete this google form.
