In honor of Juneteenth, Wayne State University hosted a series of lectures and a genealogy workshop focused on tracing African American family lineages beyond slavery.

The workshop was led by Dr. Carolyn Carter, a historian and professional genealogist. Carter says genealogy research is an emotional journey.

“You’re going to find things that you didn’t know, you’re going to make discoveries that you didn’t know, that are going to be emotional. And you have to be ready and open and prepared for that,” she said. “But I tell my students, assume all stories are false because you were not there, and so it’s your job to find the truth in that journey.”

On this episode of Detroit Evening Report Weekends, we listen to WDET reporter Bre’Anna Tinsley’s conversation with Carter about the process of tracing one’s ancestry and the difficulties of tracing the histories of African Americans.

Later, Tinsley joins Detroit Evening Report host Sascha Raiyn to discuss their own family histories.

Listen to the episode using the media player above.

Subscribe to the Detroit Evening Report on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

Wayne State University is offering a genealogy workshop focused on the lineage of enslaved Black Americans as part of its 2025 Juneteenth programming.

At the interactive workshop, “Building Forward with Wisdom,” participants will learn practical genealogy strategies, like how to trace one’s ancestry through digital tools and historical records, under the guidance of professional genealogist, historian and researcher Dr. Carolyn Carter.

Carter says when beginning the search into family history, its important to start with what’s known.

“In genealogy, we do something called tracing from the known to the unknown,” Carter said. “You want to start with your story, or the people who are there with you.”

WDET’s Bre’Anna Tinsley spoke with Carter ahead of the workshop to discuss what attendees can expect and share tips for tracing one’s ancestry.

Carter says collecting oral histories will be the most valuable resources, and often the only resources that people may have. Once the story reaches slavery, researchers may find it more difficult to find information as enslavers did not keep detailed records of slaves.

“Because enslaved people were property, they had no rights. They were listed on the Census just by tick mark in male or female. So those stories, those histories have been lost,” Carter said.

Carter said researching the enslavers themselves can be just as crucial as researching one’s ancestors. She suggested checking wills and deeds of enslavers, as they would often leave slaves to family members after death. Some enslavers would sympathize with their slaves and leave property to them in their death, or emancipate them in their wills, she added.

According to Carter, there are many road bumps along the way when researching ancestors. One main reason she points out is that African Americans, even those who were free, were afraid of the government. They often would not give accurate information during Census counts to protect themselves and their loved ones.

“They put nicknames, they put erroneous occupations. And if you were living or visiting a relative the day that the Census takers came, you were recorded as living in that home,” she said.

Carter says it wasn’t until after emancipation that the U.S. government realized they were getting inaccurate information.

“So genealogy is detective work,” Carter said. “You’ve got to figure out some things. You got to listen and learn and and understand history and understand your family, where they came from, how they migrated, when they migrated, who they are.”

Carter also advises researchers to think outside the box when looking for names. Some people may have names spelled incorrectly, because most black people were illiterate and would spell things by how they sound. They would change their names to distance themselves from the enslaver, such as adding the surname Freeman or adding an “e” to the end of names to signify their emancipation.

Use the media player above to hear the full conversation.

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Happy Juneteenth! This week, we’ve got even more ways to celebrate in Detroit, from parades and parties to genealogy workshops.

Plus, outdoor activities for the official start of summer, and a “y’all-inclusive” hoedown. Read on to learn more.

Juneteenth celebrations

The 15th Annual Juneteenth Community Festival in Detroit is on Thursday, June 19. The celebration starts with sunrise yoga at 6 a.m., followed by a community 5k at 9 a.m., a parade and car show down Woodward at 11 a.m., and a family festival in Avalon Village from 3–8 p.m. The festival will feature live entertainment, keynote speakers, a hair show and fun for all ages. For more information, visit juneteenthindetroit.com.

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History is also celebrating Juneteenth on Thursday, June 19 with a wide range of activities. There will be a Juneteenth treasure hunt throughout the museum, art healing and unity workshops, a screening of “Clotilda: Last American Slave Ship,” cooking demonstrations, live music and dancing, and more. Festivities go from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and registration is required for some activities. To see the full lineup of events and learn more, visit thewright.org.

The Detroit Historical Museum is celebrating Juneteenth on Thursday, June 19 with a special educational program called, “The Moral and Social Scope of Juneteenth.” Starting at noon, this presentation features original poems, music and essays written by Detroit students, offering personal insights into the significance of Juneteenth. The museum will also be open for personal exploration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. so visitors can engage with the rich stories that shape our city’s past and present. Admission is free with registration. For more information, visit detroithistorical.org.

Detroit house DJs Father Dukes and Kindle are celebrating Juneteenth at UFO Bar on Thursday, June 19. “Who All Gone Be There” features DJ sets by André Moore b2b John Adams, Chuk Ezeanya, Sawn, Kesswa, Gulley, Ameera, John FM and Father Dukes b2b Kindle. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the event goes until 2 a.m. This event is 21+. For more information, visit ra.co.

On Wednesday, June 25, Wayne State University is hosting a Juneteenth genealogy discovery event called “Building Forward with Wisdom.” Led by historian, professional genealogist and Detroit native Carolyn Carter, Ph.D., participants will use digital tools and access historical records to explore their family roots and uncover the stories that shaped their lineage. The workshop takes place at Bernath Auditorium from 5:30–7:30 p.m. Admission is free with registration. For more information, visit events.wayne.edu.

Pride parties

On Saturday, June 21, head to the Old Miami for “Howdy Fest 4.” This “y’all-inclusive” event features queer line dancing led by Stud Country, live country music, a mechanical bull, BBQ and drag performances. The event goes from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. and is 21+. Tickets are $20 online or $25 at the door. For more information, visit their Eventbrite.

Outdoor activities

On Saturday, June 21, the Greektown Neighborhood Partnership is hosting its first-ever Summer Wine Stroll, a celebration of local food, wine and community. Guests will stroll through Greektown, enjoying curated wine samples and small bites from nearly a dozen participating restaurants and bars. Check-in starts at 11:30 p.m. and the event goes until 4 p.m. This event is 21+ and tickets are $39. For more information, visit their Eventbrite page.

Also on Saturday, June 21, the Farmington Hills Nature Center is hosting a family-friendly Summer Solstice Celebration with hayrides, a campfire, and seasonal games and crafts in Heritage Park. The event runs from 6:30–8:30 p.m. and admission is $8. For more information, visit their website.

The annual Ford Fireworks return to Detroit on Monday, June 23. The show will take place over the Detroit River beginning at 10 p.m. Tickets for the Parade Company’s official Rooftop Party are sold out, but the show will be visible from plenty of other vantage points along the riverfront. For more information, visit theparade.org.

WDET’s second “What’s So Funny About Detroit?” comedy showcase of the summer is on Thursday, June 26. Hosted by In The Groove’s Ryan Patrick Hooper in the beautiful backyard of The Old Miami, this month’s comedians are Melanie Hearn, Tanya Vora, Andy Peters, Joey Aasim and Lee Ledbetter. There will be music by DJ Thornstryker in between sets and food and drinks will be available for purchase. Doors open at 6 p.m., the show starts at 7 p.m. and the event is 21+. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. For more information, visit our events page.