Timbuctoo, New Jersey - The Story of a Black Historic Settlement with Guy Weston

Join Janice Gilyard and Cherekana Feliciano for a conversation with Guy Weston regarding Historic Timbuctoo, New Jersey. Guy has been engaged in genealogy research for over 25 years, with substantial focus on his maternal ancestors in Timbuctoo, NJ, where his fourth great-grandfather bought his family's plot in 1829 for $30. His introduction to genealogy came when he had to do research to secure the title on his family’s property. Most of his recent work has encompassed research and public history initiatives to raise the profile of Timbuctoo and antebellum free African Americans in New Jersey history. These have included interpretive signage in Timbuctoo, coordination of a curriculum development project in collaboration with local teachers, and preservation efforts for the Timbuctoo cemetery, where the oldest gravestone is dated 1847. Guy currently serves as Managing Director of the Timbuctoo Historical Society is a Visiting Scholar at Rutgers University and is the editor of AAHGS Journal. In addition, he is active in the Association for the Study of African American Life ASALH in Philadelphia, and the James Dent Walker Chapter of The Afro American Historical and Genealogical Society in Washington, DC. He has contributed articles about his research to the AAHGS Journal, AAHGS News, National Genealogical Society Magazine, and New Jersey Studies. He maintains a website which can be found at www.timbuctoonj.com. He has a master’s degree in Bilingual-Bicultural Studies from LaSalle University.