I know right??!! I actually knew some of the Polites from Charleston when I was growing up, but I can't remember the young lady at the link that went back to Sierra Leone. Make sure to check out some of the videos on his site as well, some beautiful reconcIiation there. I've read a lot of Joseph Opala's work too (he was the historian who made that reunion happen) -- he's done a lot of work about slavery in Florida.

Don't remember exactly where you're located now, but check out this site: http://www.tracingcenter.org/ I've not been on it for awhile but there may be something there you can use. So, so proud of you and yours, Lynda. I really mean that.

It's crazy, but my maiden name is all over Charleston -- I know my father's family was owned by one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence (while he owned slaves). The family's descendants are now supposedly trying to make "amends" by listing "paying some tribute" to them by making some of the information they have on them available and offering $2000 scholarships to some of their descendants. I feel some kind of way about it though, because it just feels like they're yet again, capitalizing on our history and culture, making even more gazillions through tourism than they did during the slave trade. Still working my way through all those feelings.