Family Migration

Because of slavery in the !9^th century of African people, the place of origin of my ancestors is unknown. My father’s family was born in the southern states.

            My father was born on February 9, 1910 in McComb, Mississippi.  He was the third child of five children. My father never knew his mother.  My father was raised in Mississippi by his father up until the age of 14.  However, my father’s life changed dramatically when my grandfather died in an automobile accident.  My father traveled by train to Chicago, Illinois in 1925. He was part of the Great Migration of the African Americans from the south to the north in the early part of the 20^th century to find work and better working conditions. After twenty years, my father decided to leave Chicago to find work in Washington, D.C.  He pursued his dream of becoming a minister by attending Northwestern Seminary in Washington, D.C.  He received his pastoral appointment at Jessup African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1949. My father moved to Phoenix, Arizona in 1960 because he had liked his previous visit there, especially the weather.