An American Family Tree: Michelle Obama Learns About Her Slave Ancestors, Herself and Her Country

WP: A Family Tree Rooted In American Soil
Michelle Obama Learns About Her Slave Ancestors, Herself and Her Country
By Shailagh Murray
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 2, 2008; C01

GEORGETOWN, S.C.

The old plantation where Michelle Obama's great-great-grandfather lived is tucked behind the tire stores and veterinary clinics of U.S. Highway 521. But its history and grounds have been meticulously preserved, down to the dikes that once controlled the flow of water into its expansive rice fields.

Not much is known about Jim Robinson, however, including how or when he came to Friendfield, as the property is still called. But records show he was born around 1850 and lived, at least until the Civil War, as a slave. His family believes that he remained a Friendfield worker all his life and that he was buried at the place, in an unmarked grave.

Until she reconnected with relatives here in January on a campaign trip, Obama did not know much about her ancestry, or even that Friendfield existed. As she was growing up in Chicago, her parents did not talk about the family's history, and the young Michelle Robinson didn't ask many questions.

But if her husband is elected president in November, he will not be the only one in the family making history. While Barack Obama's provenance -- his black Kenyan father, white Kansas-born mother and Hawaiian childhood -- has been celebrated as a uniquely American example of multicultural identity, Michelle Obama's family history -- from slavery to Reconstruction to the Great Migration north -- connects her to the essence of the African American experience.

To Rep. James E. Clyburn (D), whose district includes part of Georgetown County, the possibility that a descendant of slaves could be first lady is just as momentous as the prospect of a black man as president. "I believe she could play as pivotal a role as her husband could, if not more so. It would allow us an opportunity to get beyond some of our preconceived notions, some of our prejudices," he said....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/01/AR2008100103169_pf.html

Michelle's family story sounds great. I hope we learn more about it, as time goes on.

ETA there's a wonderful photo gallery here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2008/10/01/GA2008100102802.html?sid=ST2008100103245

That was a good read.

THANKS!

What a woman!