Author Ric Murphy to Discuss the Arrival of the First Africans in Virginia

SESSION: NGS2104-LV-11 DATE & TIME: Thursday, 20 May 2021 at 1:30 p.m.

Based on the book: Arrival of the First Africans in Virginia, author Ric Murphy will discuss how in 1619, a group of thirty-two African men, women and children arrived on the shores of Virginia. He will also explore how and why they had been kidnapped in the royal city of Kabasa, Angola, and forced aboard the Spanish slave ship the San Juan Bautista. The ship was attacked by privateers, and the captives were taken by the English to their New World colony in Virginia. These Angolans were shrouded in controversy because of colonialism, treason, piracy, kidnapping, enslavement, and English law, and their present-day legacy.

BIO: RIC MURPHY is the National Vice President for History, for the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS), and is an educator, historian, scholar, and lecturer who has presented throughout North America, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa. As an award winning author and highly acclaimed historian, Murphy explores the roles and rich contributions made by African Americans in United States history. His books have received over twenty awards and citations. He recently chaired AAHGS’s 400th Commemoration Commission, bringing attention to the arrival of the first documented Africans in English North America in 1619 and the historic contributions and achievements of Americans of African descent over a four hundred year period. Mr. Murphy was a Fellow at Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government; and he has a Masters in Urban Affairs from Boston University, and a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Massachusetts.

Ric Murphy’s complete bio is available on AAHGS.

To learn more about the NGS 2021 Virtual Family History Conference’s week-long events, 17-21 May, visit the conference and download a copy of the program brochure. A discounted Early Bird registration fee is available through 15 March 2021.