The Black Informant | African American Commentary, News and Community Building

Mrs. Thomalind Martin Polite an African American woman from Charleston, South Carolina (USA) will visit Sierra Leone on May 26 in an effort to see where her ancestor originated.

Mrs. Thomalind Martin Polite, a 31- year- old speech therapist, is believed to be a direct descendant of a 10-year-old girl named “Priscilla” who was taken on a slave ship from Sierra Leone to South Carolina in 1756 during the slave trade. Among the thousands of black Americans who now live in the US and whose ancestors where packed like sardines on board ships to the Americas, few black Americans can name a specific ancestor from Africa and know where he or she came from. But Thomalind has been fortunate because research has revealed to her that her ancestor left Sierra Leone – April 9th, 1756, according to records that have been discovered.

Thomalind’s visit is being called “Priscilla’s Homecoming” in honour of her ancestor. Thomalind’s visit is important for Sierra Leoneans. Many now see the link between they and black Americans, especially the creoles in the capital Freetown, who are also descendants of freed slaves from the Americas after the abolition of slave trade. Sierra Leoneans share her joy at finding her ancestral home in Africa, a long-lost relative come home from America after 249 years…more

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Good for her! I have always admired Alex Haley (Author of “Roots”) for doing the same thing. If memory serves me correctly, I think he was able to narrow it down to the tribe. Wow!

I’m still trying to figure out how he is related to LaVar Burton…..:)