"History Detectives" is again hosted by Wes Cowan, independent appraiser and auctioneer; Elyse Luray, an independent appraiser and expert in art history; Gwendolyn Wright, professor of architecture, planning and preservation and professor of history, Columbia University; and Tukufu Zuberi, professor of sociology and the director of the Center for Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
Could this banjo, dated from the mid-1800s, be the only slave banjo known to exist? "History Detectives" is on the case.
Blues legend Taj Mahal offers "History Detectives" host Tukufu Zuberi his expertise while looking for answers behind the history of the slave banjo.
Host Tukufu Zuberi was online Tuesday, July 26, at 11 a.m. ET to discuss the 11-part weekly PBS series.
Each one-hour episode of this series comprises three explorations that uncover everything from interesting trivia to revelations about illustrations that might have helped persuade America to fight the Nazis in World War II. Monday's episode includes:
Cherokee Bible : The History Detectives learn more about the "Trail of Tears" as they head to Oklahoma and Tennessee to tackle the genealogical mystery behind our contributor's bible.
Slave Banjo : Enlisting the help of blues musician Taj Mahal, "History Detectives" is off to Ohio and Maryland to trace the roots of two American families divided by racial lines during the Civil War and to track the surprising lineage of the banjo.
United Empire Loyalists : "History Detectives" travels to Canada, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to learn more about a mysterious family link to a forgotten story of the Revolutionary War.
A transcript follows.
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Tukufu Zuberi: Good morning America.
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Washington, D.C.: Have you heard of any other surviving banjos owned by slaves since the taping of the show?
Tukufu Zuberi: I have not heard of any other surviving banjos owned by the enslaved population of the United States. Even if another banjo is discovered it will be one of two surviving banjos owned by the formerly enslaved. The slave banjo is a rare artifact indeed.
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Hamilton, Canada: Really enjoyed the banjo episode, I wonder where it is located now as the owner hinted at end that he would be finding a better place for it than his home, perhaps a museum?
One of the things that really interested me was Taj Mahal mentioning how the banjo was an instrument to avoid for African American musicians given its history in 'black face' explains possibly also why it was dropped and not used much in jazz beyond Dixieland or New Orleans original jazz.
Tukufu Zuberi: To my knowledge Dave Brown is still in possession of the banjo. Let's not forget that Taj Mahal also mentioned how he overcame this negative stereotyping of the banjo. If you have ever had the opportunity to see Taj in concert you will see that he is very comfortable with this instrument.
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Oakville, Ontario: Having explored the story of Daniel Dunham, a United Empire Loyalists who settled near Brockville, Ontario, have you considered a story about the Loyal Blacks who settled in Birchtown Nova Scotia? I understand that many did not stay but moved on to Africa to re-establish their lives.
Tukufu Zuberi: I am very interested in the lives of the Black Loyalists who settled in Nova Scotia and founded the state of Sierra Leone under the British. If you know of a story that might be appropriate for the History Detectives please email us the question.
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Harrisburg, Pa.: I see an upcoming (or did I miss it?) episode deals with loyalists during the Revolutionary War. From my limited knowledge, there were some very deep family divisions regarding supporting the war, especially at the beginning when even some later pro-war leaders were still arguing for negotiations with England. I know it pained Benjamin Franklin that his son became a loyalist Governor of New Jersey. My question: how brutal did the infighting get, and what aspect of this division is depicted on your show?
Tukufu Zuberi: The episode on the loyalists during the Revolutionary War was shown on PBS on Monday night. You are correct, many families were split regarding support for the revolutionary war or continued loyalty to the British Empire. Tens of thousands of the North American population actually fought for the British.
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Atlanta, Ga.: I am John E. Stewart of Atlanta, Ga.; and, I want to trace my family history back to the Mother Land of Africa. My grandmother, Mrs. Fannie Blair ( Was Fannie Stewart)....My Grand father Mr. John H. Stewart, was killed in the 1800. Hence, grand mother Blair married a Mr. Blair. It is said that grandmother Blair was born is slavery of Native American and Africa-American ... of Cario, Ga. Help.....
Tukufu Zuberi: Let me begin by saying that your search will require an incredible amount of perseverance, passion, and patience, the same attributes that your ancestors had in abundance. For some help take a look at the link below.
| | We cannot live in the past, but the past can live in us. |
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washingtonpost.com: Ancestors: Census Records.
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New Albany, Ind.: How do you manage your schedule between your teaching duties and the show? I imagine it's pretty hectic --- there is a lot of travel involved. How did you get involved in the show? It's a fantastic idea.
Tukufu Zuberi: The History Detectives found me in my office happily doing what most academics do-reading, writing, and talking to as many people as will listen-often referred to as teaching. I received a phone call asking if I new of anyone that might be a good candidate for the show. I gave the caller about five or six names and went on about my business. After a few weeks, I received a second call asking if I would be interested in doing the show. I thought about it for a few moments and agreed to at least do a screen test. This is when Lion Television, the production company, sent out one of its producers to film me answering some questions about the buildings at the University of Pennsylvania. I thought this was strange, but went along with it anyway. After a few months passed I did not hear from the producer and turned my attention back to my work. A few weeks later I was in Atlantic City filming my first episode of the History Detectives. My first story was about the Pop Lloyd baseball field in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Pop Lloyd story takes one man's personal biography and places it within the context of American history, the history of baseball, and the history of segregation. It was at this moment that I new I was involved in something that was important and not your everyday television.
I handle the travel by having great people working with me at the University of Pennsylvania. I love teaching and it is hard to think of it as work.
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Ada, Okla.: Mr. Zuberi, first of all, I love History Detectives. My question is how do I find records on someone when all I have is name and state? They were mulattos from Starkville, Miss.
Tukufu Zuberi: Again, let me reiterate that genealogical research requires an incredible amount of perseverance, passion, and patience, the same attributes that your ancestors had in abundance. You should be aware that if your relative was a so-called Mulatto that you may find both White and African American ancestors. So, be open to the facts of life as they have always been in American history. For some help take a look at the link below.
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washingtonpost.com: Ancestors: Census Records.
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Munich, Germany: Was a connection ever made between the Loyalists and the Underground Railroad, that endeavored to get southern slaves into areas that had forbidden slavery?
I've never been sure how far north the Underground Railroad extended.
Tukufu Zuberi: The British saw the five hundred thousand slaves in America as an invaluable ally within the enemy camp. Britain was committed to free any rebel-owned slave who joined the British in the war. It is estimated that as many as one-fifth of the total slave population joined the British forces. After Lord Cornwallis surrendered to Washington the British demobilized their army. As a reward for their assistance the British had promised them free land and a new life. Many of the British Loyalists were resold into slavery after the British defeat. Some were resold after being recaptured by the Rebel forces, yet others were sold by British soldiers after the War. Thousands were sold in the British and French West Indian islands. A few even found their way to England and Sierra Leone. By 1783, only about three thousand Africans from the United States were among the Loyalists who made their way to Nova Scotia. However, Nova Scotia proved to be to cold and their fellow white Loyalists too inhospitable for these former slaves. Few Black British Loyalists received any land at all, and those that did receive land got plots that were smaller than promised, contained barren soil, and were far from the major settlements in Canada.
| | Being a History Detective has given me a unique opportunity to examine the everyday stories of everyday people. These stories are how we recall the relevance of history. |
In 1791, Thomas Peters went to London to complain about the treatment he and the other Africans in Nova Scotia had received. In London Peters meet with supporters of the Sierra Leone colonization movement who suggested that he and his fellow African Nova Scotians relocate to their ancestral home--Africa. Peters was convinced that this was a solution to the problems the Loyalists were encountering in Nova Scotia, and he was able to find many Africans in Nova Scotia who agreed. In 1792, fifteen vessels carried the Loyalists from Halifax Nova Scotia to Sierra Leone. After a difficult three month voyage full of sickness and deaths on board, 1,131 Loyalists from Nova Scotia arrived in Sierra Leone, following an outbreak of 'fever' about 70 immigrants died during the voyage.
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Schoeneck, Pa.: I would imagine that for every very fascinating story the historian unearths there are an equal (at least) amount of dead ends. I think of archaeologists, for example, who might dig aimlessly in the desert before finding even the first signs of a village or tomb, yet they don't give up. What keeps you going when the ends all seem to be dead?
Tukufu Zuberi: The important issue is the story. History consists of our stories about the past. Being a History Detective has given me a unique opportunity to examine the everyday stories of everyday people. These stories are how we recall the relevance of history. I never forget that people make history, and being a History Detective has allowed me to talk to the people who make history relevant-people like you. We cannot live in the past, but the past can live in us. When the ends all seem to be dead I read and look behind the facts, but if I don't find what I am looking for, I look under the facts. If I am still frustrated in my search, I look around the facts. I try to be enthusiastic and keep hope alive. I understand and have sympathy for the ideal of cold, scientific history; but this impartial history must not be allowed to degenerate as it has so often into insensibility to the human condition. Remember that the scientific examination of the human condition must always consider the social context in which we live. In an important way we are part of the story we tell, and therefore making history as we live.
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Alexandria, Va.: How much detective work for each submitted case does "History Detectives" do before a topic is complete enough for a segment on the show? Seems like there would be a certain amount of hit-and-miss before anyone could tell whether or not a case is going to work out...
Tukufu Zuberi: You are correct; each story is researched before we send the crew out to film. It would be very expensive to film our research on every question. Every story is researched before it is given a green light. As you know not all the stories provide the hoped for answer. Sometimes we find that the artifact or story is untrue. Sometimes we find that the artifact or story is more than the person asking the question thought. So, while the end is not predictable, we do not film stories that do not make it to air. At the end of the day, the question is about the story.
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Tukufu Zuberi: I am currently in Paris, France. The wonders of the Internet never fail to amaze me; however, I am off to dinner. Thanks for this great opportunity to communicate with the wonderful viewing audience of the History Detectives.
Peace,
Tukufu Zuberi
I understand and have sympathy for the ideal of cold, scientific history; but this impartial history must not be allowed to degenerate as it has so often into insensibility to the human condition. | |
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