Newspaper Articles of Interest

From: The Virginia Beach Beacon February 14, 2008 Page 3

La Tanya Cole

This amateur genealogist is digging in her own roots and unearthing her family's story

INTERVIEW BY VICTORIA BOURNE | THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

La Tanya Cole is becoming the guardian of her family's story. And a genealogical hobby that began as a way to satisfy her own curiosity has evolved into a familial obligation. "There's a storyteller in every family, You may not want (the responsibility) ... but you know when it's you," she said. Cole has researched her family roots since 1995. "It was interesting to me. Because I understood what I found, I became good at explaining (it) to family members. It was a natural progression," she said. If someone had told Cole beforehand that she was to be the family historian appointee, she would have politely declined, she admitted. But this Virginia Beach Genealogical Society member recognizes the valuable resource that genealogical work represents. Her files will be passed on and, hopefully, preserved for future generations. "The knowledge that I have gained is too good not to share," she said.

How long have you been a member of the Virginia Beach Genealogical Society? Seven years

What roles and/or positions have you held within the group ?

Membership chair ; treasurer ; chair, 2005 annual conference; co chair "How To…" group (Saturday beginner's class)

Describe your fellow society members in two words Computer savvy

What annual Virginia Beach Genealogical Society events do you look forward to most and why? The annual conference and the monthly meetings - all have interesting speakers.

What challenges have you faced while doing your own genealogical

Bio: Full name La Tanya Elaine Cole Neighborhood Church Point Hometown Los Angeles, Calif. Age 45 Nickname LC Marital status Married to Reginald for 21 years Children Reginald II, 20; Desmond, 16 Occupation Customer service representative - employee benefits Pet peeve Phony people, Hobbies Volunteering in the community, reading and, of course, genealogy! Childhood ambition To be a jockey and get paid to ride horses Guilty pleasure Pecan pie Personal motto There is always more to learn.

Research? I have different challenges with different family lines: Common family names such as Green and Brown are difficult to research, and I have several family members who are hesitant to talk about the past. Also, the lack of paper trails for African-American and Native American genealogy, especially between 1865 and 1869 (before the 1870 census, which for the first time listed all blacks by name) .

What are the most useful research resources you've discovered?

Virginia Beach Genealogical Society and Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society-Hampton; Central Library; good friends and family members

What is the most rewarding aspect of genealogical research? The process of self-discovery. As I research my family, I learn more about myself, about where my family has been and where we are going.

What is the most interesting thing you've learned about your genealogy? All of my family lines have interesting stories, but the most interesting story involves my Green family ties to the Calhoun family in Abbeville, S.C.

If you could invite three famous people, living or dead, to dinner, who would they be? Oprah Winfrey, Denzel Washington and Gilda Radner

Who would play you in a movie based on your life? Judge Glenda Hatchett

The most recently watched movie you'd recommend to a friend "The Pursuit of Happyness"

What books are sitting on your nightstand right now? Tony Burroughs, "Black Roots: A Beginners Guide To Tracing The African American Family Tree"; Edward Ball, "The Genetic Strand: Exploring a Family History Through DNA"; and Suze Orman, "Women & Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny"

What adjective would you use to describe yourself? Outgoing

Of what achievements are you most proud? My children

If you could choose your theme song, what would it be? "I'm Every Woman"

What words of wisdom would you share with someone who is new to genealogical research?

Start with yourself and work backwards to complete your pedigree (lineage) chart. Ask your relatives questions about themselves, ancestors and the past. Join a genealogy group (and) attend meetings and conferences often.

Virginia Beach Genealogical Society's annual conference, Dig In Your Roots, will be held March 29 at the Central Library, 4100 Virginia Beach Blvd. Call 495-0672, or visit www.rootsweb.com/~vavbgs.