About the Program

Join researcher and historian Gaynell Brady and the City Archives and Special Collections at New Orleans Public Library for a Zoom presentation of her genealogical case study Finding Isabelle Ma Belle London Jefferson: A New Orleans Family Matriarch. We are excited to share this webinar with our Southeast Louisiana neighbors Saturday, January 16th, 2021 at 11am. A recording of this presentation will be available on the City Archives YouTube Channel the week after it airs. Supplemental materials from Mrs. Brady's website are linked below.

Navigating African American genealogy can be very challenging. Moreover, searching for maternal ancestors who were recently enslaved can be tedious and difficult. Yet, Isabelle Ma Belle London Jefferson was worth the years of research and challenges. Gaynell Brady will examine African American genealogy through Ma Belle London Jefferson (1888-1971) who lived in Clinton, Des Allemands, and New Orleans, Louisiana.

Gaynell is a local museum professional who has served as a museum educator at Louisiana State Museum, National World War II Museum, and an interpretive park ranger for the National Park Service.

Gaynell Brady earned a BA in History and MA in Museum Studies from Southern University at New Orleans. Gaynell is currently a Ph.D. candidate at Capella University in Minneapolis, MN, working on her dissertation that includes teaching and interpreting slavery to students.

Gaynell's passion for history and genealogy is expounded through her company Our Mammy's, where she provides interactive history and genealogy lessons for children and families. She has spent the last seven years teaching and interpreting the lives of African Americans in Louisiana. Gaynell has lectured at cultural institutions, historical societies, libraries, and museum conferences.

When she is not teaching or researching, Gaynell is traveling Louisiana's highways and byways and spending time with her family.

Links and Handouts