Ancestors Under Water (FOIA Reveals 100+ Buried Relatives)
February 17 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
The Amelia Island Genealogical Society will hold its regular monthly meeting at 7pm on the 3rd Tuesday, 17 February 2026, in the community room at the Fernandina Branch Library. The public is invited to join us!
At this meeting, our guest speaker, Andrew Thompson will present “Ancestors Under Water: FOIA Reveals Over 100 Relatives Buried Beneath Lake Moultrie, South Carolina.” This presentation examines how genealogist Andrew Thompson used the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) laws as a genealogical research methodology, leading to the identification of more than 100 relatives (enslaved individuals, formerly enslaved persons, and their descendants) whose burial sites now lie beneath the waters of Lake Moultrie, South Carolina.
Andrew Thompson is an avid genealogist with extensive experience in the historical South Carolina Lowcountry. He has reconstructed his family history across the era of slavery, uncovering 66 enslaved relatives (9 direct lineal ancestors, 57 extended family members). Andrew has presented numerous lectures throughout the Southeastern United States on African American Genealogy. Andrew currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Amelia Island Genealogical Society.