The Wendell Ancestry and Memory Project, led by NC State University's ASHES Lab, is dedicated to uncovering the hidden histories of a newly identified historic burial site in Wendell, North Carolina. Discovered on private land, this sacred site potentially dates back to the late 1700s, serving as the final resting place for enslaved Africans whose lives and legacies have been long overlooked by history.
 

Our mission is to respectfully uncover the stories preserved in the soil and remains to better understand ancestral relationships, historical experiences, and community health. By employing cutting-edge scientific techniques, including next-generation genomic sequencing, historical reconstructions, and isotopic analyses, we aim to illuminate forgotten aspects of Wendell’s heritage and provide meaningful insights into the broader African American experience.
 

What makes this project uniquely powerful is the heartfelt community involvement at its core. Guided by ethical practices and deep respect for those who rest here, our researchers closely collaborate with the local community, descendants, and interested residents. Through interactive town halls, community conversation days, and individual interviews, we offer meaningful spaces for local residents and others to share their stories, ask questions, and contribute personal accounts that enrich our scientific findings.
 

Oral histories and personal accounts from local community members will be essential to rediscovering and preserving the site’s rich history. Your involvement in this project can help honor the memories of those who have been overlooked by traditional historical narratives, contributing significantly to community knowledge, education, and cultural heritage. Additionally, the findings from this initiative hold promise for community health insights and could potentially support the future designation of this burial site as an official historic landmark, ensuring its long-term preservation and recognition.
 

Guided by ethical practices and deep community engagement, our researchers closely collaborate with local residents and descendant communities, ensuring that our research honors the past while empowering present and future generations. Together, we can reclaim and celebrate these important stories, fostering greater understanding, connectedness, and healing.
 

Join us in this significant journey toward uncovering our shared history and creating a future where these invaluable stories are recognized, remembered, and cherished.