Funeral Programs 101 with Karen Sutton

It is an African American tradition to hold on to and treasure certain Funeral Programs because they represent a final and public tribute to the life of family members, friends and associates.  Ms.Sutton began actively collecting Funeral Programs and Newspaper Obituaries in1986. Today she has a 15 volume collection of 2" loose-leaf binders full of them consisting of at least 1000 people.  She will share with you how to decipher the clues provided therein to help with your genealogical research. 

Karen E. Sutton is a Family Historian, specializing in African-American research in Maryland,Virginia, & Washington, DC,Medical, and Lineage Societies in general, and the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) research in particular. She joined NSDAR based on the service of her free black ancestor from Virginia.  Karen also served as National membership chair for the Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society, Inc.(AAHGS), is a charter member of the Baltimore Chapter of AAHGS, and is the first Black “National Vice-Chairperson -- African American” -- for the“National Lineage Research Committee,” NSDAR.  She holds a B.S. in Nursing and a Master's degree in Historical Studies.  After receiving her MA,Karen worked at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in colonial costume, and is currently employed as a Registered Nurse in Long Term Care.  She has also taught "African American History" and "Introduction to the African American Experience" courses in the Africana Studies Department at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, and is seeking similar employment at a Baltimore Area Community College or University.