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Family links unfold across Milwaukee divided by race
The Rice Byrd family reunion in Lawrence links Black and white relatives once segregated in Milwaukee from the 1930s to the 1960s. Richard Rice Sr and genealogical researcher Judy Sweets led efforts to unite the branches, tracing Mc Carter Byrd’s descendants from North Carolina to Lawrence, with tours of Byrd Tannery and Oak Hill Cemetery and a church visit that revealed a stained glass window bearing Byrd’s name. The gathering aims to educate about racism and inspire broader ancestry work.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Wisconsin
McCarter Byrd
Milwaukee
Rice- Byrd
Richard Rice Sr
Rice
Lawrence
Eli Rice
Oshkosh
Richard
Los Angeles
Guardians of
Grover Barn
Lawrence Journal-World
McCarter
Rice-Byrd
Judy Sweets
Sweets
The
Journal-World
North Carolina
Hull
England
John Day
Lucy Byrd
Cornelia Byrd
Byrd Tannery
Maine Street
Oak Hill Cemetery
Kansas
Barbara Ballard
Eldridge Hotel
Ninth Street Missionary Baptist Church
Maria King
Roscoe
Illinois
Robyn
Holly Smith
Lincoln
Smith
America
Richard Rice Jr
Rice Jr
Paula Cannon
Murrieta
California
Rice Sr
Stephanie Byrd
Melanie Byrd
Mary Ellen Byrd
William Byrd
Ballard