During the closing days of the American Civil War, a little-remembered document, a census of the Federal Military Districts, was created. The document entitled, Census Department of the South – November 1864: For Jacksonville, Fernandina and St. Augustine, Florida – Ordered by the Department of the South, Hilton Head, South Carolina, proved to be an effective tool in augmenting genealogical research. That research led Yvonne Emanuel to the ultimate discovery of some unknown and formerly enslaved family members. This session will briefly review that discovery by showing how an unknown or little used document can aid in your research.

Yvonne learned about family history from an aunt who once told her a family secret. As a child she wondered about what she was told, but did not know how to find out information regarding the story. Today she knows how to locate such information and assists others with their research.

Yvonne makes presentations throughout Texas as a member of the East Texas Historical Association. She is also a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists. Currently she works with a team organizing a historic cemetery preservation society.  She enjoys speaking and teaching others how to conduct historical and genealogical research.

She earned a B.A. degree from Angelo State University in Modern Languages (French) and History; with a minor in English and Education. She also earned an M.P.A. from the University of Oklahoma. Yvonne is a 2013 graduate of the National Institute for Genealogical Research and a 2018 graduate of the Georgia Institute of Genealogical and Historical Research.