FOR ONE OKLAHOMA WOMAN, A HISTORY INVOLVING SEGREGATION ISN’T STOPPING HER FROM TRYING TO CONNECT LOST PHOTOS WITH THEIR OWNERS.
SEGREGATION IS THE FORCED SEPARATION OF PEOPLE. IN THE UNITED STATES IT WAS LEGAL FOR COMPANIES TO DENY SERVICE TO BLACK PATRONS, UNTIL THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964.
MEGAN ALLISON HAS OUR STORY.
WILLIAMSON: "PICTURE AFTER PICTURE AFTER PICTURE."
MEGAN: WILLIAMSON GOT MORE THAN SHE BARGAINED FOR WHEN CLEANING OUT HER ATTIC. LOTS OF GARBAGE TO THROW AWAY AND SOME ITEMS SENTIMENTAL
ENOUGH TO HOLD ONTO.
KANDY WILLIAMSON/ FOUND PHOTOS IN ATTIC: I JUST CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT'S ONE THEIR MINDS. FACES. YOU DON'T DISCOUNT FACES, AND BEAUTIFUL FACES.
BABY PICTURES. AND OH IT JUST KEPT COMING.
MEGAN: THE TULSA RESIDENT SAYS SHE'S A PROUD AMERICAN.
KANDY WILLIAMSON/ FOUND PHOTOS IN ATTIC: AT THE BOTTOM OF THE EXPIRATION DATE IT SAYS WHITE PATRONS ONLY.
MEGAN: ALTHOUGH LOOKING BACK IN HISTORY IS NOT ALWAYS EASY.
KANDY: THESE - THEY'RE SAYING A LOT.
MEGAN: BUT WILLIAMSON SAYS CONNECTING FAMILIES WITH THEIR OWN HISTORY GOES BEYOND COLOR.
KANDY WILLIAMSON/ FOUND PHOTOS IN ATTIC: IT'S JUST HERITAGE. YOU WANT TO CONNECT SOMEONE. IT WOULD MAKE ME FEEL SO MUCH BETTER. I HAVE QUESTIONS
ABOUT MY HERITAGE.
MEGAN: THESE QUESTIONS LASTED THROUGHOUT HER CHILDHOOD AND THE KANSAS CITY NATIVE NEVER KNEW HER FATHER. IT WASN'T UNTIL 1999 THAT SHE
CONNECTED WITH HER EXTENDED FAMILY AND SAW A PHOTO OF HIM FOR THE FIRST TIME.
KANDY WILLIAMSON/ FOUND PHOTOS IN ATTIC: I'M LIKE, WHO IS HE? AND THEN I SAW OLD PICTURES OF HIM HOLDING THINGS. HE WASN'T MY DAD THEN. SO THAT WAS
WEIRD TOO. BUT THE GUY THAT WAS ON THE PICTURE THAT I DO HAVE, I LOOK LIKE HIM.
MEGAN: WILLIAMSON SAYS SHE CAN'T PUT THE JOY OF LEARNING ABOUT HER FAMILY INTO WORDS. NOW SHE WANTS TO PAY IT FORWARD, TO HELP OTHERS EXPERIENCE
THE SAME.
KANDY WILLIAMSON/ FOUND PHOTOS IN ATTIC: KNOWING WHERE I GET SOME OF THESE TRAITS AND THINGS FROM, IT HAS DEFINITELY MADE ME A MORE CONFIDENT
PERSON, AND STABLE. I CAN BE STABLE FOR MY CHILDREN.
Find Out More
YouTube Video: Tulsa Channel 2 News, Tulsa Woman Finds Memories in Attic | See some of the pictures she found.
Website: Family Tree Kids | Learn how to research and save your family history.