DNA Testing May Reveal Victims of Tulsa Race Massacre, Connecting Families to Their Past
Jeanette Batchelor-Young’s journey to uncover her family history took a jarring turn when she received a message from a forensic lab. The message revealed that she might be a relative of one of the victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Her DNA matched the remains of a woman exhumed from Oaklawn Cemetery, a site of a mass gravesite where victims of the massacre were buried. This discovery rewrites Batchelor-Young’s understanding of her family’s lineage, revealing a possible link to one of the most horrific racial attacks in American history. This groundbreaking connection highlights the ongoing efforts to identify victims of the massacre and uncover the truth about their fates.
Key Takeaways:
- DNA analysis of remains exhumed from Oaklawn Cemetery, a possible mass burial site of Tulsa Race Massacre victims, is connecting living relatives to their ancestors.
- Batchelor-Young’s DNA matches that of Burial 13, the remains of a woman exhumed from the cemetery, revealing a possible connection to one of the victims.
- This discovery is part of a larger effort to identify the victims of the massacre and provide closure for families who lost loved ones.
- Researchers are urging families with surnames potentially linked to the victims and a history in Tulsa to submit their DNA to aid in the identification process.
- This discovery raises crucial questions about the massacre’s impact on families and the enduring legacy of racial violence in America.
Unveiling the Untold Story
The Tulsa Race Massacre, occurring on May 31, 1921, left the thriving Black community of Greenwood district in ruins. This devastating event resulted in an estimated death toll of between 36 and 300 people, with many survivors scattered across the country. Despite attempts to document the tragedy, records were lost, and many of the victims were buried in unmarked graves.
In 2020, the City of Tulsa began excavating a section of Oaklawn Cemetery where evidence of a mass gravesite emerged. This excavation marked a crucial step towards unveiling the truth about the massacre, aiming not just to identify the victims, but to uncover the stories of those lost.
The investigation is a complex undertaking, relying on cutting-edge scientific techniques combined with historical records and family memories. Researchers are utilizing investigative genetic genealogy, a method that has been used to solve cold cases for years, to match DNA samples extracted from exhumed remains with those in national DNA databases.
Connecting the Pieces
The project has already yielded significant results. DNA profiles of 22 individuals have been established, leading to the identification of 19 potential surnames across seven states. These families, with their Tulsa history and possible connection to the victims, are being encouraged to submit their DNA and share their stories, giving researchers valuable information to confirm potential matches.
Walter Richard Harrington II, a retired library employee living near Cleveland, became one of the first individuals to be connected to the excavation. His DNA matched that of Burial 13, the remains of a woman believed to be his mother’s aunt. This discovery brought a wave of personal history to light, prompting Harrington to search for more information about his family’s past and potentially learn about what happened to his aunt during the massacre.
Beyond Closure, Justice
The process of identifying the victims of the Tulsa Race Massacre is not merely about providing closure for families, but also about pushing for accountability and addressing the legacy of racial violence. This effort is bringing the stories of individuals lost to history back into the spotlight, helping to remember their names and recognize the impact this tragedy had on their lives and the community.
The Tulsa Race Massacre remains a significant reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial justice in America. The discovery of the possible connection between Batchelor-Young’s family and a victim of the massacre emphasizes how deeply these events continue to affect communities and families, even a century later. This initiative aims to ensure that the stories of those who perished are not forgotten, and their lives are remembered and honored.
This project highlights the power of collaborative efforts, combining scientific advancements with community involvement to unveil the truth about historical tragedies. As more families connect with their ancestors through DNA testing, the story of the Tulsa Race Massacre unfolds, reminding us of the importance of remembering the past to build a more just future.
