Alachua County Historian Liz Jenkins
| July 25, 2007 | ||
| 8:00 pm |
Learn about Alachua County history from local author Liz Jenkins Wednesday evening, July 25th at 8pm at the Civic Media Center. Born to an Archer, Florida family who have lived in Alachua County since the late 1800’s, Ms Jenkins is a lifelong historian, and for this book interviewed and collected many family histories to
assemble a picture of the evolution and development of Alachua County and the life and role of its Black citizens. She will have copies of her new book “Alachua County Florida” there at the CMC. The event is free and open to the public, a donation will be requested to support the non-profit Civic Media Center.
For more info on Liz Jenkins’ previous books and information on Rosewood, visit www.rosewoodflorida.com
An interview with Liz Jenkins, author of “Alachua County Florida”
What was your inspiration for writing the book?
I was inspired to write this book because of a strong interest in keeping history alive as dictated and strongly encouraged by my family. My great grandmother was a storyteller, which was passed down to my
grandmother, my mother, and on to me, the current family historian. From those self-defining stories, my character was shaped, dreams were born, and goals achieved.
How did you research the information for the book?
I traveled throughout Alachua County interviewing residents to capture their family’s contributions which helped shaped the important history of Alachua County. I made telephone calls to some citizens who put me in
touch with descendants giving permission to share family history.
What will readers find interesting about the book?
The facts used in this book will educate readers to know that Black residents were an integral part of the building of Alachua County. This information shared and collected is a very small part of Alachua County
Black history. The images used in this book reflect family strength, morals, unity, work ethics, and tell a profound story about Blacks in Alachua County dating back to early eighteen hundred. Readers are
reminded of the collaborate struggles it took earlier building and safekeeping family traditions creating legacies.
What writing advice would you give to aspiring authors and historians?
Research and documentation are foremost. Authors of history are examples of truth in print. History is a true story representing who we are, not what we own. Write to share and teach a lesson leaving a long-term
memory. Write from researched facts supported by your evidence when necessary. Never used another writer’s work and claim ownership.
What lasting impact do you hope your book will leave?
I hope this book will inspire to create new young writers. Leaving a lasting impact on readers, is nothing less than creating a new history writer, “I can do that, too.” I hope to impact young readers’ lives inspiring them to dream and set goals. They can start by interviewing their living ancestors documenting family history. Unless we remember and share history, our children will not understand and value history. We did not create the violence in history, however, we cannot change its manifestation. Interested parents reading this book should encourage their children and grandchildren to start an interviewing process to collect family history, school history, and church history, if applicable.