GeneRise7
Presents
The Footprint of Seven living Generations of an African American Family
Who is GeneRise 7
"We are Rooted in Legacy and United in Purpose. Guided by the vision and dedication of our five founding members, we are committed to safeguarding and celebrating our family's profound heritage spanning seven generations. Through deliberate stewardship, we foster resilience, amplify diverse voices, and ignite transformative change for the benefit of our future generations."
The Footprint of Seven Living Generations of an African American Family
Leora Aycock, hailing from Wayne County, NC, was introduced to the world in the 1890’s. Family rooted from a Freemont plantation, carrying the surname of the confederate supremacist and 1901 Governor of North Carolina, Charles B. Aycock, she may never have fathomed that her legacy and lineage would survive to see SEVEN LIVING GENERATIONS. Our mother and grandmother, our link, left this land early at the age of 48 but not before bearing many children with her husband, Simon Crawford. One of her children, Alma Crawford Williams, is still alive today at 103 years old (in May). From there a long tale and trail follows the oldest living child beginning with her still thriving and vibrant niece, our grandmother, Leola Dickerson Shockley, who crested 90 in March of 2024.
We are the world's first, and record breaking, documented seven living generations of an African American family. Within us lies an unmatchable lineage!
We are the world's first, and record breaking, documented seven living generations of an African American family. Within us lies an unmatchable lineage!
Recognize the First Recorded Seven Living Generations of an African American Family
It's time for us to share this remarkable achievement with the world. By signing this petition, you're supporting us in gaining global recognition, to push Guinness Book of World Records to add a category and record us as the record breakers and helping us spread a message of hope and resilience far beyond borders. Please sign this petition today!
.jpg)
Celebrating 103 Years
Alma Williams, the eldest living member of the seven generation family, will be an amazing 103 years young on May 3rd, 2024! Last year she was given the centennial award from NC's state governor. She was born from Leora Aycock and Simon Crawford and has resided in Wayne County, NC her entire life. Her mother died early at 48 and worked as a housekeeper. Simon Crawford, her father passed many years later and was a school teacher.
Alma and her oldest sister, Pauline, continued raising themselves and all of their children and children's children together in the same home their parent's left them until the 1950's. Alma still has 3 living children and a long lineage of grands, nieces and nephews.
She is an amazing pillar of her community and is still an active member of her home church, Mt. Calvary Mission Baptist Church in Goldsboro, NC. In 2023, Alma Williams received the North Carolina's Governor Centennial Award.
Her niece, Leola Dickerson Shockley, the oldest of the second generation of seven, will also be in attendance for her aunt's celebration. At 90 years old, Leola still lives independently, walks to her local stores and pharmacies and is also an active member of her place of worship, Greater Mt. Olive Full Gospel Church in Cambridge, Maryland.
What a phenomenal reunion!
Both women have an extensive, amazing lineage of children, grands and greats, nieces and nephews. Many, many trees of their branches house multiple six generation families that lead into the current and future generation seven.
What a phenomenal reunion!
Both women have an extensive, amazing lineage of children, grands and greats, nieces and nephews. Many, many trees of their branches house multiple six generation families that lead into the current and future generation seven.
As Seen and Featured
