Debra Newton-Carter

I attribute my success to finding my “tribe” and staying consistent with a vital message: that free people of color served with honor in the American Revolution. This journey took a major step forward when my research blog was recognized by the North Carolina Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NCSSAR). This led me to help establish the Patriot Isaac Carter Chapter in 2016—the only chapter in the world named after a Black “Forgotten Patriot.”

My husband was inducted as a fellow charter member of that chapter alongside Ric Murphy, who later established the Society of the First African Families of English America (SOFAFEA) in 2019. This community of historians gave me the platform to amplify overlooked narratives. My passion is deeply personal; my husband grew up believing that all Black Americans of that era were enslaved. When my research revealed his own ancestors were free military men, it filled him with a pride that stayed with him for the rest of his life. Seeing that transformation in him—and now in the descendants I assist—is the true engine behind my success

The best advice I've ever received came from my mother, who served as an assistant editor for the Journal of Social Issues and later as an undergraduate secretary in the English Department at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst. She told me two things: back it up three ways, and verify, verify, verify. That is my mantra when working with my teams. Those principles have guided all of my research and editorial work.

If you’re just starting out, my best advice is to find a mentor—someone who knows the records deeply but also has the imagination to see the 'person' behind the paperwork. A great mentor helps you move beyond listing names and dates to truly understanding what life was like for your ancestors. That is how you bring a story to life.

Don’t research in a vacuum; build a community. Engage with active Facebook groups where researchers solve puzzles together, or join lineage societies like the DAR or SAR. Even if your ancestor wasn't in the military, there are countless genealogy, writing, and lineage groups where you can find peers with similar interests and deep expertise.

Finally, lean on your local resources. My journey began with a librarian in a local history department who personally showed me the ropes. Whether it’s a town library or a regional history room, connecting with people who have years of experience in the records is your best shortcut to success.

The biggest challenge in my field right now is the shifting landscape of how we access our history. As researchers, we rely heavily on digital archives to verify the past, but we are seeing significant changes in how federal institutions, like the Library of Congress and the National Park Service, manage these online resources. When digital records are reorganized or moved, it creates a “moving target” that requires a great deal of persistence to navigate.

At the same time, the general public and our descendants rely on museums for the tangible side of history. There is a very real concern when physical displays are removed or archives are altered, because history needs to be something we can experience in person. Research truly comes to life when you can take your children to a museum and let them interact with the tangible evidence of their heritage.

The great opportunity, however, is the growth of local digitization. While national databases are in flux, smaller courthouses and local history rooms are receiving grants to put their 'hidden' records online. In Massachusetts, we have an incredible wealth of original records dating back to the 1600s. My goal is to use these digital tools to protect the tangible stories of the past, ensuring they remain accessible and real for the generations to come.

I'd say faith, having an inquisitive mind, and connection with people are the most important values to me in my work and personal life. These values guide everything I do, from my research to my relationships with family and colleagues.