The Virginia Freedmen Project was started in the fall 2004 as a simple Black History Month project to be delivered as a presentation in February 2005 centered around family history and the genealogical records of the Freedman's Bank. However, the Virginia Freedmen Project and its highly acclaimed free of charge "Whispers from the Dust" presentation has been presented to hundreds of people throughout Virginia. Audiences are enthusiastic after seeing "Whispers from the Dust" to do their own family history and genealogy work. The Virginia Freedmen Project has expanded greatly from its initial charge to include not only presentations, but research and develpment of various projects that help African Americans to better understand their roots and to trace their family histories and to find their ancestors. Our mission is to encourage families, particularly those within the African American community, to discover their genealogy and family history. We are pleased to offer our services to the community in which we live to.