Forensic Scientists, Genealogists Make Progress In 1921 Graves Investigation

Forensic scientists and genealogists from Intermountain Forensics, the laboratory assisting the City with DNA analysis for the 1921 Graves Investigation, have received nearly 50 more contacts from people who think they may have a connection to the investigation. The surnames and locations of interest were announced April 12.

Related Story: Genealogists Announce Breakthrough In DNA Analysis Of Oaklawn Cemetery Remains

“As work continues to unearth the truth 102 years after the Tulsa Race Massacre, we are inching closer finding answers in an unprecedented identification process, the likes of which have never been undertaken before,” Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum said. “I am thankful for the incredible team at Intermountain Forensics and all of the people who have come forward to share information about their family histories in this significant effort.”

Experts from Intermountain Forensics said they are thankful for the more than 130 people who have connected and shared information with the team on this project and are hopeful more will get involved.

"This project is a blend of community involvement and forensic DNA science,” said Deborah Dilley, Executive Director of Intermountain Forensics. “We are so grateful for the continued support of the community of Tulsa, and specifically to those families who were and are a part of the Greenwood District. Between the forensic DNA analysis and the genealogical investigation, we find ourselves each day a little closer to identifying those remains unearthed at Oaklawn Cemetery."

DNA Analysis Update:

Six new DNA samples are currently undergoing DNA sequencing, with results from that sequencing expected in the next few weeks. Results could lead to additional surnames and locations of interest. One of the gunshot victims, Burial 27, is among those samples being sequenced.

Other burials are continuing to have DNA analyzed, extracted and enriched. DNA samples that move out of these phases will subsequently go into the sequencing phase.

Genealogical Update:

Genealogical work continues on connecting people to the six burials and surnames and locations of interest announced April 12.

Since April 12, surnames and locations of interest for five of the six burials have been updated. The genealogy team is working to connect with community members who have the following surnames and locations of interest in their family trees:

Updated surnames/location for Burial 1:

1. Jones and Medler of Clay County, Mississippi, 1880-1900

Updated surnames/locations for Burial 3:

1. Daniel, Meriwether, Sims, and Bohannon of Coweta County, Georgia, area.
2. Scott and Huntley from Coweta and Troup Counties, Georgia.
3. Robert Benjamin family of Austin County, Texas, in late 1800s.

Additional surnames/locations for Burial 13:

In addition to the surnames listed on April 12, another family of interest has been added (Bremby).

1. Surnames/Locations of Interest #1: Bremby family (also spelled Bembry, Brembry, Brimbry, etc.) of Sealy, Texas, and Austin County, Texas, and nearby Colorado County, Texas. Some of the Texas Bremby family were briefly in Tulsa, so the genealogy team is interested in connecting with Oklahoma community members with any variations of that surname.
2. Surnames/Locations of Interest #2: Maggett
3. Area(s): Mississippi
4. Surnames/Locations of Interest #3: Strong, McGee
5. Area(s): Union Parish, Louisiana, and Texas
6. Surnames/Locations of Interest #4: Still
7. Area(s): Oklahoma during Indian Territory designation

Surnames/locations for Burial 15

1. Surnames/Locations of Interest #1: Holden, Larrimore
2. Area(s): Sabine Parish, Louisiana
3. Surnames/Locations of Interest #2: Luckett, Mayre
4. Area(s): Rapides Parish, Louisiana

Updated surnames/locations for Burial 17

1. Rentie, Kernal, Grayson, Island and Smith families who were Muscogee (Creek) Freedmen in the late 1800s
2. Davis family of Kaufman, Texas, and Okmulgee, Oklahoma, in the early 1900s

Updated surnames/location for Burial 41

1. Alexander of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

People with these names in their family trees are asked to visit http://tulsa1921dna.org and click the “Provide Information” button. People can also get in touch with Intermountain Forensics’ genealogy team by calling (801) 904-2230 (press 3).

A detailed list of burials with surnames and locations of interest for each can be found online at www.cityoftulsa.org/1921graves.