André Kearns traces Black family history in new genealogy book

André Kearns is publishing Finding Cornerstone Stories, a book that follows his ancestors from colonial Virginia to Washington, D.C., as the U.S. marks its 250th anniversary. The illustrated guide pairs his family’s history with practical advice for readers researching their own roots.

Why it matters: - André Kearns is using his own family tree to show how Black genealogy can recover stories that traditional American history often leaves out. - The book links personal ancestry, slavery, emancipation, the Revolution, Reconstruction and the civil rights era into one family narrative. - Kearns also frames the book as a how-to guide for readers who want to document their own family histories.

What happened: - Kearns is publishing Finding Cornerstone Stories: Uncovering Inspiration in Your Family’s History with American Ancestors®. - The book is tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary and is scheduled for release in September 2026. - The title traces Kearns’ lineage from present-day Washington, D.C., through the American South and back to some of the earliest Africans in colonial Virginia. - Kearns said the project distills more than two decades of research into illustrated essays and practical guidance. - The book goes on sale on or after September 30 at American Ancestors publications and Amazon.

The details: - The book is published by American Ancestors in a 7 x 10 softcover format. - It runs 144 pages and includes illustrations. - The price is $29.95. - The ISBN is 978-0-88082-458-3. - The book is categorized under Reference / Genealogy and History / African American. - Kearns says the work reflects more than 20 years of visits to plantations and gravesites tied to his enslaved ancestors. - The book highlights enslaved and free people of color in Kearns’ lineage, including entrepreneurs, educators, ministers, soldiers and community leaders. - Kearns says those stories show resilience, faith, determination and the broad sweep of his family’s experience in American history.

Between the lines: - The release positions genealogy as more than family research; it presents it as a way to correct historical memory. - American Ancestors is pairing the book with its broader mission around heritage research and documentation, including its 10 Million Names project. - Praise from fellow genealogists and faith leaders suggests the book is being marketed as both a research manual and a narrative work. - The timing around the 250th anniversary gives the book a broader public-history angle beyond one family’s story.

What’s next: - American Ancestors will host a hybrid Boston book launch on Oct. 16, 2026, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. ET at its Family Heritage Experience and online. - The event will include a talk with Kearns, followed by a book sale and signing. - Admission is free, with registration details to be announced at American Ancestors events. - Press kits, review copies and author interview requests are directed to Claire Vail and Michelle McGrath.

The bottom line: - Kearns’ book aims to turn one family’s reconstructed past into a practical roadmap for anyone trying to find their own cornerstone stories.