S08 E28: Restoring Leana – The Story Behind the Lambeth Childrens' Portrait

Описание: Historian and genealogist Ja’el Gordon returns to Genealogy Adventures with Brian Sheffey and Donya Williams to share the remarkable journey of uncovering the identity of Leana - the enslaved woman long depicted in the famous Lambeth Children portrait, now housed at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

For generations, Leana was a silent figure in the painting, positioned alongside the white Lambeth children yet left nameless and unacknowledged in the historical record. Ja’el’s meticulous research finally gave her a name, a story, and a place in history.

This episode dives into why the portrait matters: it’s one of the rare visual records of an enslaved person painted during their lifetime, offering a rare glimpse into the reality of slavery’s presence in elite American households. Leana’s inclusion - both visible and marginalized - symbolizes the dual reality of being integral to a family’s daily life yet denied recognition or humanity. Restoring her identity is not just about one woman; it’s about challenging erasure, reclaiming history, and honoring the lives that shaped our shared past.

From the painstaking genealogical work to the emotional impact of seeing Leana’s legacy restored, this is a moving story of remembrance, truth-telling, and the power of research to restore dignity to the forgotten.