Kinship Concealed: Amish Mennonite and African American Family Connections

by Sharon Cranford, Dwight E Roth

There are two amazing and unlikely narratives in this book. One is the unusual story of Amish immigrant brothers who take divergent paths to distant worlds. Jacob Mast becomes the leading bishop of the Amish of Berks and Chester Counties, Pennsylvania; his brother John abandons his spiritual community and absorbs the values of the North Carolinian South, including slavery. These paths do not converge until, generations later, two descendants meet on a Midwestern college campus. And there lies the second amazing story; how the coauthors, one African American and the other Anglo American discovered their common roots while teaching at Hesston College... Cranford and Roth invite the reader to join their journey of exploration and discovery. There is enough fact to confound and enough mystery to intrigue. They weave together fact and imagination, candor and sympathy, mystery and mysticism into a narrative that begs to be read!

Genres: Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2013

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book written by two people who discovered they were related with common ancestors. Using word of mouth stories from their family members and diligent research, they were able to piece together the story of both of their families to where it was linked to a slave and the son of a slave owner. I found their story to be heartfelt and sincere. What a great thing to have found each other, and in my own county. I commend them for telling a very important story! I'm sure there are similar stories all across this country, and it is so good to hear these stories that bring out truth and promote healing.

[Jonathan Mast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story. Well-researched and written.

[Dnicebear · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Lift every voice and sing..."

I absolutely love this story and that it is true. I especially love that two people find, 'by accident,' they have a common ancestor, and then they work to imagine and piece together the shreds of data that they know. I can imagine better now how someone in the Amish faith could have gone 'astray' to be drawn into the world of slave holding and better picture how totally awful it was to be a slave and to be born into slavery or into a world where racism divides. It is still a miracle to me every time I hear how individual humans live free in spite of slavery or segregation. I love the insights into both families. I thrilled to Charley's introduction to the Black National Anthem. I loved the exploration into the traditional approach to being an Amish healer.

"...till earth and heaven ring, ring with the harmony of liberty..."

[Ingrid Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, but for me it's personal, a wonderful storytelling of ancestors long dead before I was born. Many thanks to the authors, Dwight Roth and Sharon Cranford, for sharing the thorough research and marvelous gift of storytelling.