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A difficult part of family history, revealed by a bill of sale. Also, an update on Antrim County voter rolls.

Author Orice Jenkins talks with retired attorney and northern Michigan author Isiah Smith on Friday night at the Alluvion in Traverse City. Jenkins shared with Smith a bill of sale for Smith's great grandfather, who was enslaved. (Photos from the Alluvion, illustration by Ed Ronco)
Photo illustration by Ed Ronco
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Images courtesy of the Alluvion
Author Orice Jenkins talks with retired attorney and northern Michigan author Isiah Smith on Friday night at the Alluvion in Traverse City. Jenkins shared with Smith a bill of sale for Smith's great grandfather, who was enslaved. (Photos from the Alluvion, illustration by Ed Ronco)

Isiah Smith was astonished when an author shared some of his research — a bill of sale that ensalved Smith's great grandfather, just a boy at the time.

The retired attorney and northern Michigan author talks tonight with that author — Orice Jenkins — whose book, "The Early County Massacre: Goolsby vs. The State of Georgia" is set in the county where Smith was born.

We hear from Smith in this episode.

We also get the latest about ongoing tensions between the Antrim County clerk and the state Bureau of Elections.

Reporting from Claire Keenan-Kurgan


Producer: Austin Rowlader
Editing: Steve Junker
Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Ed Ronco is IPR's news director and the local host of "Morning Edition."