Co-Founder, Williamsburg County, South Carolina African American Genealogy Group

Sharon Styles

Sharon Styles began researching her family history in 2008 and is a historian for the Shaw Family of Marlin, Texas. She is a direct descendant of the 435 Freedmen.

Sharon collaborated with the Summerlee Foundation and Texas Historical Commission on the Bull Hill Cemetery Project, leading the genealogical research to identify individuals buried at the site. She partnered with Dr. Nedra Lee to reconnect members of the descendant community and organize the unveiling ceremony for the cemetery’s historic marker. In addition, Sharon is the Executive Producer and co-writer of the PBS documentarySpeak My Name and I Shall Live Again.

Sharon served as Co-Chair of the California African American Genealogy Seminar, is co-founder of the Williamsburg County, South Carolina African American Genealogy Group, a member AAHGS and AAGSNC.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, is happily retired and serves in the Hospitality Ministry at St. Paul Church of Sacramento.