The book is structured with 18 numbered chapters interwoven with sections titled "Mandy," which represent the first-person narrative of the family's ancestral enslaved woman. The narrative begins with a prologue establishing the West African griot tradition.
Chapter structure
The structure suggests a multi-generational family saga: Opening: A prologue introduces the story, followed by the first "Mandy" section Early chapters (1-3): Focus on family storytelling traditions - "The New Griotte," "The Box," and exploring "Family Stories" and "Footsteps" Middle sections (4-9): Chronicle the research journey through various locations and discoveries, including "Living History," experiences in the Jim Crow South, encounters with "The Dentist," explorations of "Beads," "The Castle," and "The Museum," plus a chapter on "Visiting" Later chapters (10-16): Delve deeper into historical recovery, including searching for "the President's Son," learning about "Elizabeth" (likely another ancestor), exploring themes of freedom, honoring "Gramps," and uncovering "The Plantation's Tale" Conclusion: Reflects on "History, Heritage, Memory" Key chapters include "Destination Jim Crow," which was previously published in the Fall 2013 issue of River Teeth Journal; "In Search of the President's Son"; and "The Plantation's Tale." The book concludes with "History, Heritage, Memory," followed by acknowledgments and resources for further research. The interwoven "Mandy" sections serve as the ancestral touchstone throughout this journey of family discovery, connecting the contemporary genealogical research to the historical enslaved experience. The book blends personal memoir with historical recovery, tracing connections between the Madison presidential family and their enslaved ancestors.
