Ep 2. Finding Freedom in South Jersey

Roots Less Traveled season 2 episode 2, titled Finding Freedom in South Jersey, follows a family on a journey to uncover their ancestors' history in the area of New Jersey known as the Pine Barrens. The episode features host Faruq Tauheed guiding the family on their journey to discover their family's roots and shed light on the lives of their predecessors.

The family begins their adventure in Atlantic City, where they learn about the historic African American community that once thrived there. They visit the city's Civil Rights Garden, which honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders. The family is amazed to discover that one of their ancestors, a woman named Henrietta, was a member of a civil rights group in Atlantic City.

Next, the family travels to the Pine Barrens, a remote and mysterious region that has long been associated with the Underground Railroad. Their first stop is the Batsto Village, a preserved 19th-century iron-making village that was once a stop on the Underground Railroad. Here, the family learns about the history of the village and the key role it played in helping enslaved people escape to freedom. They also meet with a local historian who shows them documents and artifacts related to the Underground Railroad in the area.

The family continues their journey by visiting a historic African American church built in the 1800s. They learn about the church's role in the lives of African Americans in the Pine Barrens, and they are amazed to discover that another of their ancestors, a man named Abram, was a member of the church and may have been involved in helping enslaved people escape to freedom.

The family's final stop is a visit to the grave of one of their ancestors, a woman named Harriet. Harriet was born into slavery in the mid-1800s and lived her entire life in the Pine Barrens. Her descendants are now able to honor her memory and pay tribute to her legacy.

Throughout the episode, the family is filled with emotion as they learn about their ancestors' struggles and triumphs. They are proud to discover that their family played a role in the fight for civil rights and that their ancestors were involved in helping enslaved people escape to freedom. They also reflect on the hardships their ancestors faced and are grateful for the sacrifices they made so that their descendants could live freely today.

Overall, Finding Freedom in South Jersey is a moving and informative episode of Roots Less Traveled that shines a light on a little-known part of American history. The episode is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit and the power of family and community to overcome adversity.