Join Sussex County Genealogical Society (SCGS) in-person at the library or online for a presentation by Chris Slavens, author of 1742: The True Story of the Nanticoke Indians Plot to Unite the Tribes, Massacre the English and Take Back the Eastern Shore. 1742 traces the history of the Nanticoke Indians and other Eastern Shore tribes from their first contact with English colonists through decades of bloody conflict and bitter concessions, revealing a simmering resistance which boiled over during what historian C.A. Weslager called "the most important single event in Indian history on the Delmarva Peninsula." Slavens began researching the near uprising in 2013, excited to discover it had occurred near his home at Whaley’s Crossroads, several miles east of Laurel.

Chris Slavens lives in Laurel, Delaware. He is the author of The Roofed Graves of Delmarva and Peninsula Roots; has contributed to numerous publications including the News Journal, the Epoch Times, and the Laurel Star; and has been featured on WBOC's DelmarvaLife. Currently, Chris serves on the board of directors of the Laurel Historical Society, and produces the society's newsletter. He is also a member of the Archaeological Society of Delaware and the Independent Book Publishers Association. In 2020, Chris founded Bald Cypress Books, a small publishing imprint dedicated to the history and folklore of the Delmarva Peninsula, and has since published seven titles including four historical reprints. In addition to writing and publishing, he enjoys collecting books, raising backyard chickens, gardening, hunting, and playing bass guitar.

SCGS is a non-profit organization and its mission is to promote genealogy and educational work in a professional manner, encourage and instruct its members in genealogical research through careful documentation and maintain quality genealogical standards.

NOTE: this session is available to attend in-person or through Zoom. You MUST REGISTER and indicate which you prefer.

If you need assistance with registration or getting your Zoom invitation, please contact the library. Basic written instructions for using Zoom may be found here and a brief video tutorial may be found here.

For more information, visit the SCGS website. This program is co-sponsored by the Lewes Public Library.