Local author Shellie Moore Guy presents her family’s inspiring journey of resilience and perseverance, as told in her children’s book, The Family Tree, Saturday, April 20 at the Rock Island Watts-Midtown Branch.

The free event is at 11 am April 20 in the Watts-Midtown Branch auditorium, 2715 30^th Street. The book, written by Guy and illustrated by Gwen Ballard Patton, tells the story of brothers Charley Wilson and Sandy Terry who escaped enslavement in Kentucky to fight for the Union Army in the Civil War. Wilson, who is Guy’s great-great-grandparent, settled in Rock Island with his family after the war. He later moved to Port Byron. In 1914, John Hauberg interviewed Wilson about his life under slavery and his journey to freedom.

Guy is a life-long resident of Rock Island. As part of her background as a storyteller, artist, community activist, and advocate, Guy wrote the book to educate the community and share her family’s stories, particularly those of the Black soldiers in the 108^th Regiment of the United States Colored Infantry. The National Park Service website states that the regiment was organized at Louisville, Kentucky on June 20, 1864, and served in action, garrison, and guard duty at various points, including the Rock Island Prison Camp. The unit mustered out March 21, 1866. 

“As much as slavery is a tough topic, there are stories within stories that help us learn about resilience, perseverance, and faith,” said Guy.” In the author’s note to The Family Tree, she wrote, “Our story reflects the stories of many African American families in the United States and it is my hope that this labor of love will provide the readers of this book a sense of history as well as a source of personal inspiration, encouragement, and pride.”

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