Black O'Kelleys

This YouTube page was created to highlight the many talented family members, personal and historical footage.  Family members are encouraged to subscribe their channels here and to allow us to link videos from your pages.

Our matriarch Ellen Fisher, a Mulatto woman born in 1843, bore children by her O'Kelley slave owners proven thru DNA testing.  Our 1st family reunion was held in St. Louis in the 1930s following the death of the eldest black O’Kelly son, Daniel who died on Christmas day 1930.  His eldest daughter Evelyn/Evelina, suggested holding family reunions that were held until 1940, due to a large number of family members serving overseas during World War II.  Our family served as military police, nurses, WACs, aerial photographers & more during the war.  

The reunions resumed in 1943 & were held yearly to 1968 when due to the large turnouts, the decision was made to host them at hotels bi-annually rather than in homes The tradition continues on today!