Uncovering the Lost: The Quest to Identify Victims of the Tulsa Race Massacre

In the aftermath of one of America’s deadliest racial tragedies, the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, the search to identify its victims has persisted for over a century. Recent breakthroughs offer renewed hope to descendants like Jeanette Batchelor-Young, whose quest for familial roots unexpectedly intersected with Tulsa’s haunting past.

Jeanette Batchelor-Young, 64, has long sought answers about her paternal lineage, a journey complicated by her adoption and a lack of familial records. Her journey took a profound turn when a forensic lab contacted her, revealing a potential link to victims of the Tulsa Race Massacre through DNA analysis.

The massacre, a brutal assault on Tulsa’s prosperous Greenwood district, left an indelible mark on American history. While estimates of the death toll vary widely, efforts to bring closure have intensified with recent excavations at Oaklawn Cemetery in Tulsa, unearthing remains from suspected mass graves.

Since 2020, these excavations have marked a pivotal moment in revealing the truth behind this historical tragedy. Advances in forensic science and genetic genealogy now offer a glimmer of hope in identifying individuals whose lives were lost and whose stories were erased from public memory.

Alison Wilde, leading the genetic genealogy program at Intermountain Forensics, emphasizes the significance of these efforts: “Each positive identification brings us closer to restoring dignity and recognition to those who perished, often under tragic circumstances.”

The painstaking process involves comparing DNA from exhumed remains with samples from living descendants nationwide. Walter Richard Harrington II, upon discovering his connection to Burial 13 through DNA, reflects on the emotional impact: “Finding this link has reignited interest within my family to uncover our history, particularly regarding relatives possibly affected by the massacre.”

Despite challenges posed by sparse records and faded memories, researchers remain dedicated to their mission. They strive not only to identify victims but also to piece together the stories of lives abruptly cut short, shedding light on a chapter of American history often shrouded in silence and neglect.

The Tulsa Race Massacre, sparked by unfounded accusations and racial hostility, reduced Greenwood—once a thriving Black community known as Black Wall Street—to ruins. In its aftermath, survivors scattered, and records were deliberately obscured, leaving families without closure for generations.

For Jeanette Batchelor-Young, each revelation, whether directly linked to the massacre or not, represents a crucial step toward reclaiming her identity and heritage. “Learning about my family’s past in Tulsa has given me a sense of belonging,” she shares. “It’s a profound journey that connects me to a history that’s both painful and resilient.”

As Tulsa continues to confront its past and honor the memory of those lost, the ongoing quest to identify long-lost identities serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring pursuit of justice and remembrance.