Vaughan family facts for kids

The Vaughan family is a special family with members living in both Nigeria and America. This family has a long history, connecting people across the Atlantic Ocean. In Nigeria, some family members are part of important traditional leadership (like chiefs) and successful business groups. In America, they are known as part of the successful and established African-American community.

The Vaughan Family's Beginnings

The Vaughan family story began with Scipio Vaughan and Maria Theresa Conway. Scipio Vaughan was an American freedman, meaning he was a free person who had been enslaved. He came from a royal family of the Owu Egba people in Africa. Maria Theresa Conway had roots in the Catawba people, a Native American group.

Before he passed away, Scipio Vaughan told his two sons, Burrell Churchill Vaughan and James Churchill Vaughan Sr., to go back to his family's homeland in Yorubaland, Nigeria. His sons followed his wishes. They traveled to Nigeria and started the Nigerian branch of the Vaughan family. Meanwhile, their brothers and sisters who stayed in America began the American branch of the family.

Important Nigerian Family Members

The Nigerian side of the Vaughan family has produced many important people. One famous member was Dr. James C. Vaughan Jr.. He was a nationalist, meaning he worked hard for Nigeria's independence and pride.

Another notable person was Kofoworola, Lady Ademola. She was a strong voice for women's rights in Nigeria. She worked to improve the lives of women in her country.

Important American Family Members

The American side of the Vaughan family also has many well-known members. One is Jewel Lafontant-Mankarious. She was a high-ranking official in the U.S. government.

Her son, John W. Rogers Jr., is also a very successful person. He is a well-known businessman.

The Vaughan Family Today

Today, the Vaughan family continues to be very successful. Whether they live in Nigeria or America, family members have become doctors, lawyers, businesspeople, and politicians.

Connecting Across Continents

The American branch of the family started a special project to find their African roots. They wanted to reunite with their relatives in Nigeria. In 1970, some Vaughans met in Pittsburgh and decided to hold a family reunion every year. They used old family records and research from a family member named Aida Arabella Stradford to find more relatives.

Now, the American Vaughans are a large network of over 3,000 cousins! They live in more than 22 different states. They have traced their family lines back to eight main groups: Barnes, Brevard, Bufford, Cauthen, McGriff, Peay, Truesdale, and Vaughan.

The Nigerian branch of the family has also been very active. They played a role in politics during the time Nigeria was becoming independent. They were also important in the women's movement. Many Nigerian Vaughans have married into royal families in Nigeria. Some well-known Nigerian Vaughan family lines include Vaughan, Coker, Moore, and Vaughan-Richards.

The Nigerian and American Vaughans have stayed in touch over the years. Today, Nigerian family members often travel to America to join the "Cousin" reunions. This shows the strong bond that connects this family across the world.

Gallery

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  Kofoworola, Lady Ademola, a member of the Nigerian branch

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  John W. Rogers, Jr., a member of the American branch

See also

• Bustill family
• Quander family
• Ransome-Kuti family
• Syphax family