Split by Chains, Bound by Blood

The Story of David and Lucy Nelms

Hey GenFriends!

For more than four decades, I have walked the winding paths of our ancestors—paths marked by resilience, loss, courage, and the unbreakable ties of family. Every so often, a story rises from the archives with such force that it refuses to let go. Split by Chains, Bound by Blood: The Story of David and Lucy Nelms is one of those stories.

This book has lived in my heart for years. It carries the voices of my 3rd great‑grandparents, David and Lucy Nelms, whose lives were shaped by enslavement, separation, survival, and the fierce determination to reclaim what was taken. Their story is not just genealogy. It is American history. It is family history. It is a testament to the human spirit.

And now, I’m finally preparing to share it with the world.

I’m Inviting You to Be an Early Reader

Although the full book will not be released until July 28th, I am opening the doors early for a small group of readers who want to preview a portion of the manuscript. Early readers play a powerful role:

• You help shape the conversation around the book.

• You help others discover the story through your reviews.

• You become part of the legacy of David and Lucy Nelms.

If you’ve followed my work, attended my workshops, or shared your own family’s journey with me, you already know how deeply I believe in honoring our ancestors with truth and dignity. This book is my offering to them—and to you.

What Early Readers Will Receive

Early readers will get access to a selected portion of the manuscript before the official release date. You’ll be able to read, reflect, and share your thoughts. When the book launches, you’ll be invited to leave an honest review to help others discover the story.

Your voice matters. Your perspective matters. And your support helps ensure that stories like David and Lucy’s are never forgotten.

Why This Story Matters Now

We live in a time when families are searching for connection, for truth, for the threads that bind us across generations. David and Lucy’s story speaks to:

• the trauma of separation

• the power of memory

• the endurance of love

• the fight to reclaim identity

• the legacy carried by their descendants

Their journey is not just my family’s story—it is a reflection of countless families whose histories were fractured by enslavement and yet held together by hope.

Want to Join the Early Reader Circle?

If you’d like to be among the first to read part of Split by Chains, Bound by Blood, simply let me know. I’ll make sure you receive the early excerpt:

Send your email to Robin R. Foster at robinfoster@genealogyjustask.com.

Thank you for walking this journey with me. Thank you for honoring David and Lucy. And thank you for helping bring their story into the light where it belongs.

Together, we keep their memory alive,

Robin