A New monument in Union County is dedicated to preserving the history of African Americans.

The monument in Elizabeth is part of the "Ancestors Speak 313 Plus Project."

It was formed after the recent discovery of 313 graves in one of New Jersey's oldest cemeteries. 

The 21 foot monument pays tribute to some of the ancestors who were buried there, many of them slaves.

"We believe that ancestors want their stories told and want their names called. And this is a project that the City of Elizabeth has partnered with us on to help us honor our ancestors in this cemetery," says Rev. Wanda Lundy, of Siloam-Hope Presbyterian Church.

The monument bears the names of those buried in the cemetery, some only have partial names.  Many are unknown.