Hi Gail,
I've never done it, but I always thought it is a great idea. Especially if there are family members still in the hometown.

I'm not sure if I understand your question about the slave-owner's family? Is this relating to the reunion? Does your family reunion include the white descendants of the slave-owner? If not, I personally see no need in addressing the name of the slave-owner in your newspaper post. If a number of white people who are the descendants of the slave-owner still live in the same hometown, then I am sure they'll be aware that the newspaper article is about the African-American family. Even if some of them don't, and one of them happen to call you for information, wouldn't that be a VERY interesting conversation? :-)

Melvin