73,385
edits
Quick Guide to African American Records (view source)
Revision as of 13:24, 31 January 2009
, 31 January 2009add category
No edit summary |
(add category) |
||
| Line 312: | Line 312: | ||
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
* Search as many kinds of records as you can find to document the lives of your family back to 1870. | *Search as many kinds of records as you can find to document the lives of your family back to 1870. | ||
* Study the lives of all family members, including aunts, uncles, and cousins—not just your direct ancestors. | *Study the lives of all family members, including aunts, uncles, and cousins—not just your direct ancestors. | ||
* Look for changing surnames. Some African Americans changed surnames several times. If you can’t find your family in a census record, but you know the family’s location at the time of the census, look for first names and approximate ages of family members. You may find a match. | *Look for changing surnames. Some African Americans changed surnames several times. If you can’t find your family in a census record, but you know the family’s location at the time of the census, look for first names and approximate ages of family members. You may find a match. | ||
* If your ancestor is not listed in an index, check the original records anyway. Some indexes do not include African Americans. | *If your ancestor is not listed in an index, check the original records anyway. Some indexes do not include African Americans. | ||
* Understand that some old records may have described your ancestor in terms used at the time that are not appropriate. | *Understand that some old records may have described your ancestor in terms used at the time that are not appropriate. | ||
* African Americans may be listed in "colored" registers. You may also see the abbreviation "Col" next to your ancestor’s name. | *African Americans may be listed in "colored" registers. You may also see the abbreviation "Col" next to your ancestor’s name. | ||
* If your ancestor is not in a "colored" register, try the "white" register. Your ancestor’s race may not have been accurately recorded. | *If your ancestor is not in a "colored" register, try the "white" register. Your ancestor’s race may not have been accurately recorded. | ||
[[Category:African-American]] | [[Category:African-American]] [[Category:Melungeons]] | ||