24,019
edits
Researching African American Genealogy: Difference between revisions
Researching African American Genealogy (view source)
Revision as of 11:43, 19 October 2018
, 19 October 2018Reorganizing and fixing breadcrumb
(→External Links: Added link) |
Beccac1229 (talk | contribs) (Reorganizing and fixing breadcrumb) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{AfrAm-sidebar}} | {{AfrAm-sidebar}}{{breadcrumb | ||
| link1=[[United States]] | |||
| link2=[[African American Genealogy|African American Genealogy]] | |||
| link3= | |||
| link4= | |||
| link5=[[Researching African American Genealogy|Research Steps]] | |||
}} | |||
{{Click|Image:AA_ORP.png|African_American_Online_Genealogy_Records}} | {{Click|Image:AA_ORP.png|African_American_Online_Genealogy_Records}} | ||
It is important to note that no matter how much time and money you spend on your research, unless you are organized, you will frustrate yourself and your opportunity for finding the truth about your family. Leave those tiny slips of paper alone and get software to help you keep track of which branches actually have leaves and which ones do not. There are a good number of quality Family Tree software companies who will allow you to download their software for free. Take advantage of the opportunity and get started today! | == Introduction == | ||
It is important to note that no matter how much time and money you spend on your research, unless you are organized, you will frustrate yourself and your opportunity for finding the truth about your family. Leave those tiny slips of paper alone and get software to help you keep track of which branches actually have leaves and which ones do not. There are a good number of quality Family Tree software companies who will allow you to download their software for free. Take advantage of the opportunity and get started today! | |||
== Research Steps == | |||
There are seven easy steps to begin your research: | There are seven easy steps to begin your research: | ||
| Line 62: | Line 70: | ||
Most states have an Archives Office that each county routinely sends information to. This is done to free space at the local level as well as to preserve the history of each locale. | Most states have an Archives Office that each county routinely sends information to. This is done to free space at the local level as well as to preserve the history of each locale. | ||
== What You Will Find == | |||
What you will find in interviewing members of the family is that African Americans often use nicknames instead of proper birth names. Many of us don't know the "real" names of our family members. This tradition is a direct result of slavery. Families in bondage gave each child a "secret" name so that if the family were ever separated and later rejoined, this "secret" name would be the unique identifier for reuniting. | What you will find in interviewing members of the family is that African Americans often use nicknames instead of proper birth names. Many of us don't know the "real" names of our family members. This tradition is a direct result of slavery. Families in bondage gave each child a "secret" name so that if the family were ever separated and later rejoined, this "secret" name would be the unique identifier for reuniting. | ||
| Line 70: | Line 78: | ||
As you prepare for the interview, be mindful that there are some very deep, embarrassing, painful family secrets that relatives might not be willing to share right away, so tread lightly. For you, stirring up pain, waking the dead, shaking the leaves and branches of your tree might not be your intention but for the person who hasn't let go and or chooses to forget...it isn't just that simple. Establishing a mutually trusting, caring relationship must come first and hopefully one day you'll learn the real reason of how and why Uncle Joe was your uncle and your grandfather. | As you prepare for the interview, be mindful that there are some very deep, embarrassing, painful family secrets that relatives might not be willing to share right away, so tread lightly. For you, stirring up pain, waking the dead, shaking the leaves and branches of your tree might not be your intention but for the person who hasn't let go and or chooses to forget...it isn't just that simple. Establishing a mutually trusting, caring relationship must come first and hopefully one day you'll learn the real reason of how and why Uncle Joe was your uncle and your grandfather. | ||
== | == Websites == | ||
*http://www.afrigeneas.com/ | *http://www.afrigeneas.com/ | ||
| Line 80: | Line 88: | ||
*http://www.slaverysite.com/Body/genealogy.htm | *http://www.slaverysite.com/Body/genealogy.htm | ||
== Resources == | |||
*Thomas, Kenneth H., Jr. "A note on the Pitfalls of Black Genealogy: The Origins of Black Surnames." Georgia Archives 6 (Spring 1978:23-30. | *Thomas, Kenneth H., Jr. "A note on the Pitfalls of Black Genealogy: The Origins of Black Surnames." Georgia Archives 6 (Spring 1978:23-30. | ||