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Researching African American Genealogy: Difference between revisions

Researching African American Genealogy (view source)

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=== Step Two: Gather Family Information  ===
=== Step Two: Gather Family Information  ===
Gather your records (birth certificates, marriage licenses, deeds, etc.) from home sources. Ask relatives for records as well. Older relatives will likely have more records and information than others.  
Gather home sources (birth certificates, marriage licenses, deeds, etc.) and family information. Look in the homes of parents, grandparents, and other relatives. Gather records that show family names; dates of birth, marriage, and death; places; or relationships. Older relatives will likely have more records and information than others.  


Home sources may include: bibles; newspaper clippings; birth, marriage, death certificates; diaries; letters; scrapbooks; etc.
Records may include:  
*Bibles
*Newspaper clippings
*Birth, marriage, death certificates
*Diaries
*Letters
*Scrapbooks
 
Also look at compiled sources for any information about the family.


=== Step Three: Interview Your Relatives  ===
=== Step Three: Interview Your Relatives  ===
Interview relatives, both those who live nearby and those who live faraway. For relatives who live in other states, a phone call and a follow-up letter will work. For nearby relatives, interview them in person at their convenience.
Interview relatives, both those who live nearby and those who live faraway. Interview them either by phone or in person. Make sure to interview the eldest living relatives; their knowledge can often fill in gaps when records become scarce.


When conducting oral interviews:
When conducting oral interviews:
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=== Step Four: Write for Copies of Records  ===
=== Step Four: Write for Copies of Records  ===
With the information learned from the records found and interviews conducted, obtain copies of more records. These records will help prove relationships and extend the family line further.


*Birth, Death, Marriage, Divorce
Such records include:
*Birth, death, marriage, divorce
*Courthouse Information  
*Courthouse Information  
*Land/Probate Deeds, Conveyances, Affidavit of Heirship, Guardianship
*Land/probate deeds, conveyances, affidavit of heirship, guardianship
*Tax Records (includes slave information)  
*Tax records (includes slave information)  
*Voter Registration
*Voter registration
*Social Security Administration
*Social security administration


=== Step Five: Follow Up On Death Record Clues  ===
=== Step Five: Follow Up On Death Record Clues  ===
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*Legal name of descendant  
*Legal name of descendant  
*Marital status  
*Marital status  
*Parent(s) Names(s)  
*Parent(s) names(s)  
*Date and place of birth and death  
*Date and place of birth and death  
*Who verified death  
*Who verified death  
*Funeral Home that handled remains  
*Funeral home that handled remains  
*Cemetery  
*Cemetery  
*Verification of social security number
*Verification of social security number
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Federal census records are taken every ten years and are available from 1790 through 1940. Only the head of household was listed from 1790 to 1840. Starting in 1850, every member of the household was listed. Starting in 1880, relationships to the head of household were added. The 1870 census is the first one in which all African Americans were listed. Some state census records are also available depending on the state.  
Federal census records are taken every ten years and are available from 1790 through 1940. Only the head of household was listed from 1790 to 1840. Starting in 1850, every member of the household was listed. Starting in 1880, relationships to the head of household were added. The 1870 census is the first one in which all African Americans were listed. Some state census records are also available depending on the state.  


Census records list: name, age, race, relationship to head of household, occupation, house number, occupants, literacy, military experience, home/farm ownership, value of property, neighbors and much more.
Census records usually list:  
*Name, age, race
*Relationship to head of household
*Occupation
*House number
*Literacy
*Military experience
*Home/farm ownership
*Value of property


Begin searching with the name of a person you know who would have been included in the 1940 census. If you have trouble finding the person, look for siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles. Most families lived only a few doors from each other.
Begin searching with the name of a person you know who would have been included in the 1940 census. If you have trouble finding the person, look for siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles. Most families lived only a few doors from each other.


==== Search Other Federal Records ====
==== Search Other Federal Records ====
Besides the census, military records are another important federal record to search. African Americans have served in every war. They may be found in Revolutionary War records, Civil War records, and World War I and II records. Pension records offer the most information of any military record.
Besides the census, there are other federal records to look for:
 
*Military records (especially pension records)
Also look for mortality and veteran schedules.
*Morality and veteran schedules
*Social Security Death Index


=== Step Seven: Search State and County Records ===
=== Step Seven: Search State and County Records ===
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In many cases, state and county records are the best sources for finding information. Most states and counties have an archives office. Many of these records are online, but some may only be accessible at the archives.
In many cases, state and county records are the best sources for finding information. Most states and counties have an archives office. Many of these records are online, but some may only be accessible at the archives.


State and county records may include: state censuses, church records, cemetery records, vital records, land and property records, narratives, county histories, directories, voter registration cards, tax lists (this is important for slavery research), wills and probate, criminal and civil proceedings, the Social Security Death Index, etc.
State and county records may include:  
*State censuses
*Church records
*Cemetery records
*Vital records
*Land and property records
*Narratives, histories
*Directories
*Voter registration cards
*Tax lists (this is important for slavery research)
*Wills and probate
*Criminal and civil proceedings


== Related Articles ==
== Related Articles ==
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