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Quick Guide to African American Records: Difference between revisions

Quick Guide to African American Records (view source)

Revision as of 16:22, 18 June 2024

256 bytes added ,  18 June 2024
I changed references to "slaves" and "slave owners" to confirm with current practices in writing about slavery (using enslaved persons, the enslaved, and slaveholder).
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(I changed references to "slaves" and "slave owners" to confirm with current practices in writing about slavery (using enslaved persons, the enslaved, and slaveholder).)
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*Searching Recent Records  
*Searching Recent Records  
*Searching Transition Records from Slavery to Freedom  
*Searching Transition Records from Slavery to Freedom  
*Searching Records for Slaves
*Searching Records for Enslaved Persons
Most of these records are available through the [https://www.familysearch.org/ FamilySearch] or other similar websites, such as [https://www.ancestry.com/ Ancestry] and [https://www.myheritage.com/ MyHeritage].  
Most of these records are available through the [https://www.familysearch.org/ FamilySearch] or other similar websites, such as [https://www.ancestry.com/ Ancestry] and [https://www.myheritage.com/ MyHeritage].  


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For information about [[Melungeons]], tri-racial families, African Americans with Native American ancestry, and free people of color see the Taylor bibliography, pages 54–56. <br>  
For information about [[Melungeons]], tri-racial families, African Americans with Native American ancestry, and free people of color see the Taylor bibliography, pages 54–56. <br>  


The following records can help you determine if an ancestor was born free or freed by a slave owner.  
The following records can help you determine if an ancestor was born free or freed by a slaveholder.  


:*[[United States Census|Federal censuses, 1790–1860]]. Any ancestor listed in the federal population schedule was free.  
:*[[United States Census|Federal censuses, 1790–1860]]. Any ancestor listed in the federal population schedule was free.  
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== Searching Transition Records from Slavery to Freedom  ==
== Searching Transition Records from Slavery to Freedom  ==
For more instructions on finding African American families in records, see [https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/tracing-africanamerican-ancestors/ Tracing Your African-American Ancestors].
For more instructions on finding African American families in records, see [https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/tracing-africanamerican-ancestors/ Tracing Your African-American Ancestors].
*[https://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/ghl/genealogy/finding-slave-records State Library of North Carolina: How to Find Slave Records]  
*[https://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/ghl/genealogy/finding-slave-records State Library of North Carolina: How to Find Records of Enslaved Persons]


=== Records of the Underground Railroad  ===
=== Records of the Underground Railroad  ===
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=== Making the Slavery Connection  ===
=== Making the Slavery Connection  ===


[[Image:James Hopkinsons Plantation Slaves Planting Sweet Potatoes.jpg|thumb|right|400px|<center>James Hopkinson's plantation slaves planting sweet potatoes</center>]]You must first identify the slave owner, and then study the owner’s records for clues to your family. Correctly identifying your ancestor in records of the enslaved can be difficult. Professional researchers are successful only about 50 percent of the time.<br><br>  
[[Image:James Hopkinsons Plantation Slaves Planting Sweet Potatoes.jpg|thumb|right|400px|<center>James Hopkinson's plantation enslaved persons planting sweet potatoes</center>]]You must first identify the slaveholder, and then study the owner’s records for clues to your family. Correctly identifying your ancestor in records of the enslaved can be difficult. Professional researchers are successful only about 50 percent of the time.<br><br>  


Keep in mind that only about 15 percent of the formerly enslaved took their last slave owner’s surname. Some took the surname of people they admired, such as Lincoln or Washington, and some took a surname they had been using for many years without the knowledge of the slave owner.
Keep in mind that only about 15 percent of the formerly enslaved took their last slaveholder’s surname. Some took the surname of people they admired, such as Lincoln or Washington, and some took a surname they had been using for many years without the knowledge of the slaveholder.


*'''[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Southern_States_Slavery_and_Bondage_Collections Southern States Slavery and Bondage Collections in the Family Search Catalog]'''
*'''[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/Southern_States_Slavery_and_Bondage_Collections Southern States Slavery and Bondage Collections in the Family Search Catalog]'''
*'''[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/North_Carolina_Slavery_and_Bondage_Collection North Carolina Slavery and Bondage Collections in the Family Search Catalog]'''
*'''[https://www.familysearch.org/wiki/en/North_Carolina_Slavery_and_Bondage_Collection North Carolina Slavery and Bondage Collections in the Family Search Catalog]'''


=== Sources for identifying the slave owner ===
=== Sources for Identifying a Slaveholder ===


==== Military Records  ====
==== Military Records  ====


[[United States Colored Troops in the Civil War|United States Colored Troops (USCT) in Civil War service]] and pension records. These records list the date and place of birth of the soldier and may name the last slave owner.  
[[United States Colored Troops in the Civil War|United States Colored Troops (USCT) in Civil War service]] and pension records. These records list the date and place of birth of the soldier and may name the last slaveholder.  


Other useful military records:  
Other useful military records:  
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:*Nearly 22,300 cases are filed by individuals, family groups, churches, and businesses.  
:*Nearly 22,300 cases are filed by individuals, family groups, churches, and businesses.  
:*Case files include items such as family letters and Bibles, wills, probate records, personal accounts, property inventories, and other genealogical data.  
:*Case files include items such as family letters and Bibles, wills, probate records, personal accounts, property inventories, and other genealogical data.  
:*These records can help you learn if an ancestor had been a slave.  
:*These records can help you learn if an ancestor had been enslaved.
:*Records include testimony of neighbors, relatives, and former slaves to support a claimant’s assertion that he or she is due repayment for property taken during the Civil War because of loyalty to the Union.
:*Records include testimony of neighbors, relatives, and formerly enslaved persons to support a claimant’s assertion that he or she is due repayment for property taken during the Civil War because of loyalty to the Union.


A master index to these case files is:  
A master index to these case files is:  
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==== American Slave Narratives  ====
==== American Slave Narratives  ====


In the 1930s the WPA Writers Project compiled over 3,500 typescript interviews of former American slaves. Access and indexes are available through:  
In the 1930s the WPA Writers Project compiled over 3,500 typescript interviews of formerly enslaved Americans. Access and indexes are available through:  


:*Library of Congress' free Internet site that indexes 2,300 narratives in ''[http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/snhtml/snhome.html Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers' Project]''.  
:*Library of Congress' free Internet site that indexes 2,300 narratives in ''[http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/snhtml/snhome.html Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers' Project]''.  
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==== Apprenticeship and Orphans’ Records  ====
==== Apprenticeship and Orphans’ Records  ====


See both Freedmen’s Bureau and county court records for information on guardianship and apprentices. Former slave owners often became the legal guardians of infants and small children. Orphans old enough to work were also apprenticed to the former slave owner.  
See both Freedmen’s Bureau and county court records for information on guardianship and apprentices. Former slaveholders often became the legal guardians of infants and small children. Orphans old enough to work were also apprenticed to the former slaveholder.  


==== Another Way of Identifying the Slave Owner ====
==== Another Way of Identifying the Slaveholder ====


If the sources listed above do not help you identify a slave owner, try the following technique:  
If the sources listed above do not help you identify a slaveholder, try the following technique:  


#Find your family on the 1870 census.  
#Find your family on the 1870 census.  
#Make a list of every family with property on the 10 pages before and 10 pages after your ancestor. Add your ancestor’s surname to this list if it is not already there.  
#Make a list of every family with property on the 10 pages before and 10 pages after your ancestor. Add your ancestor’s surname to this list if it is not already there.  
#Act as if each family name on the list was the name of the former slave owner. Use the records listed under Search Records of Slaves. As you use the records you will start eliminating some names, and others will look more promising.  
#Act as if each family name on the list was the name of the former slaveholder. Use the records listed under Search Records of the Enslaved. As you use the records you will start eliminating some names, and others will look more promising.
#If you don’t find a match, try to find out if the family moved from a different location. If so, repeat this process as you check the census records for the other location.
#If you don’t find a match, try to find out if the family moved from a different location. If so, repeat this process as you check the census records for the other location.


== Searching Records for Slaves ==
== Searching Records for Enslaved Persons ==
For more instructions on finding African American families in records, see [https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/tracing-africanamerican-ancestors/ Tracing Your African-American Ancestors].
For more instructions on finding African American families in records, see [https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/tracing-africanamerican-ancestors/ Tracing Your African-American Ancestors].


When you know the slave owner’s name you have a list of possibilities:  
When you know the slaveholder’s name you have a list of possibilities:  


1. Study the life and records of the slave owner and his family. Your ancestor’s life was inseparably connected with the slave owner. Your ancestor will be listed in records of the slave owner’s property.  
1. Study the life and records of the slaveholder and his family. Your ancestor’s life was inseparably connected with the slaveholder. Your ancestor will be listed in records of the slaveholder’s property.  


2. Look for the slave owner’s name in:  
2. Look for the slaveholder’s name in:  


:*Federal census schedules, 1850 and 1860. Slave schedules give the age and sex of each slave. For information on using slave schedules, see: [[United States Census Slave Schedule, 1850 - FamilySearch Historical Records|United States Census Slave Schedule, 1850 - FamilySearch Historical Records]] and [[U.S. Census Slave Schedule, 1860|U.S. Census Slave Schedule, 1860]] which each contain a section, ''How to Use the Collection.''  
:*Federal census schedules, 1850 and 1860. Slave schedules give the age and sex of each enslaved person. For information on using slave schedules, see: [[United States Census Slave Schedule, 1850 - FamilySearch Historical Records|United States Census Slave Schedule, 1850 - FamilySearch Historical Records]] and [[U.S. Census Slave Schedule, 1860|U.S. Census Slave Schedule, 1860]] which each contain a section, ''How to Use the Collection.''  
:*The 1850 and 1860 federal census mortality schedules. These give the names of slaves who died and the names of the slave owners.  
:*The 1850 and 1860 federal census mortality schedules. These give the names of enslaved persons who died and the names of the slaveholders.
:*Tax records. These list slaves and their monetary value.  
:*Tax records. These list enslaved persons and their monetary value.
:*Land and property records. Search for information about deeds, sales, mortgages, or rental transactions of slaves.  
:*Land and property records. Search for information about deeds, sales, mortgages, or rental transactions of enslaved persons.
:*Probate, estate, and chancery court records These show the distribution of slaves at the death of a slave owner.  
:*Probate, estate, and chancery court records These show the distribution of enslaved persons at the death of a slaveholder.
:*Plantation records. Account log books give the names of slaves, family relationships, and their assigned tasks. Some records give the slaves’ birth and death dates. They also record when a slave was bought, from whom, and for how much.  
:*Plantation records. Account log books give the names of enslaved persons, family relationships, and their assigned tasks. Some records give the enslaved person's birth and death dates. They also record when an enslaved person was bought, from whom, and for how much.
:*Antebellum Southern Plantations from the Revolution through the Civil War, Frederick, Md.: University Publications of America, 1966.
:*Antebellum Southern Plantations from the Revolution through the Civil War, Frederick, Md.: University Publications of America, 1966.


See [http://www.afrigeneas.org/images/FHL%20African%20American%20Bibliography.pdf FamilySearch Library Bibliography of African American Sources] for the films and guide books for this collection. Whenever possible, these records are listed under the county or state where the plantation was located. They are then listed alphabetically by the name of the slave owner.  
See [http://www.afrigeneas.org/images/FHL%20African%20American%20Bibliography.pdf FamilySearch Library Bibliography of African American Sources] for the films and guide books for this collection. Whenever possible, these records are listed under the county or state where the plantation was located. They are then listed alphabetically by the name of the slaveholder.  


=== Slave Names Databases ===
=== Databases of Names Enslaved Persons ===
There are various websites where researchers submit names of slaves they have come across in records. Try searching these databases for a known slave or slave owner:
There are various websites where researchers submit names of enslaved persons they have come across in records. Try searching these databases for a known enslaved persons or slaveholder:
* [http://slavenamerollproject.blogspot.com/ Slave Name Roll Project]
* [http://slavenamerollproject.blogspot.com/ Slave Name Roll Project]
* [http://www.afrigeneas.org/slavedata/ Afrigeneas Slave Data Collection]
* [http://www.afrigeneas.org/slavedata/ Afrigeneas Enslaved Person Data Collection]
There are several other projects dedicated to specific regions or record types, for example:
There are several other projects dedicated to specific regions or record types, for example:
* [http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/aan/search-the-narrative Unknown No Longer: A Database of Virginia Slave Names] at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture
* [http://www.virginiamemory.com/collections/aan/search-the-narrative Unknown No Longer: A Database of Virginia Slave Names] at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture
* [http://digital.sfasu.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/RSP Texas Runaway Slave Project], indexing names of runaway slaves found in Texas newspapers
* [http://digital.sfasu.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/RSP Texas Runaway Slave Project], indexing names of self-liberated enslaved persons found in Texas newspapers
* [https://nyslavery.commons.gc.cuny.edu/ New York Slavery Records Index]
* [https://nyslavery.commons.gc.cuny.edu/ New York Slavery Records Index]
* [https://theyhadnames.net/ African Americans in early Liberty County, Georgia, Records]
* [https://theyhadnames.net/ African Americans in early Liberty County, Georgia, Records]
Also see [https://www.thoughtco.com/great-databases-for-slave-genealogy-1421640 10 Great Databases for Slave Genealogy Research]
Also see [https://www.thoughtco.com/great-databases-for-slave-genealogy-1421640 10 Databases for Researching Enslaved Ancestors]


=== Other Slave Owners ===
=== Other Slaveholders ===


Several large industries owned slaves. See:  
Several large industries owned enslaved person. See:  


Slavery in Antebellum Southern Industries. Bethesda, Md.: University Publications of America, 1991. {{FSC|975 H6s }}  
Slavery in Antebellum Southern Industries. Bethesda, Md.: University Publications of America, 1991. {{FSC|975 H6s }}  


Indian tribes also owned African slaves. See:  
Indian tribes also enslaved Africans. See:  


*Native American records. Slaves are often listed as members of the tribe.  
*Native American records. Enslaved persons are often listed as members of the tribe.
*[http://www.african-nativeamerican.com/ African-Native American Genealogy Homepage] containing Indian Freedmen Records of Oklahoma, Black Families of the Mississippi Choctaw, and Eastern Cherokee Records sites.
*[http://www.african-nativeamerican.com/ African-Native American Genealogy Homepage] containing Indian Freedmen Records of Oklahoma, Black Families of the Mississippi Choctaw, and Eastern Cherokee Records sites.


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:1784 Rhode Island bans slavery.
:1784 Rhode Island bans slavery.


:1790 Boston becomes the first U.S. city without slaves.
:1790 Boston becomes the first U.S. city without enslaved persons.


:1799 New York begins gradual emancipation.
:1799 New York begins gradual emancipation.
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:1804 New Jersey begins gradual emancipation.
:1804 New Jersey begins gradual emancipation.


:1807 The U.S. Congress bans the slave trade by prohibiting "the importation of slaves into the United States or the territories thereof" after 1 January 1808.
:1807 The U.S. Congress bans the slave trade by prohibiting "the importation of enslaved persons into the United States or the territories thereof" after 1 January 1808.


:1863 The Emancipation Proclamation frees only slaves in states in rebellion against the Union.
:1863 The Emancipation Proclamation frees only enslaved persons in states in rebellion against the Union.


:1865 June 19 - The Emancipation Proclamation was read in Galveston, Texas.
:1865 June 19 - The Emancipation Proclamation was read in Galveston, Texas.
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*Tony Burroughs, ''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/45068561 Black Roots: a Beginners Guide to Tracing the African American Family Tree]'' (New York: Fireside Book, 2001){{FSC|Book: 973 D27bt}}.
*Tony Burroughs, ''[http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/45068561 Black Roots: a Beginners Guide to Tracing the African American Family Tree]'' (New York: Fireside Book, 2001){{FSC|Book: 973 D27bt}}.
*Gutman, Herbert G. The Black Family in Slavery and Freedom. New York: Pantheon, 1976. {{FSC|973 F2gu.}}  
*Gutman, Herbert G. The Black Family in Slavery and Freedom. New York: Pantheon, 1976. {{FSC|973 F2gu.}}  
:*A short, step-by-step guide with charts,worksheets, and definitions.  
:*A short, step-by-step guide with charts, worksheets, and definitions.
:*Good background information about family life in various parts of the country at different times.  
:*Good background information about family life in various parts of the country at different times.  
:*Tells about surname customs and how surnames changed.
:*Tells about surname customs and how surnames changed.
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*[http://www.afrigeneas.org/ Afrigeneas: African Ancestored Genealogy] Supports research of African American ancestors.  
*[http://www.afrigeneas.org/ Afrigeneas: African Ancestored Genealogy] Supports research of African American ancestors.  
*Africana Heritage Project Rediscovering records of slaves, freedpersons and their descendants. Database of primary documents, book and multimedia excerpts  
*Africana Heritage Project Rediscovering records of enslaved persons, freedpersons and their descendants. Database of primary documents, book and multimedia excerpts
*[http://www.aagsnc.org/genlinks/Genealogical AAGSNC - African American Genealogical Society of Northern California] Has links to African American history and genealogy divided into 17 categories.  
*[http://www.aagsnc.org/genlinks/Genealogical AAGSNC - African American Genealogical Society of Northern California] Has links to African American history and genealogy divided into 17 categories.  
*[http://www.familysearch.org/docs/36928_African_American_Quick_Guide.pdf FamilySearch Quick Guide to African-American Records] Has chronological information about Africans in America.  
*[http://www.familysearch.org/docs/36928_African_American_Quick_Guide.pdf FamilySearch Quick Guide to African-American Records] Has chronological information about Africans in America.  
*[http://www.africanamericancemeteries.com/ African American Cemeteries Online]  
*[http://www.africanamericancemeteries.com/ African American Cemeteries Online]  
*[http://www.afrigeneas.org/aacensus/ African American Census Schedules Online]  
*[http://www.afrigeneas.org/aacensus/ African American Census Schedules Online]  
*University of North Carolina - Greensboro's [http://library.uncg.edu/slavery/pSearch.aspx?s=2 Digital Library on American Slavery] has digitized details about American slaves from thousands of court and legislative petitions filed between 1775 and 1867 in 15 different states. Search by name, search by petition or browse subjects.
*University of North Carolina - Greensboro's [http://library.uncg.edu/slavery/pSearch.aspx?s=2 Digital Library on American Slavery] has digitized details about enslaved Americans from thousands of court and legislative petitions filed between 1775 and 1867 in 15 different states. Search by name, search by petition or browse subjects.
*[http://slavebiographies.org/search.php Slave Biographies (Atlanta Database Network)]
*[http://slavebiographies.org/search.php Slave Biographies (Atlanta Database Network)]
*[http://barbsnow.net/AfricanAmerican.htm A classroom guide to African American genealogy]
*[http://barbsnow.net/AfricanAmerican.htm A classroom guide to African American genealogy]
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