United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner - FamilySearch Historical Records: Difference between revisions

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'''[[United States Genealogy|United States]]'''
{{FamilySearch_Collection
{{US NARA HR Infobox
|CID=CID2427901
| CID=CID2427901
|title=United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner, 1865-1872
| title=United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner, 1865-1872
|location=United States
|CID2=CID1803698
|scheduled=}}<br>
|title2=North Carolina, Freedmen's Bureau Assistant Commissioner Records, 1862-1870
| location=United States
| LOC_01 =
| LOC_02 =
| LOC_03 =
| record_type = Freedmen and Refugee Records
| record_group_nr = 105
| record_group_title =[http://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/105.html Records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands]
| start_year = 1865
| end_year = 1872
| alt_flag = Flag_of_the_United_State_(1863-1865).png
| alt_flag_desc = US Flag 1863-1865 (35 stars)
| micro_pub_nr =
| micro_pub_title =
| micro_pub_rolls =
| micro_pub_nr_02 =
| micro_pub_title_02 =
| micro_pub_rolls_02 =
| micro_pub_nr_03 =
| micro_pub_title_03 =
| micro_pub_rolls_03 =
| micro_pub_nr_04 =
| micro_pub_title_04 =
| micro_pub_rolls_04 =
| coll_series =
| arrangement =
| NAID =[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/434 434]
| language =
| FS_URL_01 = [[GuidedResearch:United States|United States Guided Research]]
| FS_URL_02 = [[United States Record Finder]]
| FS_URL_03 = [[United States Research Tips and Strategies]]
| FS_URL_04 = [[African American Freedmen's Bureau Records]] 
| FS_URL_05 = [[Quick Guide to African American Records]] 
| FS_URL_06 = [[African American Research]]
| FS_URL_07 = [[African American Slavery and Bondage]]
| FS_URL_08 = 
| FS_URL_09 = 
| FS_URL_10 =
| FS_URL_11 =
| FS_URL_12 =
| RW_URL_01 =[http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/1997/summer/freedmens-bureau-records.html NARA Freedmen's Bureau Records: An Overview]
| RW_URL_02 =[http://www.archives.gov/atlanta/finding-aids/freedmens-bureau.pdf NARA A Genealogical Finding Aid]
| RW_URL_03 =[http://www.history.umd.edu/Freedmen/fssppubs.htm Publications of the Freedmen and Southern Society Project] 
| RW_URL_04 =[http://freedmensbureau.com/ The Freedmen's Bureau Online]. Records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands. 
| RW_URL_05 =Suffolk University, Boston [http://suffolk.libguides.com/content.php?pid=117960&sid=1828859 African American Studies Resource Guide: Freedmen's Bureau and Freedmans Bank Records]
| RW_URL_06 =[http://www.fivay.org/freedmen.html Early Hernando County History Freedmen's Bureau]
| RW_URL_07 =[https://www.floridamemory.com/collections/freedmen/ Jefferson County, Florida Labor Contracts]
|RW_URL_08 =[https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/105.html Records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands]
|RW_URL_09 =[https://www.floridamemory.com/collections/election1867/ Florida 1867-68 Voter Registration Rolls Florida Archives]
|RW_URL_10 =[https://www.floridamemory.com/solr-search/results/index/page/1?q=%28freedmen%27s+bureau+OR+tt%3Afreedmen%27s+bureau%5E10%29&query=freedmen%27s+bureau  Florida Labor Contracts Florida Archives]
}}
== What is in This Collection? ==
The collection consists of images of records of the Assistant Commissioner of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands (often called the Freedmen’s Bureau) which was established in the War Department in March of 1865. It was commonly called the Freedman’s Bureau and was responsible for the management and supervision of matters relating to refuges, freedmen, and abandoned lands. The Bureau assisted disenfranchised Americans, primarily African Americans,  with legal and financial matters including the distributing of food and clothing; operating temporary medical facilities; acquiring  military benefits such as back pay, bounty payments, and pensions; facilitating the creation of schools, including the founding of Howard University; reuniting family members; handling marriages; and providing banking services. Banking services were provided by the establishment of the Freedman’s Saving and Trust Company, or Freedman’s Bank.  The intent of the Bureau was to help people to become self-sufficient.


'''Administrative Histories: Office of the Assistant Commissioner - National Archives '''
== Record Description  ==
{{col-begin|width=49%}}
{{col-break}}
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10452470 Alabama]
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10470645 Arkansas]
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10456484 District of Columbia]
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10457678 Florida]
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10474454 Georgia]
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10474301 Kentucky]
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10452304 Louisiana]
{{col-break}}
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10475117 Maryland]
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10472437 Mississippi]
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10452305 North Carolina]
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10471937 South Carolina]
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10452291 Tennessee]
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10473639 Texas]
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10469399 Virginia]
{{col-end}}


*See also:
The collection consists of images of records of the Assistant Commissioner of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands (often called the Freedmen’s Bureau). The bureau was created in 1865 at the end of the American Civil War to supervise relief efforts including education, health care, food and clothing, refugee camps, legalization of marriages, employment, labor contracts, and securing back pay, bounty payments and pensions.  
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10553759 War Department. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands. Office of the Assistant Commissioner for Virginia. Fredericksburg Field Office. Office of the Assistant Superintendent, First Division, 6th Subdistrict. (07/1866 - 12/1868)]
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10554399 War Department. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands. Office of the Assistant Commissioner for Virginia. Heathsville Field Office. (1865 - 12/1868)]


These records include letters and endorsements sent and received, account books, applications for rations, applications for relief, court records, labor contracts, registers of bounty claimants, registers of complaints, registers of contracts, registers of disbursements, registers of freedmen issued rations, registers of patients, reports, rosters of officers and employees, special and general orders and circulars received, special orders and circulars issued, records relating to claims, court trials, property restoration, and homesteads.


'''Related Sources '''
This collection corresponds with the following NARA microfilm publications, Alabama, M809; Arkansas, M979; District of Columbia, M1055; Georgia, M798; Louisiana, M1027; Mississippi, M826; South Carolina, M869; Tennessee, M999; Texas, M821; Virginia, M1048. English
*[https://archive.org/stream/annualreportofas00howa#page/n1/mode/2up Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands. ''Annual Report of the Assistant Commissioner. For the District of Columbia and West Virginia. For the Year Ending October 22, 1867.'' (Washington, 1867)]


'''Assistant Commissioner records National Archive microfilm publications' included in this publication'''
{{Collection_Browse_Link
*[https://www.archives.gov/files/research/microfilm/m809.pdf  Alabama M809]
|CID=CID2427901
*[https://www.archives.gov/files/research/microfilm/m979.pdf  Arkansas M979]
|title=United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner, 1865-1872
*[https://www.archives.gov/files/research/microfilm/m1055.pdf District of Columbia M1055]
|scheduled=
*[https://www.archives.gov/files/research/microfilm/m1869.pdf Florida M1869]
}}
*[https://www.archives.gov/files/research/microfilm/m798.pdf Georgia M798]
*[https://www.archives.gov/files/research/microfilm/m1027.pdf Louisiana M1027]
*[https://www.archives.gov/files/research/microfilm/m826.pdf Mississippi M826]
*[https://www.archives.gov/files/research/microfilm/m843.pdf North Carolina M843]
*[https://www.archives.gov/files/research/microfilm/m869.pdf South Carolina M869]
*[https://www.archives.gov/files/research/microfilm/m999.pdf Tennessee M999]
*[https://www.archives.gov/files/research/microfilm/m821.pdf Texas M821]
*[https://www.archives.gov/files/research/microfilm/m1048.pdf Virginia M1048]


''' Tennessee Assistant Commissioner'''
== Record Content  ==
*'''Browse Images of the Kentucky Assistant Commissioner records will be located in the {{RecordSearch|2333771|Kentucky, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872}}'''
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10543199 War Department. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands. Office of the Assistant Commissioner for Tennessee. Subdistrict of Memphis. Office of the Rental Agent. (1862 - 1867)]


''' Publication Notes '''
The following important information is often found in Bureau records:  
*Tennessee: Roll 7, DGS 7677357 Browse Images 907-919 Registers of letters received, H-L, 1865. Images 1-13 is a census of freedmen at Tunnel Hill, dated August 1865. Includes name, age, residence, former masters name. Click [https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9TD-P73W?i=906&cc=2427901&cat=362879 this link] to go to the first image of the census.


=== Florida Field Office Records ===   
*Name of the freedman
Florida Field Office records were filmed with the records of the Florida Assistant Commissioner Records. See [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner (Florida)]] for details.
*Name of the freedman’s former owner
*Date of the record
*Birthplace
*Residence
*Age
*Document dates
 
== How to Use the Records  ==
 
To begin your search it is helpful to know
 
*The name of your ancestor
*Identifying information such as name of spouse, age birthplace or residence
 
=== Search the Collection ===
 
To search the collection: <br> ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page <br> ⇒Select the appropriate "Freedmen's Bureau Office or Location" <br> ⇒Select the appropriate "NARA Roll Number-Contents" which takes you to the images.
 
Look at each image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:
 
*There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
*You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
*Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.
 
==== Using the Information  ====
 
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors. The following examples show ways you can use the information:
 
*Use the estimated age to calculate a birth date.
*Use the names, ages, and residence to search the census records.
 
==== Tips to Keep in Mind  ====
 
*Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives.
*When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
*You may need to compare the information of more than one family or person to make this determination.
*Be aware that your ancestor may have used more than one name during their lifetime.
 
==== Unable to Find Your Ancestor?  ====
 
*Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names.
*Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals with the same family number.
 
=== Additional Information About These Records ===
 
The Freedmen’s Bureau records are a major source of genealogical information about post Civil War African Americans. They are also a good source to quickly identify a family group and residence. Use the place of residence, age, and other information for each person to search for the individuals in census records and other types of records.  
 
The [[African American Freedman's Savings and Trust Company Records|Freedmen’s Bank Records]] are the most commonly known records created by the Freedmen’s Bureau and have also been described separately.
 
The original records are preserved at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland. Copies of the original records are available at the National Archives Building in Washington D.C. and the regional archives located in Alaska, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington State. The records were microfilmed in 2001 the microfilms are available at the Family History Library.  


'''Records with Freedmen and Refugee Names'''
The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands was established in the War Department in March of 1865. It was commonly called the Freedman’s Bureau and was responsible for the management and supervision of matters relating to refuges, freedmen, and abandoned lands. The Bureau assisted disenfranchised Americans, primarily African Americans, with temporal, legal and financial matters, with the intent of helping people to become self-sufficient. Matters handled included the distributing of food and clothing; operating temporary medical facilities; acquiring back pay, bounty payments, and pensions; facilitating the creation of schools, including the founding of Howard University; reuniting family members; handling marriages; and providing banking services. Banking services were provided by the establishment of the Freedman’s Saving and Trust Company, or Freedman’s Bank.  
* Reports: Roll 9, Monthly Reports of Abandoned or Confiscated Lands
*Reports: Roll 10, Unregistered Monthly Reports of Homesteads Located by Bureau Agents
*Other Records, Rolls Records Relating to Restoration of Property
*Other Records, Roll 11, Applications of Freedmen for Rations, Acre-Owens
*Other Records, Roll 12, Applications of Freedmen for Rations, Page-Young
*Claims Agent, Roll 14, Register of Bounty Claimants
*Jacksonville, Roll 14, Register of Freedmen Issued Rations
*Quincy, Roll 15, Register of Freedmen Issued Rations 
*Tallahassee, Roll 15, Records Relating to Court Trials; Register of Freedmen Issued Rations
'''Subordinate Field Offices'''
{| class="wikitable"
! Field Office Location !! Name !! Position !! Dates Served
|-
| Barancas || L. L. Zalousky || Subassistant Commissioner || January - August 1866
|-
| Fernandina || Thomas Leddy || Subassistant Commissioner || January - August 1866
|-
| Fernandina || A. A. Cole || Subassistant Commissioner || August 1866 - July 1867
|-
| Fernandina || D. A. Hammond  || (Subassistant Commissioner <br>and Post Commander) || July 1867 - December 1868
|-
| Jacksonville ||  || Subassistant Commissioner and Agent ||
|-
| Key West || J. B. Rawles || Subassistant Commissioner || December 1867 - January 1869
|-
| Monticello || A. B. Grumwell || Subassistant Commissioner || May 1866 - May 1868
|-
| Ocala || J. A. Remley || Subassistant Commissioner || June 1866 - November 1868
|-
| Pensacola || F. M. Cole || Subassistant Commissioner || February - August 1866
|-
| Pensacola || J. R. Brinckle || Subassistant Commissioner || October 1866 - January 1867
|-
| Quincy ||  || Subassistant Commissioner ||
|-
| Tallahassee ||  || Subassistant Commissioner ||
|}
''' Related Collections'''
*[https://www.floridamemory.com/collections/election1867/ Voter Registration Rolls, 1867-68. Florida Memory. State Library & Archives of Florida]
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/10452640 Third Military District. 3.11.1867-7.28.1868] Jurisdictions: Alabama, Florida, Georgia]


''' FamilySearch Catalog '''
The Bureau functioned as an agency of the War Department from approximately June 1865 until December 1868. In 1872, the functions of the Bureau were transferred to the Freedmen’s Branch of the Adjutant General’s Office.  
*{{FSC|537206|item|disp=Florida Secretary of State, Voter registration rolls, 1867-1905}}
*''"Census" Department for the South, November 1864, for Jacksonville, Fernandina and St. Augustine, Florida : ordered by the Department of the South, Hilton Head, South Carolina.'' Florida State Genealogical Society. {{FSC|1046870|item|disp=FS Library 975.91 X2f}}
*Delbra D. McGriff, comp. ''The Black experience : a guide to Afro-American resources in the Florida State Archives'' Tallahassee, Florida : Florida Department of State Division of Library and Information Services, 1991 {{FSC|618437|item|disp=FS Library 975.9 A1 no. 122}}


''' FamilySearch Historical Records '''
The Bureau assisted over one million African Americans, including many of the nearly four million emancipated slaves, which was over 25% of the population of former slaves in America.
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/3326846 Florida, County Voter Registration Records, 1867-1905]


=== General Information about Freedmen's Bureau Records ===
The records identify those who sought help from the Bureau at the end of the Civil War. Most supplicants were freed slaves, some of which were military veterans. In addition, a few veterans who were not African Americans also sought help from the Bureau.  
The United States Freedmen's Bureau, records of the Office of the Assistant Commissioner identifies African Americans who sought help from the Bureau at the end of the Civil War. Most supplicants were freed slaves, some of which were military veterans. In addition, a few veterans who were not African Americans also sought help from the Bureau. Freedmen’s Bureau records are usually reliable, because the records were supplied through first-person correspondence or the recording of a marriage. The following link will provide a description of the record types found in this and other Freedmen’s Bureau collections. [[Freedmen's Bureau Record Types]]


The Bureau functioned as an agency of the War Department from approximately June 1865 until December 1868, and assisted over one million African Americans, including many of the nearly four million emancipated slaves, which was over 25% of the population of former slaves in America. In 1872, the functions of the Bureau were transferred to the Freedmen’s Branch of the Adjutant General’s Office.<br><br>
Freedmen’s Bureau records are usually reliable, because the records were supplied through first-person correspondence or the recording of a marriage.  
These records include, letters and registers of letters sent and received, reports, endorsements, telegrams, issuances,  account books, applications for rations, applications for relief, court records, labor contracts, registers of bounty claimants, registers of complaints, registers of contracts, registers of disbursements, registers of freedmen issued rations, registers of patients, reports, rosters of officers and employees, special and general orders and circulars received, special orders and circulars issued, records relating to claims, court trials, property restoration, and homesteads.


=== National Museum of African American History & Culture ===
== Related FamilySearch Historical Records Collection Articles  ==
The museum is working with the Smithsonian Transcription Center and volunteers to transcribe the records of the Bureau.
*[https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/initiatives/freedmens-bureau-records Freedmen's Bureau Transcription Project.]
*[https://nmaahc.si.edu/about-freedmens-bureau-database-records About The Freedmen's Bureau Database Records]
*[https://transcription.si.edu/node/92 FREEDMEN'S BUREAU ABBREVIATIONS, STAFF ROSTERS, AND STYLE SHEETS]
*[https://transcription.si.edu/browse?filter=owner%3A16 Freedmen's Bureau - Browse Projects]


For additional information about the Freedman's Bureau and the microfilm publications included in this collection visit the [https://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/freedmens-bureau African American Records: Freedmen's Bureau] page of the NARA African American Heritage Collection.
*[[Alabama, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[Arkansas, Field Offices Records of the Freedmen's Bureau (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[District of Columbia, Freedmen's Bureau Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[Georgia, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[Kentucky, Freedmen's Bureau Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[Louisiana, Freedmen's Bureau Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[Mississippi, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[Missouri, Freedmen's Bureau Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[North Carolina, Freedmen Bureau Field Office Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[South Carolina, Freedmen Bureau Field Office Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[Tennessee, Freedmen's Bureau Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[Texas, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[Virginia, Freedmen's Bureau Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[United States Freedmen’s Branch Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]


{{HR Add}}
== Related Websites  ==
=== Index and Image Visibility ===
{{Image Visibility}}


=== To Browse This Collection ===
*[http://www.archives.gov/research/genealogy/index.html National Archives Resources for Genealogists]
{{Collection_Browse_Link |CID=CID2427901 |title=United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner, 1865-1872 }}
*[http://www.history.umd.edu/Freedmen/fssppubs.htm Publications of the Freedmen and Southern Society Project]
{{Collection_Browse_Link |CID=CID1803698 |title=North Carolina, Freedmen's Bureau Assistant Commissioner Records, 1862-1870 }}
*[http://freedmensbureau.com/ The Freedmen's Bureau Online]. Records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands.
*[http://www.history.umd.edu/Freedmen/fssppubs.htm Publications of the Freedmen and Southern Society Project]
*[http://suffolk.libguides.com/content.php?pid=117960&sid=1828859 Suffolk University]


== What Can These Records Tell Me? ==
== Related Wiki Articles ==
The records usually include:
{{columns-list|2|
*Name of the freedman
*Name of the freedman’s former owner
*Date of the record
*Birthplace
*Residence
*Age
*Document dates
}}
== Collection Contents ==
=== Sample Images ===
<gallery widths="160px" heights="120px" perrow="3">
Image:United States, Freedmen's Bureau Records of Assistant Commissioner (14-1398) Will (page 1) DGS 7677396_410.jpg|1865 Will (page 1)
Image:United States, Freedmen's Bureau Records of Assistant Commissioner (14-1398) Will (page 2) DGS 7677396_411.jpg|1865 Will (page 2)
Image:United States, Freedmen's Bureau Records of Assistant Commissioner (14-1398) Oath of Amnesty DGS 7677396_839.jpg|1865 Oath of Amnesty
Image:United States, Freedmen's Bureau Records of Assistant Commissioner (14-1398) Stores (Supplies) Received DGS 7677396_762.jpg|1865 Stores (Supplies) Received
Image:United States, Freedmen's Bureau Records of Assistant Commissioner (14-1398) Letter DGS 7677396_64.jpg|1865 Letter
Image:United States, Freedmen's Bureau Records of Assistant Commissioner (14-1398) Account Statement DGS 7677396_573.jpg|Account Statement
</gallery>


=== Inventory ===
*[[African American Freedmen's Bureau Records]]
For a list of all the titles included in this Historical Records publication see [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner - Inventory]]
*[[Quick Guide to African American Records]]
*[[African American Research]]


=== Record Types ===
== Contributions to This Article  ==
The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands (often called the Freedmen’s Bureau)  created many different record types necessary to supervise relief efforts including education, health care, food and clothing, refugee camps, legalization of marriages, employment, labor contracts, and securing back pay, bounty payments and pensions. These records include letters and endorsements sent and received, account books, applications for rations, applications for relief, court records, labor contracts, registers of bounty claimants, registers of complaints, registers of contracts, registers of disbursements, registers of freedmen issued rations, registers of patients, reports, rosters of officers and employees, special and general orders and circulars received, special orders and circulars issued, records relating to claims, court trials, property restoration, and homesteads.
*The following link will provide a description of the record types found in this and other Freedmen's Bureau collections.[[Freedmen's Bureau Record Types]]


''' Officers Manual'''<br>
{{Contributor_invite}}
The War Department published an Officer's Manual  to assist bureau personnel in the records that were required to be keep in bureau offices.
*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/110406-officers-manual-bureau-of-refugees-freedmen-and-abandoned-lands?offset=1 ''Officer's Manual. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands.'' Washington. 1866. Digital Images]
The following Wiki articles are transcriptions of portions of the manual
*[[US, NARA, Freedmen's Bureau, Officer's Manual - I, Book Keeping and Official Correspondence]]
*[[US, NARA, Freedmen's Bureau, Officer's Manual - VI, Miscellaneous Provisions]] - Includes Reports from Assistant Commissioners


== How Do I Search This Collection? ==
== Citations for This Collection  ==
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
*The name of your ancestor
*The approximate age of your ancestor
*The place where your ancestor lived
*The name of the former slave owner
*Locate your ancestor in the 1870 Census.  Most local Bureau activities ended (except from claims and education) in December 1868.
*Check the records of the local field office in the area(s) where you believe your ancestor lived between June 1865 and December 1868.
*Determine, if possible, the name of the former owner. The 1860 Slave Schedule may be helpful. Also consider searching the 1860 and 1870 Agriculture Schedules.
*The Bureau created many different types of records. Review the record types in the Collection Content section in this article.
*While searching Bureau records remember to search other records of the local government, including marriage and court records and especially the 1867 or later voter registrations.
*Consider ancestors who may have been employed as a civilian agent or served as local agent while still in the military.  Look for statewide rosters of bureau personnel in the records of Assistant Commissioners and the Field Office Personnel table for the state.  Others may have worked with aid associations or taught school supported by aid associations in the north.
*Freedmen would have determined what their name would be and may have changed it multiple times.


=== Search the Index ===
When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information; that is, cite your sources. This will help people find the record again and evaluate the reliability of the source. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records. Citations are available for the collection as a whole and each record or image individually.  
'''United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner, 1865-1872'''
{{HR No IDX}}
'''North Carolina, Freedmen's Bureau Assistant Commissioner Records, 1862-1870'''
{{Search Collection Link | CID=CID1803698 }}
=== View the Images ===
'''United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner, 1865-1872'''
{{View_Images_Link
| CID = 2427901
| browse_1 = Freedmen's Bureau Office of Location (state)
| browse_2 = NARA Roll Number - Contents
| browse_3 =
| browse_4 =
| browse_5 =
| browse_6 =
}}
{{HR Tip|More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog at {{FSC|2427901|item|disp=United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner, 1865-1872}}. Some catalog records link to multiple references. In this case, click on a reference to find a camera icon to see images.}}
'''North Carolina, Freedmen's Bureau Assistant Commissioner Records, 1862-1870'''
{{View_Images_Link
| CID = 1803698
| browse_1 = NARA Roll Number-Contents
| browse_2 =
| browse_3 =
| browse_4 =
| browse_5 =
| browse_6 =
}}
=== How Do I Analyze the Results? ===
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a [[Use_Appropriate_Forms#Prepare_a_Research_Log |research log]].
== What Do I Do Next? ==
=== I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now? ===
*Add any new information to your records
*Check the image the index was taken from to see if there is additional information that could lead you to additional records or family members (Witnesses or bondsmen were usually relatives)
*Make sure to fully transcribe and cite the record entry for future reference
*Use the age to calculate a birth date and to find other records such as birth, christening, census, land and death records
*Repeat this process with additional family members found, to find more generations of the family
*[[United States Church Records| Church Records]] often were kept years before government records were required and are a good source for finding ancestors before 1900
=== I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now? === 
*Try viewing the original record to see if there were errors in the transcription of the name, age, residence, etc
*Remember that there may be more than one person in the records with the same name
*Collect entries for every person who has the same surname to help you identify possible relations
*Try searching records of a nearby locality in an area search
*Try variations of your ancestor’s name while searching the index or browsing through images 
*Former slaves may have had used multiple names or changed their names until they decided upon one particular name; search all possible names along with variations or spellings of their known names
*Remember that sometimes individuals went by [http://usgenweb.org/research/nicknames.html nicknames] or alternated between using first and middle names; try searching for [http://genealogy.about.com/od/first_names/fl/nickname-given-name-equivalents.htm these names] as well
*Search the indexes and records of [[United States Genealogy]]
*Search in the [[United States Archives and Libraries]]
=== Research Helps ===
The following articles will help you research your family in [[United States Genealogy|the United States]].
* [[GuidedResearch:United States|United States Guided Research]]
* [[United States Record Finder]]
* [[United States Research Tips and Strategies]]
* [[Beginning Research in United States Military Records]]
* [[US Military Basic Search Strategies]]
== Other FamilySearch Collections ==
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.
=== FamilySearch Catalog ===
*Dee Parmer Woodtor,''Finding a place called home : a guide to African-American genealogy and historical identity'' New York, New York : Random House, c1999 {{FSC|829837|item|disp=FS Library 973 F2wd}} See chapter 8
*Paula K. Byers, ed. ''African American genealogical sourcebook'' New York, New York : Gale Research, c1995 {{FSC|722504|item|disp=FS Library 973 F27afg}} See pages 68-98 The Freedmen's Bureau
*George R. Bentley, 'A history of the Freedmen's Bureau'' Reprint. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : University of Pennsylvania, 2016. {{FSC|4440734|item|disp=FS Library 973.714 F875b}}
*{{FSC|537206|item|disp=Florida Voter Registrations, 1867-1868}}


=== FamilySearch Historical Records  ===
'''Collection citation''':<br> {{Collection citation | text= "United States,Freedmen's Branch Records, 1872-1878." Index and Images. <i>FamilySearch</i>. http://FamilySearch.org : accessed 2014. Citing National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.}}<br><br>
'''Field Offices'''
*{{RecordSearch|2333770|Alabama, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872}}
*{{RecordSearch|2328125|Arkansas, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1864-1872}}
*{{RecordSearch|2333782|District of Columbia, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1863-1872}}
*{{RecordSearch|2331267|Georgia, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872}}
*{{RecordSearch|2333771|Kentucky, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872}}
*{{RecordSearch|2333781|Louisiana Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872}}
*{{RecordSearch|1989156|Maryland and Delaware, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872}}
*{{RecordSearch|2333768|Mississippi, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872}}
*{{RecordSearch|2442776|Mississippi, Freedmen's Department (Pre-Bureau Records), 1863-1866}}
*{{RecordSearch|2143119|North Carolina, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1863-1872}}
*{{RecordSearch|2127881|South Carolina, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872}}
*{{RecordSearch|2333777|Tennessee, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872}}
*{{RecordSearch|1989155|Texas, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1870}}
*{{RecordSearch|1596147|Virginia, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872}}


=== FamilySearch Digital Library ===
'''Image citation''':<br> {{Image Citation Link
*{{FSC|702586|item|disp= Elaine Everly, Willna Pacheli, comp. ''Preliminary inventory of the records of the field offices of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands : record group 105.''Washington, D.C. : National Archives and Records Service, 1973.}}
|CID=CID2427901
*''Officers' manual : Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands.'' (Washington, 1866) {{FSDL|110406}}
|title=United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner, 1865-1872
|scheduled=
}}  


== Citing This Collection ==
[[Category:NARA_records]]
=== United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner, 1865-1872 ===
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.
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=== North Carolina, Freedmen's Bureau Assistant Commissioner Records, 1862-1870 ===
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.
{{Collection citation}}
{{Record_Citation}}
{{Image_Citation}}
[[Category:NARA_Freedmen's_Bureau Records]]
[[pt:Estados Unidos, Agência de Libertos, Registros do Comissário Assistente (Registros Históricos do FamilySearch)]]

Revision as of 14:12, 13 October 2014

FamilySearch Record Search This article describes a collection of historical records scheduled to become available at FamilySearch.org.
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Record Description[edit | edit source]

The collection consists of images of records of the Assistant Commissioner of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands (often called the Freedmen’s Bureau). The bureau was created in 1865 at the end of the American Civil War to supervise relief efforts including education, health care, food and clothing, refugee camps, legalization of marriages, employment, labor contracts, and securing back pay, bounty payments and pensions.

These records include letters and endorsements sent and received, account books, applications for rations, applications for relief, court records, labor contracts, registers of bounty claimants, registers of complaints, registers of contracts, registers of disbursements, registers of freedmen issued rations, registers of patients, reports, rosters of officers and employees, special and general orders and circulars received, special orders and circulars issued, records relating to claims, court trials, property restoration, and homesteads.

This collection corresponds with the following NARA microfilm publications, Alabama, M809; Arkansas, M979; District of Columbia, M1055; Georgia, M798; Louisiana, M1027; Mississippi, M826; South Carolina, M869; Tennessee, M999; Texas, M821; Virginia, M1048. English

You will be able to browse through images in this collection when it is published.

Record Content[edit | edit source]

The following important information is often found in Bureau records:

  • Name of the freedman
  • Name of the freedman’s former owner
  • Date of the record
  • Birthplace
  • Residence
  • Age
  • Document dates

How to Use the Records[edit | edit source]

To begin your search it is helpful to know

  • The name of your ancestor
  • Identifying information such as name of spouse, age birthplace or residence

Search the Collection[edit | edit source]

To search the collection:
⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page
⇒Select the appropriate "Freedmen's Bureau Office or Location"
⇒Select the appropriate "NARA Roll Number-Contents" which takes you to the images.

Look at each image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:

  • There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
  • You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
  • Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.

Using the Information[edit | edit source]

When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors. The following examples show ways you can use the information:

  • Use the estimated age to calculate a birth date.
  • Use the names, ages, and residence to search the census records.

Tips to Keep in Mind[edit | edit source]

  • Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives.
  • When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
  • You may need to compare the information of more than one family or person to make this determination.
  • Be aware that your ancestor may have used more than one name during their lifetime.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?[edit | edit source]

  • Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names.
  • Try alternative search methods such as only filling in the surname search box (or the given name search box) on the landing page leaving the other box empty and then click on search. This should return a list of everyone with that particular name. You could then browse the list for individuals with the same family number.

Additional Information About These Records[edit | edit source]

The Freedmen’s Bureau records are a major source of genealogical information about post Civil War African Americans. They are also a good source to quickly identify a family group and residence. Use the place of residence, age, and other information for each person to search for the individuals in census records and other types of records.

The Freedmen’s Bank Records are the most commonly known records created by the Freedmen’s Bureau and have also been described separately.

The original records are preserved at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland. Copies of the original records are available at the National Archives Building in Washington D.C. and the regional archives located in Alaska, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington State. The records were microfilmed in 2001 the microfilms are available at the Family History Library.

The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands was established in the War Department in March of 1865. It was commonly called the Freedman’s Bureau and was responsible for the management and supervision of matters relating to refuges, freedmen, and abandoned lands. The Bureau assisted disenfranchised Americans, primarily African Americans, with temporal, legal and financial matters, with the intent of helping people to become self-sufficient. Matters handled included the distributing of food and clothing; operating temporary medical facilities; acquiring back pay, bounty payments, and pensions; facilitating the creation of schools, including the founding of Howard University; reuniting family members; handling marriages; and providing banking services. Banking services were provided by the establishment of the Freedman’s Saving and Trust Company, or Freedman’s Bank.

The Bureau functioned as an agency of the War Department from approximately June 1865 until December 1868. In 1872, the functions of the Bureau were transferred to the Freedmen’s Branch of the Adjutant General’s Office.

The Bureau assisted over one million African Americans, including many of the nearly four million emancipated slaves, which was over 25% of the population of former slaves in America.

The records identify those who sought help from the Bureau at the end of the Civil War. Most supplicants were freed slaves, some of which were military veterans. In addition, a few veterans who were not African Americans also sought help from the Bureau.

Freedmen’s Bureau records are usually reliable, because the records were supplied through first-person correspondence or the recording of a marriage.

Related FamilySearch Historical Records Collection Articles[edit | edit source]

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Contributions to This Article[edit | edit source]

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Citations for This Collection[edit | edit source]

When you copy information from a record, you should list where you found the information; that is, cite your sources. This will help people find the record again and evaluate the reliability of the source. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records. Citations are available for the collection as a whole and each record or image individually.

Collection citation:

Collection Citation:
The citation for this collection can be found on the Collection Details Page in the section Cite This Collection.



Image citation:
This template has been deprecated and is no longer used.

The image citation will be available once the collection is published.
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