United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education - FamilySearch Historical Records: Difference between revisions

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*Document dates
*Document dates


== How Do I Search the Collection? ==
== How Do I Search the Collection? ==


To begin your search it is helpful to know  
The Freedmen’s Bureau records are a major source of genealogical information about post Civil War African Americans. To begin your search it is helpful to know the name and some other identifying information such as age, residence or former owner.


*The name of your ancestor  
'''Search by Name by visiting the [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2427894 Collection Page]:'''<br> Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.
*Identifying information such as name of spouse, age birthplace or residence


=== Searching the Collection  ===
'''View images in this collection by visiting the [https://familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https://familysearch.org/recapi/sord/collection/2427894/waypoints Browse Page]:'''<br>To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links:<br> ⇒Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page<br> ⇒Select the "Education Division or State"<br> ⇒Select the "NARA Roll Number Film Notes" which takes you to the images<br>


'''To browse by image:'''<br>To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links:<br>⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page:<br> ⇒Select the appropriate” Education Division or State  <br> ⇒Select the appropriate "NARA Roll Number Film Notes”  <br>  which will take 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.  


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:
==I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?==
 
When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details such as a title, an occupation, or land ownership. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors. For example 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.
 
=== Tips to Keep in Mind ===


*There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.  
*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.  
*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.
*Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.
*The records are a good source to quickly identify a family group and residence.
*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.


== What Do I Do Next?  ==
== I Can't Find Who I'm Looking for, What Now? ==
 
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.
 
== What if I Can't Find Who I'm Looking For? ==
 
*Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names.
 
=== 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.  
*Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names.
*Look for another index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records.
*Search the indexes and records of nearby counties.
*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 that may be your ancestor.


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.
== General Information About Freedmen's Bureau Records  ==


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 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. <br><br>
 
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.<br> <br>
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. <br><br>
 
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.  
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  ==
== Related FamilySearch Historical Records Collection Articles  ==
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*[[Texas, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]  
*[[Texas, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]  
*[[Virginia, Freedmen's Bureau Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[Virginia, Freedmen's Bureau Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
== How You Can Contribute  ==
{{Contributor_invite}}


==Citing this Collection==
==Citing this Collection==
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'''Collection Citation''':<br> {{Collection citation | text= "United States, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education, 1865-1872." Images. <i>FamilySearch</i>. http://FamilySearch.org : accessed 2016. Citing multiple NARA microfilm publications. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1969-1978.}}<br><br>  
'''Collection Citation''':<br> {{Collection citation | text= "United States, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education, 1865-1872." Images. <i>FamilySearch</i>. http://FamilySearch.org : accessed 2016. Citing multiple NARA microfilm publications. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1969-1978.}}<br><br>  
'''Record citation''' (or citation for the index entry):<br> {{Record Citation Link
|CID=CID2427894
|title=United States, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education, 1865-1872
}}


'''Image Citation''':<br> {{Image Citation Link
'''Image Citation''':<br> {{Image Citation Link
Line 157: Line 141:
|title=United States, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education, 1865-1872
|title=United States, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education, 1865-1872
}}
}}
== How You Can Contribute  ==
{{Contributor_invite}}
[[Category:NARA_Freedmen's_Bureau]]
[[Category:NARA_Freedmen's_Bureau]]

Revision as of 14:31, 11 October 2016

United States

Access the Records
United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education, 1865-1872
CID2427894
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This article describes a collection of records at FamilySearch.org.

United States
United States flag.png
Flag of the United States of America
NARA logo circular black on white.jpg
National Archives and Records Administration Logo
Record Description
Record Type Monthly Teacher Reports and Monthly Reports of the Sub-Assistant Commissioner or Agents
Record Group RG 105: Records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands
Collection years 1865-1872
National Archives Identifier 434
FamilySearch Resources
Related Websites
Archive
National Archives and Records Administration


What is in the Collection?[edit | edit source]

The collection consists of images of the records of the Superintendent of Education and the Education Division of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands (often called the Freedmen’s Bureau). Most of the collection will consist of monthly teacher reports and monthly reports of the sub-assistant commissioner or agents. The event date is the date the report was completed either by the teacher or agent. Reports can also identify the name and location of schools as well as the society sponsoring a teacher.

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:

You can browse through images in this collection using the waypoints on the Collection Browse Page for United States, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education, 1865-1872.

Collection Content[edit | edit source]

Sample Images[edit | edit source]

  • United States, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education
  • Appointment Request

    Appointment Request

  • Letter of Appointment

    Letter of Appointment

  • Teacher's Monthly Report

    Teacher's Monthly Report

The information varies by document. You may find any of the following:

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

How Do I Search the Collection?[edit | edit source]

The Freedmen’s Bureau records are a major source of genealogical information about post Civil War African Americans. To begin your search it is helpful to know the name and some other identifying information such as age, residence or former owner.

Search by Name by visiting the Collection Page:
Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.

View images in this collection by visiting the Browse Page:
To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links:
⇒Select the "Browse" link in the initial search page
⇒Select the "Education Division or State"
⇒Select the "NARA Roll Number Film Notes" 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.

I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?[edit | edit source]

When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details such as a title, an occupation, or land ownership. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors. For example 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.

Tips to Keep in Mind[edit | edit source]

  • 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.
  • The records are a good source to quickly identify a family group and residence.
  • 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.

I Can't Find Who I'm Looking for, What Now?[edit | edit source]

  • Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names.
  • Look for another index. Local genealogical and historical societies often have indexes to local records.
  • Search the indexes and records of nearby counties.
  • 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 that may be your ancestor.

General Information About Freedmen's Bureau Records[edit | edit source]

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]

Citing this Collection[edit | edit source]

Citing your sources makes it easy for others to find and evaluate the records you used. When you copy information from a record, list where you found that information. Here you can find citations already created for the entire collection and for each individual record or image.

Collection Citation:

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



Record citation (or citation for the index entry):

When looking at a record, the citation is found below the record. You can search records in this collection by visiting the search page for United States, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education, 1865-1872.


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

When looking at an image, the citation is found on the Information tab at the bottom left of the screen. You can browse through images in this collection by visiting the browse page for United States, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education, 1865-1872.


How You Can Contribute[edit | edit source]

Template:Contributor invite

To access available information, first log into FamilySearch.

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