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

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| start_year = 1865
| start_year = 1865
| end_year = 1872
| 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_nr =  
| micro_pub_title =  
| micro_pub_title =  
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| NAID = [https://catalog.archives.gov/id/434 434]
| NAID = [https://catalog.archives.gov/id/434 434]
| language =  
| language =  
| FS_URL_01 = [[GuidedResearch:United States|United States Guided Research]]
| FS_URL_01 =[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2431126?collectionNameFilter=false Records of the Commissioner]  
| FS_URL_02 = [[United States Record Finder]]
| FS_URL_02 =[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2427901?collectionNameFilter=false Records of the Assistant Commissioner]  
| FS_URL_03 = [[United States Research Tips and Strategies]]
| FS_URL_03 =[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2427894?collectionNameFilter=false Superintendent of Education and the Division of Education Records]  
| FS_URL_04 = [[African American Genealogy]] 
| FS_URL_04 =[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1417695?collectionNameFilter=true Freedmen’s Bank]  
| FS_URL_05 = [[African American Freedmen's Bureau Records]]   
| FS_URL_05 =[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1438024?collectionNameFilter=false 1870 Census]   
| FS_URL_06 = [[Quick Guide to African American Records]]  
| FS_URL_06 =[[African American Freedman's Savings and Trust Company Records]]
| FS_URL_07 = [[Getting Started With African American Research]]  
| FS_URL_07 =[[African American Freedmen's Bureau Records]]  
| FS_URL_08 = [[Researching African American Genealogy]]
| FS_URL_08 =[[African American Genealogy]]  
| FS_URL_09 = [[African American Introduction]]
| FS_URL_09 =
| FS_URL_10 = [[African American Migration]]
| FS_URL_10 =  
| FS_URL_11 = [[African American Archives and Libraries]]
| RW_URL_01 =[http://mappingthefreedmensbureau.com/maps/ Mapping the Freedmen's Bureau]  
| FS_URL_12 = [[African American Freedman's Savings and Trust Company Records]]
| RW_URL_02 =[http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/1997/summer/freedmens-bureau-records.html  NARA Freedmen's Bureau Records: An Overview]  
| Coverage =
| RW_URL_03 =[http://www.archives.gov/atlanta/finding-aids/freedmens-bureau.pdf NARA  Genealogical Finding Aid]  
| Inventory =
| RW_URL_04 =[http://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/freedmens-bureau/ NARA Freedmen's Bureau, 1865-1872]  
| DFNL = [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen's Complaints Digital Folder Number List|Digital Folder Number List]]
| RW_URL_05 =[http://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/freedmens-bureau/highlights.html NARA Selected Images of Freedmen's Bureau Records]
| RW_URL_01 = [http://mappingthefreedmensbureau.com/maps/ Mapping the Freedmen's Bureau]  
| RW_URL_06 =[http://www.freedmensbureau.com/ The Freedmen's Bureau Online]
| RW_URL_02 = [http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/1997/summer/freedmens-bureau-records.html  NARA Freedmen's Bureau Records: An Overview]  
| RW_URL_07 =[http://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/freedmens-bureau/resources.html NARA Freedmen's Bureau Resources]
| RW_URL_03 = [http://www.archives.gov/atlanta/finding-aids/freedmens-bureau.pdf NARA  Genealogical Finding Aid]  
| RW_URL_08 =[http://www.freedmen.umd.edu/ Freedmen & Southern Society Project University of Maryland]
| RW_URL_04 = [http://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/freedmens-bureau/ NARA Freedmen's Bureau, 1865-1872]  
| RW_URL_05 = [http://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/freedmens-bureau/highlights.html NARA Selected Images of Freedmen's Bureau Records]
| RW_URL_06 = [http://www.freedmensbureau.com/ The Freedmen's Bureau Online]
| RW_URL_07 = [http://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/freedmens-bureau/resources.html NARA Freedmen's Bureau Resources]
| RW_URL_08 = [http://www.freedmen.umd.edu/ Freedmen & Southern Society Project University of Maryland]
| RW_URL_09 =
| RW_URL_09 =
}}
}}
== What is in This Collection? ==
== What is in This Collection? ==
This collection consist of index & images of registers of complaints and other records related to civil rights complaints. The complaints consisted of problems which freedmen brought to the Bureau's attention. Many registers give the names of freedmen and the nature of the complaint, but others give only a synopsis of the case without names.
This collection includes records from 1865-1872
 
To locate additional information on the indexed collections in this publication see the coverage table section and related coverage table link located in this article under the heading Collection Content. The links in the state column will direct you to the browse collection landing page.
 
=== 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 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.
Index and images of registers of complaints and other records related to civil rights complaints. The complaints consisted of problems which freedmen brought to the Bureau's attention. Many registers give the names of freedmen and the nature of the complaint, but others give only a synopsis of the case without names.  


=== National Museum of African American History & Culture ===
The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands (often called the Freedmen’s 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. The records are from the field office records of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland/Delaware, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.  
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]


{{HR Add}}
==What Can These Records Tell Me?==
=== Index and Image Visibility ===
{{Image Visibility}}


== What Can These Records Tell Me? ==
'''Complaint Books or Registers ''' may contain the following information:
The following information may be found in these records:
*No
{{columns-list|2|
*When Received [Date]
*When Received [Date]
*Complainant or Inquirer
*Complainant or Inquirer
Line 88: Line 67:
*Result of Action
*Result of Action
*Final Action of Complaint Division
*Final Action of Complaint Division
}}
 
== Collection Content ==
== Collection Content ==
=== Sample Images ===
 
<gallery widths="160px" heights="120px" perrow="4">
To see the records indexed and their localities see the coverage table [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen's Complaints,1865-1872 Coverage Table]]
Image:Georgia, Freedmen's Bureau Records of Complaints, 1867 004139654 00258.jpg|1867 Register of Complaints
 
Image:Georgia Freedmen's Bureau Records of Complaints, 1867 004139857 00824.jpg|1867 Orders Sent to Local Citizens
===Sample Images===
Image:Virginia, Freedmen's Bureau Records of Complaints, 1866 004151179 00412.jpg|1866 Case Tried
<gallery>
Image:Virginia, Freedmen's Bureau Records of Complaints, 1866 004151311 00269.jpg|1866 Bill of Lading
Image:Freedmen's Bureau Records of Complaints dgs004139654 258.jpg|Register of Complaints
Image:South Carolina, Freedmen's Bureau Records of Complaints, 1866 007492041 00166.jpg|1866 Requests for Restitution
Image:Freedmen's Bureau Records of Complaints dgs004139857 824.jpg|Orders Sent to Local Citizens
Image:Freedmen's Bureau Records of Complaints dgs004151179 412.jpg|Case Tried
Image:Freedmen's Bureau Records of Complaints dgs004151311 269.jpg|Bill of Lading
Image:Freedmen's Bureau Records of Complaints dgs007492041 166.jpg|Release from Jail
</gallery>
</gallery>
=== Digital Folder Number List ===
 
{{DFNL_List | page = [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen's Complaints Digital Folder Number List]] }}
== How Do I Search This Collection? ==
== How Do I Search This Collection? ==
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
To begin your search it is helpful to know:
*The name of your ancestor
*The name of your ancestor.
*The approximate age of your ancestor
*The approximate age of your ancestor.
*The place where your ancestor lived
*The place where your ancestor lived.
*The name of the former slave owner
*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 ===
=== Search the Index ===
{{Search Collection Link | CID=CID2492627 }}
{{Search Collection Link
=== View the Images ===
| CID=CID2492627
{{DFNL View |page = [https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/United_States,_Freedmen's_Bureau,_Records_of_Freedmen's_Complaints_Digital_Folder_Number_List Digital Folder Number List]
}}
|CID = 2492627 }}
 
{{HR Tip|More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog {{FSC|2492627|item|disp=United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen's Complaints, 1865-1872}}. Some catalog records link to multiple references. In this case, click on a reference to find a camera icon to see images.}}
=== How Do I Analyze the Results? ===
=== 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]].
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?==
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.
===I Found Who I was Looking For, What Now?===
*Use the information found to search for the family in census records.
*Use the information found to search for the family in church records.
*Use the information found to search for the family in land and probate records.
*Use the information found to search for the family in additional state and county records.
=== I Can't Find Who I'm Looking For, What Now? ===
 
*There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
*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.
*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.
 
== General Information About Freedmen's Bureau Records  ==


== What Do I Do Next? ==
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>
===I Found the Person I was Looking For, What Now?===
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>
*Add any new information to your 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. <br><br>
*Use the information found to search for the family in census, church, land and probate records, and additional state and county 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. Freedmen’s Bureau records are usually reliable, because the records were supplied through first-person correspondence or the recording of a marriage.  
*If available, check the image for additional information
 
*Analyze the entry to see if it provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family
== Citations for This Collection ==
=== I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now? ===
*There may be more than one person in the records with the same name
*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
*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
=== 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]]
== Other FamilySearch Collections ==
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.
=== FamilySearch Catalog ===
*{{FSC|829837|item|disp=Dee Parmer Woodtor, ''Finding a place called home : a guide to African-American genealogy and historical identity'' New York, New York : Random House, c1999 FS Library 973 F2wd}} See chapter 8
*{{FSC|722504|item|disp= Paula K. Byers, ed. ''African American genealogical sourcebook'' New York, New York : Gale Research, c1995 FS Library 973 F27afg}} See pages 68-98 The Freedmen's Bureau
*{{FSC|4440734|item|disp=George R. Bentley, ''A history of the Freedmen's Bureau.'' Reprint. Philadelphia, PA : University of Pennsylvania, 1955. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : University of Pennsylvania, 2016 FS Library Philadelphia, Pennsylvania : University of Pennsylvania, 2016. FS Library 973.714 F875b}}
*{{FSC|3416545|item|disp=edited by Richard Zuczek, ''Encyclopedia of the Reconstruction Era.'' 2 volumes. Westport, Connecticut : Greenwood Press, ©2006 FS Library 973 N26z }}
=== FamilySearch Historical Records ===
*{{RecordSearch|2431126|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Commissioner, 1865-1872}}
*{{RecordSearch|2427901|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner, 1865-1872}}
*{{RecordSearch|2427894|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education, 1865-1872}} 
*{{RecordSearch|1417695|United States, Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1874}}
*{{RecordSearch|1438024|United States Census, 1870}}
=== FamilySearch Digital Library ===
*{{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.'' 3 vols. Washington, D.C. : National Archives and Records Service, 1973.}}
*{{FSC|2021516|item|disp=''Officers' manual : Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands.'' (Washington, 1866)}}
== Citing This Collection ==
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.
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}}
 
;Collection Citation:
 
{{Collection citation | text= "United States, Freedmen's Bureau,Records of Freedmen's Complaints, 1865-1872." Images. <i>FamilySearch</i>. <nowiki>http://FamilySearch.org</nowiki> : accessed 2017. Citing National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.}}  
 
{{Record_Citation}}
{{Record_Citation}}
{{Image_Citation}}
{{Image_Citation}}
[[Category:NARA_Freedmen's_Bureau Records]][[Category:Collections with a Digital Browse]]
 
[[pt:Estados Unidos, Agência de Libertos, Registros de Queixas do Libertos (Registros Históricos do FamilySearch)]]
'''[[#top|Top of Page]]'''
 
== How Can I Contribute to the FamilySearch Wiki? ==
{{Contributor_invite}}
[[Category:NARA_Freedmen's_Bureau Records]]

Revision as of 12:12, 1 November 2017

United States

Access the Records
United States Freedmen’s Bureau, Records of Freedmen’s Complaints, 1865-1872
CID2492627
{{{CID2}}}
{{{CID3}}}
{{{CID4}}}
{{{CID5}}}
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This article describes a collection of records at FamilySearch.org.

United States
Flag of the United States of America
Flag of the United States of America
National Archives and Records Administration Logo
National Archives and Records Administration Logo
Location of the United States of America
Location of the United States of America
Record Description
Record Type War Department Records
Record Group RG 105: Records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, 1865-1872
Collection years 1865-1872
National Archives Identifier 434
FamilySearch Resources
Related Websites
Archive
National Archives and Records Administration


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

This collection includes records from 1865-1872

Index and images of registers of complaints and other records related to civil rights complaints. The complaints consisted of problems which freedmen brought to the Bureau's attention. Many registers give the names of freedmen and the nature of the complaint, but others give only a synopsis of the case without names.

The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands (often called the Freedmen’s 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. The records are from the field office records of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland/Delaware, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

What Can These Records Tell Me?[edit | edit source]

Complaint Books or Registers may contain the following information:

  • No
  • When Received [Date]
  • Complainant or Inquirer
  • Complaint or Inquiry
  • Of Whom Complained
  • Action and When Taken
  • Result of Action
  • Final Action of Complaint Division

Collection Content[edit | edit source]

To see the records indexed and their localities see the coverage table United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen's Complaints,1865-1872 Coverage Table

Sample Images[edit | edit source]

  • Freedmen's Bureau Records of Complaints dgs004139654 258.jpg

    Register of Complaints

  • Freedmen's Bureau Records of Complaints dgs004139857 824.jpg

    Orders Sent to Local Citizens

  • Freedmen's Bureau Records of Complaints dgs004151179 412.jpg

    Case Tried

  • Freedmen's Bureau Records of Complaints dgs004151311 269.jpg

    Bill of Lading

  • Freedmen's Bureau Records of Complaints dgs007492041 166.jpg

    Release from Jail

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

To begin your search 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.

Search the Index[edit | edit source]

Search by name on the Collection Details Page.
  1. Enter the information in the fields in the Search Collection section or click More Options to see additional fields
  2. Click Search to show possible matches


How Do I Analyze the Results?[edit | edit source]

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 research log.

What Do I Do Next?[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.

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

  • Use the information found to search for the family in census records.
  • Use the information found to search for the family in church records.
  • Use the information found to search for the family in land and probate records.
  • Use the information found to search for the family in additional state and county records.

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

  • There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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.

Citations for This Collection[edit | edit source]

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
Collection Citation:
The citation for this collection can be found on the Collection Details Page in the section Cite This Collection.
Record Citation:
When looking at a record, the citation can be viewed by clicking the drop-down arrow next to Document Information.
Image Citation:
When looking at an image, the citation is found on the Information tab at the bottom left of the screen.

Top of Page

How Can I Contribute to the FamilySearch Wiki?[edit | edit source]

Template:Contributor invite

To access available information, first log into FamilySearch.

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