African American Resources for Arkansas: Difference between revisions

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<div id="fsButtons"><span class="online_records_button">[[African American Online Genealogy Records]]</span></div>
{{Click|Image:AA_ORP.png|African_American_Online_Genealogy_Records}}  
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==Introduction==
==Introduction==
This guide focuses on sources that are specific to the African American experience in Arkansas. Check out the [[Arkansas]] and [[African American Genealogy|African American]] guides on FamilySearch.org as well.
This guide focuses on sources that are specific to the African American experience in Arkansas. Check out the [[Arkansas]] and [[African American Genealogy|African American]] guides on FamilySearch.org as well.


==Online Resources==
==Online Resources==
<li>'''1861-1872''' {{RecordSearch|1414908|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Marriages, 1861-1872}} at FamilySearch — [[United States Freedmen’s Bureau Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]] </li>
*[http://www.discoverfreedmen.org/ DiscoverFreedmen]
<li>[https://mappingthefreedmensbureau.com/maps/map/ Interactive Map of Freedmen's Bureau Offices with Links to Online Records] at Mapping the Freedmen's Bureau - images; FamilySearch collections</li>
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1417695 United States, Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1874]
<li>'''1865-1874''' {{RecordSearch|1417695|United States, Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1874}} at FamilySearch — [[United States, Freedman's Bank Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]] </li>
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1674710 Arkansas Deaths and Burials, 1882-1929; 1945-1963] Index only. Includes name, gender, date and place, age, birthplace, occupation, race, and marital status.
<li>[https://mappingthefreedmensbureau.com/freedmans-savings-and-trust-freedmans-bank/ Interactive Map of Freedman's Bank Branches with Links to Online Records] at Mapping the Freedmen's Bureau - images; FamilySearch collections</li>
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1940760 Arkansas Death Index, 1914-1950] Index only. Includes name, death date and place, gender, age, and race
<li>'''1882-1929, 1945-1963''' {{RecordSearch|1674710|Arkansas Deaths and Burials, 1882-1929; 1945-1963}} at FamilySearch; index — [[Arkansas Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]] </li>
*[https://sites.google.com/view/arkansasslavenames/home Arkansas Slave Names]
<li>'''1914-1950''' {{RecordSearch|1940760|Arkansas Death Index, 1914-1950}} at FamilySearch; index — [[Arkansas Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]] </li>
<li>[[African American Digital Bookshelf]] - a growing list of digital books on FamilySearch and other websites</li>
<li>[https://sites.google.com/view/arkansasslavenames/home Arkansas Slave Names]</li>
<li>[http://www.discoverfreedmen.org/ DiscoverFreedmen]</li>


==Research Strategy==
==Research Strategy==
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===Biographies===
===Biographies===
===Cemeteries===
===Cemeteries===
 
*[http://africanamericancemeteries.com/ar/ African American Cemeteries Online: Arkansas] - organized by county.
<li>[http://africanamericancemeteries.com/ar/ African American Cemeteries Online: Arkansas] - organized by county</li>
*[https://arkansasgravestones.org/search.php Arkansas Gravestones]  
<li>[https://arkansasgravestones.org/search.php Arkansas Gravestones]</li>
*[http://agp.arkansasgravestones.org/ Arkansas Gravestones Project]  
<li>[http://agp.arkansasgravestones.org/ Arkansas Gravestones Project]</li>


===Census Records===
===Census Records===
===Church Records===
===Church Records===
 
*[http://www.ark-cat.com/search/detail.aspx?id=412 Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church records (1944-1983)] are located in the state archives (Arkansas History Commission). This collection contains the church board, treasurer, and Sunday school records of the Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), of Sweet Home, Arkansas, 1944-1983.  
<li>[http://www.ark-cat.com/search/detail.aspx?id=412 Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church records (1944-1983)] are located in the state archives (Arkansas History Commission). This collection contains the church board, treasurer, and Sunday school records of the Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), of Sweet Home, Arkansas, 1944-1983.</li>
*First Missionary Baptist Church [Little Rock] (1845- ) [http://www.blackpast.org/aah/first-missionary-baptist-church-little-rock-arkansas-1845 History]
<li>First Missionary Baptist Church [Little Rock] (1845- ) [http://www.blackpast.org/aah/first-missionary-baptist-church-little-rock-arkansas-1845 History]</li>
*Clark, John Franklin. ''A Brief History of Negro Baptists in Arkansas: A Story of Their Progress and Development, 1867-1939.'' Pine Bluff, Ark.: [s.n.], 1938. {{WorldCat|18582044|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat).}}
<li>Clark, John Franklin. ''A Brief History of Negro Baptists in Arkansas: A Story of Their Progress and Development, 1867-1939.'' Pine Bluff, Ark.: [s.n.], 1938. {{WorldCat|18582044|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat).}}</li>


===Emancipation Records===
===Emancipation Records===
===Funeral Homes===
===Funeral Homes===
*[https://app.air.inc/a/borzvL1af/b/8dc76b25-27b0-42b5-a889-6c7027db068f CAAGS Obituary and Funeral Home Collection] at California African American Genealogical Society - index & images
===Genealogies===
===Genealogies===
 
*[http://www.arkansasgenealogy.com/aa "Arkansas African-American Records"] at ''Arkansas Genealogy''. Provides resources, including links to African American cemeteries, military records, slave records, and more.
<li>[http://www.arkansasgenealogy.com/aa "Arkansas African American Records"] at ''Arkansas Genealogy''. Provides resources, including links to African American cemeteries, military records, records of enslaved persons, and more.</li>


===Land and Property===
===Land and Property===
Visit the [[Arkansas Land and Property]] page to learn more about land records and how to access them.  Check the deed book indexes for the years before 1865 for enslaved people listed in the "Description" column. Most county courthouse deed books are digitized on [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch.org]. Search the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch Catalog] by county.
Visit the [[Arkansas Land and Property]] page to learn more about land records and how to access them.  Check the deed book indexes for the years before 1865 for enslaved people listed in the "Description" column. Most county courthouse deed books are digitized on [https://www.familysearch.org/catalog/search FamilySearch.org]. Search the [https://www.familysearch.org/catalog/search FamilySearch Catalog] by county.


====Plantation====
====Plantation====
<li>[https://sankofagenus.com/arkansas/ Sankofagen: Arkansas plantations and enslaved labor sites]</li>
=== Law and Legislation ===
*{{FSC|723107|item|disp=State slavery statutes: Arkansas, ca. 1818-1864 (8 fiche) FS Library 6118903}}
===Obituaries===
*[https://app.air.inc/a/borzvL1af/b/8dc76b25-27b0-42b5-a889-6c7027db068f CAAGS Obituary and Funeral Home Collection] at California African American Genealogical Society - index & images
===Oral Histories===
===Oral Histories===
*{{FSC|61226|item|disp=George P. Rawick, general editor ; Jan Hillegas, Ken Lawrence, editors, ''The American slave : A composite autobiography, 30 Volumes. Westport, Connecticut : Greenwood Pub. Co., 1971-1977 FS Library 973 F2aa}}
===Other Records===
===Other Records===
===Military Records===
===Military Records===
''' Civil War'''
*[http://www.ark-cat.com/search/detail.aspx?id=1203 Arkansas and Missouri Union Army muster rolls 1863-1864]. This collection contains the muster rolls for the Second and Third Regiments, Arkansas Infantry volunteers of African descent, and a couple of Missouri regiments (Arkansas History Commission).  
*[http://www.ark-cat.com/search/detail.aspx?id=1203 Arkansas and Missouri Union Army muster rolls 1863-1864]. This collection contains the muster rolls for the Second and Third Regiments, Arkansas Infantry volunteers of African descent, and a couple of Missouri regiments (Arkansas History Commission).
*[http://www.ark-cat.com/search/detail.aspx?id=650 Company G, 2nd Arkansas Volunteers of African Descent, United States of America, records]. This collection contains records pertaining to Company G, 2nd Arkansas Volunteers, United States Army, during the Civil War.
*[http://www.ark-cat.com/search/detail.aspx?id=650 Company G, 2nd Arkansas Volunteers of African Descent, United States of America, records]. This collection contains records pertaining to Company G, 2nd Arkansas Volunteers, United States Army, during the Civil War.
*T[http://usctchronicle.blogspot.com/search/label/Arkansas%20USCT he USCT Chronicle: Arkansas]. This collection contains stories of the United States Colored Troops as recorded by genealogist Angela Walton-Raji. This link has all of her posts on Arkansas soldiers.
*T[http://usctchronicle.blogspot.com/search/label/Arkansas%20USCT he USCT Chronicle: Arkansas]. This collection contains stories of the United States Colored Troops as recorded by genealogist Angela Walton-Raji. This link has all of her posts on Arkansas soldiers.
*[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1107 U.S., Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865 ($)]. This database contains military records of African Americans who served in the Union during the Civil War.
*[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1107 U.S., Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865 ($)]. This database contains military records of African Americans who served in the Union during the Civil War.  
 
''' World War I '''
*{{FSC|1231326|item|disp=Desmond Walls Allen. ''Index to Arkansas' World War I African American soldiers''Conway, Arkansas : Arkansas Research, Inc., 2002 FS Library DGS 7540974}}


===Newspapers===
===Newspapers===
[https://informationwanted.org/ Last Seen: Finding Family After Slavery]
===Probate Records===
===Probate Records===
Visit the [[Arkansas Probate Records]] page to learn more about probate in Arkansas and how to find them.  Pre-1865 records could contain the names of enslaved people from the slaveholder's probate records.
Visit the [[Arkansas Probate Records]] page to learn more about probate in Arkansas and how to find them.  Pre-1865 records could contain the names of enslaved people from the slaveowner's probate records.
 
Garrett-Nelson, LaBrenda. ''Gleaning Information about Enslaved Ancestors from Probate Files'' NGS Magazine 48 #2 (April-June 2022): 23-27 FS Library 973 D25ngs


===Reconstruction Records===
===Reconstruction Records===
====Freedman’s Bank====
====Freedman’s Bank====
An excellent source is the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company (visit the [[African American Freedman's Savings and Trust Company Records]] page to learn more). This company was created to assist African American soldiers of the Civil War and Freedmen. Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company signature cards or registers from 3 March 1865 to 25 July 1874 may list the name of the depositor, date of entry, age, birthplace, residence, complexion, name of employer or occupation, wife or husband’s name, death information, children’s names, name of father and mother, brothers’ and sisters’ names, remarks, and signature. Early books sometimes contained the name of the former master or mistress and the name of the plantation. Copies of death certificates were sometimes attached to the entries. <br>
An excellent source is the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company (visit the [[African American Freedman's Savings and Trust Company Records]] page to learn more). This company was created to assist African-American soldiers of the Civil War and freed slaves. Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company signature cards or registers from 3 March 1865 to 25 July 1874 may list the name of the depositor, date of entry, age, birthplace, residence, complexion, name of employer or occupation, wife or husband’s name, death information, children’s names, name of father and mother, brothers’ and sisters’ names, remarks, and signature. Early books sometimes contained the name of the former master or mistress and the name of the plantation. Copies of death certificates were sometimes attached to the entries. <br>


Online collections of Freedman's Bank records:
Online collections of Freedman's Bank records:
 
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1417695 United States, Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1874]
*United States, Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1874 at FamilySearch; {{RecordSearch|1417695|index}} and  {{RecordSearch|1417695|images|access=browse}} — [[United States, Freedman's Bank Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/image/index?owc=3MDR-K62%3A1551794603%3Fcc%3D1417695 Freedman's Bank Records for Little Rock, Arkansas] - browsable images for Little Rock, Arkansas
*[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8755/ U.S., Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1874] at Ancestry
*[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8755 U.S., Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1871 ($)]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/image/index?owc=3MDR-K62%3A1551794603%3Fcc%3D1417695 Freedman's Bank Records for Little Rock, Arkansas] at FamilySearch; browsable images
*[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8755 U.S., Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1871] at Ancestry (free)
*[https://mappingthefreedmensbureau.com/freedmans-savings-and-trust-freedmans-bank/ Interactive Map of Freedman's Bank Branches with Links to Online Records] at Mapping the Freedmen's Bureau - images; FamilySearch collections


====Freedmen's Bureau====
====Freedmen's Bureau====
The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands was created by the US government in 1865 until 1872 to assist formerly enslaved persons in the southern United States. The Bureau created a wide variety of records extremely valuable to genealogists.  Such documents include censuses, marriage records, and medical records.  These records often include full names, former slaveholders and plantations, and current residences.<ref>"African American Records: Freedmen's Bureau," "African American Heritage," ''National Archives'', accessed 11 May 2018. </ref> For 1865 and 1866, the section on abandoned and confiscated lands includes the names of the owners of the plantations or homes that were abandoned, confiscated, or leased. It gives the county and location, a description of the house, the number of acres owned, and the number of cabins of enslaved persons. These films do not appear to contain the names of the formerly enslaved persons.   
The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands was created by the US government in 1865 until 1872 to assist former slaves in the southern United States. The Bureau created a wide variety of records extremely valuable to genealogists.  Such documents include censuses, marriage records, and medical records.  These records often include full names, former masters and plantations, and current residences.<ref>"African American Records: Freedmen's Bureau," "African American Heritage," ''National Archives'', accessed 11 May 2018. </ref> For 1865 and 1866, the section on abandoned and confiscated lands includes the names of the owners of the plantations or homes that were abandoned, confiscated, or leased. It gives the county and location, a description of the house, the number of acres owned, and the number of cabins of former slaves. These films do not appear to contain the names of former slaves.   


To find Freedmen's Bureau records:
To find Freedmen's Bureau records:


*[http://www.discoverfreedmen.org/ DiscoverFreedmen] - the search on this site will utilize all of the Freedmen's Bureau records on FamilySearch, including:
*[http://www.discoverfreedmen.org/ DiscoverFreedmen] - the search on this site will utilize all of the Freedmen's Bureau records on FamilySearch, including:
**{{RecordSearch|2432941|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Claim Records,1865-1872}} at FamilySearch — [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau Claim Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
**[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2432941 United States, Freedmen's Bureau Claim Records,1865-1872]
**{{RecordSearch|2432992|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Hospital and Medical Records, 1865-1872}} at FamilySearch — [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau Hospital and Medical Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
**[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2432992 United States, Freedmen's Bureau Hospital and Medical Records, 1865-1872]
**[https://mappingthefreedmensbureau.com/freedmens-bureau-hospitals/ Interactive Map of Freedmen's Bureau Hospitals with Links to Online Records] at Mapping the Freedmen's Bureau - images; FamilySearch collections
**[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2475025 United States, Freedmen's Bureau Labor Contracts, Indenture and Apprenticeship Records, 1865-1872]
**{{RecordSearch|2475025|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Labor Contracts, Indenture and Apprenticeship Records, 1865-1872}} at FamilySearch — [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau Labor Contracts, Indenture and Apprenticeship Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
**[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1414908 United States, Freedmen's Bureau Marriages, 1861-1872]
**{{RecordSearch|1414908|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Marriages, 1861-1872}} at FamilySearch — [[United States Freedmen’s Bureau Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
**[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2431759 United States, Freedmen's Bureau Ration Records,1865-1872]
**{{RecordSearch|2431759|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Ration Records,1865-1872}} at FamilySearch — [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau Ration Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
**[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2515868 United States, Freedmen's Bureau Records of Persons and Articles Hired, 1865-1872]
**{{RecordSearch|2515868|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Records of Persons and Articles Hired, 1865-1872}} at FamilySearch — [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau Records of Persons and Articles Hired - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
**[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2515865 United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Freedmen's Court Records, 1865-1872]
**{{RecordSearch|2515865|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Freedmen's Court Records, 1865-1872}} at FamilySearch — [[United States, Freedmen’s Bureau, Freedmen’s Court Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
**[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2515867 United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Land and Property Records, 1865-1872]
**{{RecordSearch|2515867|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Land and Property Records, 1865-1872}} at FamilySearch — [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Land and Property Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
**[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2492627 United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen's Complaints, 1865-1872]
**{{RecordSearch|2492627|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen's Complaints, 1865-1872}} at FamilySearch — [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen's Complaints - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
**[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2427894 United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education, 1865-1872]
**{{RecordSearch|2427894|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education, 1865-1872}} at FamilySearch — [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
 
 
Other collections not included:


*{{RecordSearch|2575789|United States Freedmen's Bureau Miscellaneous Records,1865-1872}} at FamilySearch — [[United States Freedmen's Bureau Miscellaneous Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
Other FamilySearch collections not included:
*{{RecordSearch|2721171|United States Freedmen's Bureau Records of Freedmen, 1865-1872}} at FamilySearch — [[United States Freedmen’s Bureau, Records of Freedmen - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2575789 United States Freedmen's Bureau Miscellaneous Records,1865-1872]
*{{RecordSearch|2328125|Arkansas, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1864-1872}} at FamilySearch; images — [[Arkansas, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2721171 United States Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen, 1865-1872]
*[https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61568/ U.S., Freedmen's Bureau Records of Field Offices, 1863-1878] at Ancestry
*[https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2328125 Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1864-1872] Images only.
*{{RecordSearch|2427901|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner, 1865-1872}} at FamilySearch; images — [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]  
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/2427901 ''United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner, 1865-1872''] Images only. These reports primarily contain statistical and historical information.
*{{RecordSearch|2328125|Arkansas, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1864-1872}} at FamilySearch; images — [[Arkansas, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*{{RecordSearch|2328125|Arkansas, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1864-1872}} Images Only.


Additional Resources:
Additional Resources:
*[http://mappingthefreedmensbureau.com/ Mapping the Freedmen's Bureau] - visual guide to the Freedmen's Bureau Field Offices, Freedmen Schools, contraband camps, and battle site locations the US Colored Troops fought
*[http://mappingthefreedmensbureau.com/ Mapping the Freedmen's Bureau] - visual guide to the Freedmen's Bureau Field Offices, Freedmen Schools, contraband camps, and battle site locations the US Colored Troops fought
*[https://www.archives.gov/files/research/microfilm/m1901.pdf Records of the Field Offices for the State of Arkansas,  Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865–1872] - a National Archives document describing the contents of each field office's records
*[https://www.archives.gov/files/research/microfilm/m1901.pdf Records of the Field Offices for the State of Arkansas,  Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1865–1872] - a National Archives document describing the contents of each field office's records
Line 131: Line 95:
===School Records===
===School Records===
===Slavery Records===
===Slavery Records===
*{{FSC|723107|item|disp=''State slavery statutes.'' Bethesda, Maryland : University Publications of America, c1989. Arkansas FS Library fiche 6118903}}
*[https://arkansasslavery.wordpress.com/ Slavery in Arkansas: A Resource for Genealogists]. Features [https://sites.google.com/view/arkansasslavenames/home Arkansas Slave Names], a searchable, downloadable spreadsheet containing the names of enslaved people, the slaveholders, county, and date and abstract of document.
*[https://arkansasslavery.wordpress.com/ Slavery in Arkansas: A Resource for Genealogists]. Features [https://sites.google.com/view/arkansasslavenames/home Arkansas Slave Names], a searchable, downloadable spreadsheet containing the names of enslaved people, the slaveholders, county, and date and abstract of document.
*Works Project Administration. ''Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves''. Arkansas Narratives, Parts 1–7. Digital version at [http://archive.org/search.php?query=arkansas%20narratives%20AND%20mediatype%3Atexts Internet Archive] made available by Project Gutenberg.
*Works Project Administration. ''Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves''. Arkansas Narratives, Parts 1–7. Digital version at [http://archive.org/search.php?query=arkansas%20narratives%20AND%20mediatype%3Atexts Internet Archive] made available by Project Gutenberg.
*Taylor, Orville W. ''Negro Slavery in Arkansas''. Fayetteville, Arkansas: University of Arkansas Press, 2000. {{FSC|1013376|item|disp=FS Catalog book 976.77 F2t}} {{WorldCat|427195|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat).}}
*Taylor, Orville W. ''Negro Slavery in Arkansas''. Fayetteville, Arkansas: University of Arkansas Press, 2000. {{FHL|1013376|item|disp=FHL book 976.77 F2t}} {{WorldCat|427195|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat).}}
*''George Berry Washington, Black Plantation Owner''. By Iroquois Research Institute prepared for Historic Preservation Associates. - Fairfax, Va.: The Institute, 1981. - iv, 84 leaves: ill. F415.C9 W373
*''George Berry Washington, Black Plantation Owner''. By Iroquois Research Institute prepared for Historic Preservation Associates. - Fairfax, Va.: The Institute, 1981. - iv, 84 leaves: ill. F415.C9 W373
*Burton, Arthur T. ''Black, Buckskin and Blue: African American Scouts and Soldiers on the Western Frontier.'' Austin, Texas: Eaton Press, 1999. {{FSC|824765|item|disp=FS Catalog book 978 F2b}} {{WorldCat|41488875|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat).}}
*Burton, Arthur T. ''Black, Buckskin and Blue: African American Scouts and Soldiers on the Western Frontier.'' Austin, Texas: Eaton Press, 1999. {{FHL|824765|item|disp=FHL book 978 F2b}} {{WorldCat|41488875|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat).}}


===Vital Records===
===Vital Records===
====Birth====
====Birth====
====Marriage====
====Marriage====
The Freedmen's Bureau (1865-1872) was created by the US government to assist formerly enslaved persons in the southern United States. One of their responsibilities was to record the marriages (past and present) of the formerly enslaved. These records can be found in the collections below and include the lists of marriages that occurred previously, marriage certificates, and marriage licenses.  The information contained on the records may include the name of the husband and wife/groom and bride, age, occupation, residence, year or date of marriage, by whom, number of children, and remarks.
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1414908 United States, Freedmen's Bureau Marriages, 1861-1872]
 
*{{RecordSearch|1414908|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Marriages, 1861-1872}} at FamilySearch — [[United States Freedmen’s Bureau Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1231 U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Marriage Records, 1846-1867] at Ancestry ($)
 
====Death====
====Death====
 
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1674710 Arkansas Deaths and Burials, 1882-1929; 1945-1963] Index only. Includes name, gender, date and place, age, birthplace, occupation, race, and marital status.
*{{RecordSearch|1674710|Arkansas Deaths and Burials, 1882-1929; 1945-1963}} at FamilySearch; index — [[Arkansas Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1940760 Arkansas Death Index, 1914-1950] Index only. Includes name, death date and place, gender, age, and race.
*{{RecordSearch|1940760|Arkansas Death Index, 1914-1950}} at FamilySearch; index — [[Arkansas Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
 
====Divorce====
====Divorce====


===Voting Records===
===Voting Registers===
 
*[https://digitalheritage.arkansas.gov/voters-1867-1868/ Register of Legal Voters, 1867-68] at Arkansas Digital Archives
 
==Archives and Libraries==
==Archives and Libraries==
Visit the [[Arkansas Archives and Libraries]] page to learn more about archives and libraries in Arkansas.
Visit the [[Arkansas Archives and Libraries]] page to learn more about archives and libraries in Arkansas.


==Societies==
==Societies==
'''AAHGS Arkansas Chapter'''<br>
Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS)<br>
Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS)<br>
P.O. Box 4294<br>
[https://web.archive.org/web/20171022225145/http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~araahgs/ AAHGS Arkansas Chapter ]<br>
Little Rock, AR 72214<br>
P.O. Box 4294<br>Little Rock, AR 72214 <br>
Website: [http://sites.rootsweb.com/~araahgs/ AAHGS]<br><br>
[http://www.aahgs.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewPage&pageID=542&nodeID=1 Contact]


'''A Museum of African American History'''<br>
[http://www.mosaictemplarscenter.com/ Mosaic Templars of America] (MTA)<br>
Mosaic Templars Cultural Center<br>
Mosaic Templars Cultural Center<br> 501 W. Ninth Street <br>  
501 W. Ninth Street <br>  
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201<br>  
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201<br>  
Telephone: (501) 683-3593<br>
(501) 683-3593
Website: [http://www.mosaictemplarscenter.com/ Mosaic Templars Center]<br><br>


'''Black History Commission of Arkansas'''<br>
[http://www.ark-ives.com/abhac/ Black History Commission of Arkansas]<br>
Arkansas State Archives'''<br>'''
Arkansas History Commission and State Archives[http://www.arkansasgenealogy.com/aa.htm]<br>
2B215, 2nd Floor, 1 Capitol Mall<br>
2B215, 2nd Floor, 1 Capitol Mall<br>
Little Rock, AR 72201<br>
Little Rock, AR 72201
Website: [https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/black-history-commission-of-arkansas-11963/ BHCA]


==References==
==References==
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{{Arkansas|Arkansas}}
{{Arkansas|Arkansas}}


[[Category:Arkansas, United States]]  
[[Category:Arkansas, United States]] [[Category:African American Records]]
[[Category:African American Records]]
[[Category:Arkansas Cultural Groups]]

Revision as of 13:30, 21 May 2018

Arkansas Wiki Topics
Arkansas flag.png
Beginning Research
Record Types
Arkansas Background
Cultural Groups
Local Research Resources

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Introduction[edit | edit source]

This guide focuses on sources that are specific to the African American experience in Arkansas. Check out the Arkansas and African American guides on FamilySearch.org as well.

Online Resources[edit | edit source]

Research Strategy[edit | edit source]

Follow the strategies described on the African American Genealogy page.

History[edit | edit source]

Resources[edit | edit source]

Biographies[edit | edit source]

Cemeteries[edit | edit source]

Census Records[edit | edit source]

Church Records[edit | edit source]

  • Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church records (1944-1983) are located in the state archives (Arkansas History Commission). This collection contains the church board, treasurer, and Sunday school records of the Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), of Sweet Home, Arkansas, 1944-1983.
  • First Missionary Baptist Church [Little Rock] (1845- ) History
  • Clark, John Franklin. A Brief History of Negro Baptists in Arkansas: A Story of Their Progress and Development, 1867-1939. Pine Bluff, Ark.: [s.n.], 1938. At various libraries (WorldCat).

Emancipation Records[edit | edit source]

Funeral Homes[edit | edit source]

Genealogies[edit | edit source]

Land and Property[edit | edit source]

Visit the Arkansas Land and Property page to learn more about land records and how to access them. Check the deed book indexes for the years before 1865 for enslaved people listed in the "Description" column. Most county courthouse deed books are digitized on FamilySearch.org. Search the FamilySearch Catalog by county.

Plantation[edit | edit source]

Oral Histories[edit | edit source]

Other Records[edit | edit source]

Military Records[edit | edit source]

Newspapers[edit | edit source]

Probate Records[edit | edit source]

Visit the Arkansas Probate Records page to learn more about probate in Arkansas and how to find them. Pre-1865 records could contain the names of enslaved people from the slaveowner's probate records.

Reconstruction Records[edit | edit source]

Freedman’s Bank[edit | edit source]

An excellent source is the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company (visit the African American Freedman's Savings and Trust Company Records page to learn more). This company was created to assist African-American soldiers of the Civil War and freed slaves. Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company signature cards or registers from 3 March 1865 to 25 July 1874 may list the name of the depositor, date of entry, age, birthplace, residence, complexion, name of employer or occupation, wife or husband’s name, death information, children’s names, name of father and mother, brothers’ and sisters’ names, remarks, and signature. Early books sometimes contained the name of the former master or mistress and the name of the plantation. Copies of death certificates were sometimes attached to the entries.

Online collections of Freedman's Bank records:

Freedmen's Bureau[edit | edit source]

The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands was created by the US government in 1865 until 1872 to assist former slaves in the southern United States. The Bureau created a wide variety of records extremely valuable to genealogists. Such documents include censuses, marriage records, and medical records. These records often include full names, former masters and plantations, and current residences.[1] For 1865 and 1866, the section on abandoned and confiscated lands includes the names of the owners of the plantations or homes that were abandoned, confiscated, or leased. It gives the county and location, a description of the house, the number of acres owned, and the number of cabins of former slaves. These films do not appear to contain the names of former slaves.

To find Freedmen's Bureau records:

Other FamilySearch collections not included:

Additional Resources:

School Records[edit | edit source]

Slavery Records[edit | edit source]

  • Slavery in Arkansas: A Resource for Genealogists. Features Arkansas Slave Names, a searchable, downloadable spreadsheet containing the names of enslaved people, the slaveholders, county, and date and abstract of document.
  • Works Project Administration. Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States from Interviews with Former Slaves. Arkansas Narratives, Parts 1–7. Digital version at Internet Archive made available by Project Gutenberg.
  • Taylor, Orville W. Negro Slavery in Arkansas. Fayetteville, Arkansas: University of Arkansas Press, 2000. FHL book 976.77 F2t At various libraries (WorldCat).
  • George Berry Washington, Black Plantation Owner. By Iroquois Research Institute prepared for Historic Preservation Associates. - Fairfax, Va.: The Institute, 1981. - iv, 84 leaves: ill. F415.C9 W373
  • Burton, Arthur T. Black, Buckskin and Blue: African American Scouts and Soldiers on the Western Frontier. Austin, Texas: Eaton Press, 1999. FHL book 978 F2b At various libraries (WorldCat).

Vital Records[edit | edit source]

Birth[edit | edit source]

Marriage[edit | edit source]

Death[edit | edit source]

Divorce[edit | edit source]

Voting Registers[edit | edit source]

Archives and Libraries[edit | edit source]

Visit the Arkansas Archives and Libraries page to learn more about archives and libraries in Arkansas.

Societies[edit | edit source]

Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS)
AAHGS Arkansas Chapter
P.O. Box 4294
Little Rock, AR 72214
Contact

Mosaic Templars of America (MTA)
Mosaic Templars Cultural Center
501 W. Ninth Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
(501) 683-3593

Black History Commission of Arkansas
Arkansas History Commission and State Archives[1]
2B215, 2nd Floor, 1 Capitol Mall
Little Rock, AR 72201

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "African American Records: Freedmen's Bureau," "African American Heritage," National Archives, accessed 11 May 2018.
v • d• e
Links to African American Research-related articles
Topics
Repositories
Allen County Public Library · FamilySearch Library · Library of Congress · National Archives I · National Archives Regional Branches · National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, John Parker Library · Birmingham Civil Rights Institute · Black Archives of Mid-America · Duke Univeristy Rubenstein Library · FamilySearch Centers · Godfrey Memorial Library · Kalamazoo College Black History Mobile Museum · New England Historic Genealogical Society · Newberry Library · John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library at Colonial Williamsburg · Schomburg Center For Research In Black Culture · Smithsonian Anacostia Community Museum · University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Libraries · University of Pennsylvania African Studies Center · University of Pittsburgh Hillman Library
States


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