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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| FS_URL_01 = [[GuidedResearch:United States|United States Guided Research]]
| FS_URL_01 = [[GuidedResearch:United States|United States Guided Research]]
| FS_URL_02 = [[United States Record Finder]]
| FS_URL_02 = [[United States Record Finder]]
| FS_URL_03 = [[United States Research Tips and Strategies]]
| FS_URL_03 = [[United States Research Tips and Strategies|Research Tips and Strategies]]
| FS_URL_04 = [[African American Genealogy]]
| FS_URL_04 = [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2431126?collectionNameFilter=false Records of the Commissioner]
| FS_URL_05 = [[African American Freedmen's Bureau Records]] 
| FS_URL_05 = [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/2427901?collectionNameFilter=false Records of the Assistant Commissioner]  
| FS_URL_06 = [[Quick Guide to African American Records]]  
| FS_URL_06 = [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1417695?collectionNameFilter=true Freedmen’s Bank]  
| FS_URL_07 = [[Getting Started With African American Research]]   
| FS_URL_07 = [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1438024?collectionNameFilter=false 1870 Census]   
| FS_URL_08 =   
| FS_URL_08 = [[African American Freedmen's Bureau Records]]  
| FS_URL_09 = [[African American Introduction]]   
| FS_URL_09 = [[Quick Guide to African American Records]]   
| FS_URL_10 = [[African American Migration]]  
| FS_URL_10 = [[African American Research]]  
| FS_URL_11 = [[African American Archives and Libraries]]
| FS_URL_11 = [[United States]]  
| FS_URL_12 =  
| 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_01 =[http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/1997/summer/freedmens-bureau-records.html NARA Freedmen's Bureau Records: An Overview]  
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| RW_URL_04 =[http://www.history.umd.edu/Freedmen/fssppubs.htm Publications of the Freedmen and Southern Society Project]   
| RW_URL_04 =[http://www.history.umd.edu/Freedmen/fssppubs.htm Publications of the Freedmen and Southern Society Project]   
| RW_URL_05 =[http://freedmensbureau.com/ The Freedmen's Bureau Online]. Records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands.  
| RW_URL_05 =[http://freedmensbureau.com/ The Freedmen's Bureau Online]. Records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands.  
| RW_URL_06 =[https://informationwanted.org/ Last Seen: Finding Families After Slavery]
| RW_URL_06 =[http://www.drbronsontours.com/bronsoninspectorsreportofschoolsforthefreedombureauno22assorteddocsjanuary11866.html Assorted Documents Freedmen Bureau Schools]
| RW_URL_07 =[http://amistadresearchcenter.tulane.edu/archon/?p=collections/findingaid&id=19&q= American Missionary Association Archives Tulane University]
| RW_URL_07 =[http://amistadresearchcenter.tulane.edu/archon/?p=collections/findingaid&id=19&q= American Missionary Association Archives Tulane University]
|RW_URL_08  =[http://www.masshist.org/collection-guides/view/fa0423 New England Freedmen's Aid Society Records Massachusetts Historical Society]
|RW_URL_08  =[http://www.masshist.org/collection-guides/view/fa0423 New England Freedmen's Aid Society Records Massachusetts Historical Society]
|RW_URL_09 = [https://lastroadtofreedom.org/ Last Road to Freedom]
|RW_URL_09 = [http://www.drbronsontours.com/bronsonfreedmenaidsocieties.html Freedmen Aid Societies Teacher Recruiters & Supporters for the Freedmen with Division of Canvassing Area  & Location of Schools]
|RW_URL_10 = [http://dlib.nyu.edu/findingaids/html/nyhs/southernfamrelief/ Guide to the Southern Famine Relief Commission Records 1867-1868 New York Historical Society Museum & Library]
|RW_URL_10 = [http://dlib.nyu.edu/findingaids/html/nyhs/southernfamrelief/ Guide to the Southern Famine Relief Commission Records 1867-1868 New York Historical Society Museum & Library]
}}
}}


== What is in This Collection?  ==
== What is in This Collection?  ==
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 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 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 following link will provide a description of the record types found in this and other Freedmen's Bureau collections. [[Freedmen's Bureau Record Types]]   


This collection corresponds with the following NARA microfilm publications:
This collection corresponds with the following NARA microfilm publications:
*'''Records of the Superintendent of Education for the state of:'''
*Alabama, M810: Rolls 1, 4-8
*Alabama, M810: Rolls 1, 4-8
*Arkansas, M980: Roll 5 [http://www.archives.gov/research/microfilm/m980.pdf National Archives Pamphlet M980]
*Arkansas, M980: Roll 5 [http://www.archives.gov/research/microfilm/m980.pdf National Archives Pamphlet M980]
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*Records of the Education Division, M803: 15-35 [http://www.archives.gov/research/microfilm/m803.pdf National Archives Pamphlet M803]
*Records of the Education Division, M803: 15-35 [http://www.archives.gov/research/microfilm/m803.pdf National Archives Pamphlet M803]


*'''Related National Archives Collection'''
===To Browse This Collection===
*[https://catalog.archives.gov/id/2548470 Contracts for the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, March 1867–August 1870 (Department of the Treasury. Office of the Second Comptroller) RG 217, NAID 2548470]
 
''' Related Publications'''
*[https://archive.org/details/manualonschoolho00chas/page/n5/mode/2up C. Thurston Chase, ''Schoolhouses. Manual on School- Houses and Cottages for People of the South.'' Washington: Government Printing Office, 1868] Internet Archive
*Jonathan W. White and Lydia J. Davis, eds. ''My Work Among the Freedmen: The Civil War and Reconstruction Letters of Harriet Buss.'' University of Virginia Press, 2021.
 
*'''Semi-annual reports on schools for freedmen'''
*Schools and Finances of Freedmen
*January 1st, 1866, First
*July 2nd, 1866, Second
*'''Schools for Freedmen'''
*January 1st, 3rd, 1867
*July 1st, 4th, 1867
*[https://archive.org/details/fifthsemiannualr00alvo John Watson Alvord. 1807-1880; United States. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands Fifth semi-annual report on schools for freedmen: January 1, 1868. Washington: Government Printing Office,1868].
*July 1st, 6th, 1868
*January 1st, 7th, 1869
*July 1st, 8th, 1869
*[https://archive.org/details/ninthsemiannualr00alvo  John Watson Alvord 1807-1880. United States. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands Ninth semi-annual report on schools for freedmen: January 1, 1870.Washington: Government Printing Office, 1870.]
*July 1st, 9th, 1870
 
=== 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. <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 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.
 
=== National Museum of African American History & Culture ===
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}}
=== Index and Image Visibility ===
{{Image Visibility}}


=== To Browse This Collection ===
{{Collection_Browse_Link
{{Collection_Browse_Link
|CID=CID2427894
|CID=CID2427894
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== What Can These Records Tell Me?==
== What Can These Records Tell Me?==
The Bureau was created in 1865 at the end of the American Civil War to supervise relief efforts including:
 
{{columns-list|2|
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.
*Education
 
*Health care
*Food and clothing
*Refugee camps
*Legalization of marriages
*Employment
*Labor contracts
*Securing back pay
*Bounty payments
*Pensions
}}
These records include:
{{columns-list|3|
*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
*Homesteads
}}
The information varies by document. You may find any of the following:  
The information varies by document. You may find any of the following:  
*Name of the freedman  
*Name of the freedman  
*Name of the freedman’s former owner  
*Name of the freedman’s former owner  
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*Age  
*Age  
*Document dates
*Document dates
== Collection Content  ==
== Collection Content  ==
=== Sample Images ===
===Sample Images===
<gallery perrow="3" heights="120px" widths="160px">
<gallery perrow="3" heights="120px" widths="160px" caption="United States, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education">
Image:United States, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education (14-1367) Appointment Request DGS 7675837_76.jpg|1867 Appointment Request
Image:United States, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education (14-1367) Appointment Request DGS 7675837_76.jpg|Appointment Request
Image:United States, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education (14-1367) Letter of Appointment DGS 7675822_87.jpg|1867 Letter of Appointment
Image:United States, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education (14-1367) Letter of Appointment DGS 7675822_87.jpg|Letter of Appointment
Image:United States, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education (14-1367) Teacher's Monthly Report DGS 7675829_49.jpg|1866 Teacher's Monthly Report
Image:United States, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education (14-1367) Teacher's Monthly Report DGS 7675829_49.jpg|Teacher's Monthly Report
</gallery>
</gallery>  
 
=== Inventory ===
For a list of all the titles included in this Historical Records publication see [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education - Inventory]]
 
 
''' Record Types '''
 
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]]
 
''' Officer's Manual'''
 
The War Department published an Officer's Manual  to assist bureau personnel in the records that were required to be keep in bureau offices.
*[[United States, National Archives, Freedmen's Bureau, Officer's Manual]]
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 - IV, Medical Department]]
*[[US, NARA, Freedmen's Bureau, Officer's Manual - V, Subsistence]]
*[[US, NARA, Freedmen's Bureau, Officer's Manual - VI, Miscellaneous Provisions]] - Includes Reports from Assistant Commissioners


== 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. 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 ===
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| CID=CID2427894
| CID=CID2427894
}}
}}
=== View the Images ===
=== View the Images ===  
{{View_Images_Link | CID = 2427894
View images in this collection by visiting the '''{{RecordSearch|2427894|Browse Page|access=browse}}''':
| browse_1 = Education Division or State
# Select '''Education Division or State'''
| browse_2 = NARA Roll Number Film Notes
# Select '''NARA Roll Number Film Notes''' to view the images.<br><br>
| browse_3 = 
 
| browse_4 = 
{{Tip|More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog at [https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/2427894 United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education, 1865-1872]. Some catalog records link to multiple references. In this case, click on a reference to find a camera icon to see images.}}
| browse_5 = 
 
| browse_6 =  }}
{{HR Tip|More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog at {{FSC|2427894|item|disp=United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education, 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?==


== What Do I Do Next? ==
===I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?===
=== I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now? ===
*Add any new information to your records
*Use the place of residence, age, and other information for each person to search for the individuals in census records
*Use the place of residence, age, and other information for each person to search for the individuals in census records
*Use the information found to search for:
*Use the information found to search for church records
**Church records
*Use the information found to search for land and probate records
**Land and probate records
*Use the information found to search additional state and county records
**Additional state and county records
 
=== I Can't Find the Person I'm Looking For, What Now? ===
=== 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
*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 variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names
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*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
*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
*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 ===
=== Research Helps ===
The following articles will help you research your family in [[United States Genealogy|the United States]].
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in [[United States Genealogy|the United States]].
* [[GuidedResearch:United States|United States Guided Research]]
* [[GuidedResearch:United States|United States Guided Research]]
* [[United States Record Finder]]
* [[United States Record Finder]]
* [[United States Research Tips and Strategies]]
* [[United States Research Tips and Strategies|Research Tips and Strategies]]
== Other FamilySearch Collections ==
These collections may have additional materials to help you with your research.
=== FamilySearch Catalog ===
*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
*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
*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. {{FSC|4440734|item|disp=FS Library 973.714 F875b}}
*edited by Richard Zuczek, ''Encyclopedia of the Reconstruction Era.'' 2 volumes. Westport, Connecticut : Greenwood Press, ©2006 {{FSC|3416545|item|disp=FS Library 973 N26z }}
*''Samuel L. Horst, ed ''The fire of liberty in their hearts: the diary of Jacob E. Yoder of the Freedmen's Bureau School, Lynchburg, Virginia, 1866-1870''{{FSC|722586|item|disp=FS Library 921.73 Y73h}}
*Rupert Sargent Holland, edited, ''Letters and diary of Laura M. Towne; written from the Sea Islands of South Carolina, 1862-1884'' Cambridge at the Riverside Press, 1912 Reprint. " New York, New York : Negro Universities Press, 1969 {{FSC|83202|item|disp=FS Library 921.73 T661t}}
*Margo Lee Williams, ''From Hill Town to Strieby : education and the American Missionary Association in the Uwharrie "Back Country" of Randolph County, North Carolina'' Crofton, Kentucky : Backintyme Publishing, 2016 {{FSC|3461406|item|disp=FS Library 975.661 D2w}}
*{{FSC|479251|item|disp=Correspondence & school reports, 1865-1871 Superintendent of Education for the state of Arkansas}}
*{{FSC|1921168|item|disp=Virginia Historical Society. Virginia, Richmond, Chimborazo School records, 1868-1869}}


=== FamilySearch Historical Records ===
== Related Book ==
*{{RecordSearch|2431126|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Commissioner, 1865-1872}}
*[https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/722586?availability=Family%20History%20Library The fire of liberty in their hearts : the diary of Jacob E. Yoder of the Freedmen's Bureau School, Lynchburg, Virginia, 1866-1870]
*{{RecordSearch|2427901|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner, 1865-1872}}
*{{RecordSearch|1417695|United States, Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1874}}
*{{RecordSearch|1438024|United States Census, 1870}}
*[[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]]
*[[Louisiana, Freedmen's Bureau Records - FamilySearch Historical Records]]
*[[North 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]]
=== 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.''Washington, D.C. : National Archives and Records Service, 1973.}}
*{{FSC|2021516|item|disp=''Officers' manual : Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands.'' (Washington, 1866)}}
*{{FSC|2562476|item|disp=Clifton H. Johnson, ''American Missionary Association archives as a source for the study of American history'' New York : American Missionary Association and the Division of Higher Education of the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries,1964?}}
*[https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/572795 ''Minutes of the Freedmen's Convention Held in the City of Raleigh, on the 2nd, 3rd,4th and 5th, of October, 1866'' Raleigh: Standard Book and Job Office, 1866]
*{{FSC|2562476|item|disp=Clifton H. Johnson, ''American Missionary Association archives as a source for the study of American history'' New York : American Missionary Association and the Division of Higher Education of the United Church Board for Homeland Ministries,1964?}}


== Citing This Collection ==
== 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. <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 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.
 
== Related FamilySearch Historical Records Collection Articles  ==
 
*[[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)]]
*[[Louisiana, Freedmen's Bureau Records (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[North 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)]]
 
==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_Published}}
{{Record_Citation}}
{{Record_Citation}}
{{Image_Citation}}
{{Image_Citation}}
== How Can I Contribute to the FamilySearch Wiki? ==
{{Contributor_invite}}
[[Category:NARA_Freedmen's_Bureau Records]]
[[Category:NARA_Freedmen's_Bureau Records]]
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{{H-langs|en=United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education (FamilySearch Historical Records)|pt=Estados Unidos, Agência de Libertos, Registros do Superintendente da Educação e da Divisão de Educação (Registros Históricos do FamilySearch)}}

Revision as of 12:44, 9 May 2019

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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
Flag of the United States of America
Flag of the United States of America
US Flag 1863-1865 (35 stars)
US Flag 1863-1865 (35 stars)
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 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 This 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 following link will provide a description of the record types found in this and other Freedmen's Bureau collections. Freedmen's Bureau Record Types

This collection corresponds with the following NARA microfilm publications:

To Browse This Collection[edit | edit source]

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

View the Images[edit | edit source]

View images in this collection by visiting the Browse Page:

  1. Select Education Division or State
  2. Select NARA Roll Number Film Notes to view the images.

Tip: More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog at United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education, 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?[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]

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?[edit | edit source]

  • Use the place of residence, age, and other information for each person to search for the individuals in census records
  • Use the information found to search for church records
  • Use the information found to search for land and probate records
  • Use the information found to search additional state and county records

I Can't Find the Person 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

Research Helps[edit | edit source]

The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the United States.

Related Book[edit | edit source]

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]

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

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

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