African American Resources for Texas: Difference between revisions

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=== Cemeteries ===
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<div id="fsButtons"><span class="online_records_button">[[African American Online Genealogy Records]]</span></div>
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==Introduction==
A list of resources for African American research of ancestors who lived in Texas.


*[http://africanamericancemeteries.com/tx/ African American Cemeteries Online]
==Online Resources==


*'''1865-1874''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1417695 Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1874] at FamilySearch
*[[African American Digital Bookshelf]] - a growing list of digital books on FamilySearch and other websites
*[http://www.discoverfreedmen.org/ Discover Freedmen] - this site searches all of the Freedmen's Bureau record collections on FamilySearch altogether (and redirects there)
*[http://www.texasslaveryproject.org/ Texas Slavery Project]
*[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook The Handbook of Texas] Search for information on slaves, slave owners, plantations, local history, churches, historical events, etc.
*[https://scholarsjunction.msstate.edu/lantern/ The Lantern Project (Legal Records Documenting Enslaved Persons)] at Mississippi State University Libraries — index & images ($)
*[https://www.thetexasfreedomcoloniesproject.com/ The Texas Freedom Colony Project] - an educational and social justice initiative to research and locate the colonies of freedmen in Texas following emancipation.


==Research Strategy==
==Historys==


=== Genealogical Societies ===
<li>[https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/discover/campfire-stories/african-americans Bullock Museum: African Americans]</li>
<li>[http://www.austintexas.gov/carvermuseum George Washington Carver Museum and Genealogy Center]</li>
<li>[https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/pkaan Texas State Historical Association: African Americans]</li>


<br>[http://htown.aahgs.org/ Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc.]<br>Willie Lee Gay - H-Town Chapter<br>11100 Braesridge, Suite 2202<br>Houston, Texas 77071<br>aahgshtown@yahoo.com
'''Freedmen Towns'''
After slavery, African Americans went on to establish towns in Texas.  


=== Libraries ===
<li>[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hra71 Africa] (Shelby County)</li>
<li>[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hgb03 Barrett] (Harris County)</li>
<li>[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hrcbw Capote] (Guadalupe County)</li>
<li>Clarksville (Austin)</li>
<li>[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hnc80 Cologne] (Goliad County)</li>
<li>[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hncas Cuney] (Cherokee County)</li>
<li>Deep Ellum (Dallas)</li>
<li>Downsville (McLennan County)</li>
<li>Fifth Ward (Houston)</li>
<li>Fourth Ward (Houston)</li>
<li>[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hvg30 Good Hope] (Lavaca County)</li>
<li>[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ueg01 Grant's Colony] (Walker County)</li>
<li>[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hlh55 Hufsmith] (Harris County)</li>
<li>[http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/library/ahc/faq8.htm Kincheonville] (Austin)</li>
<li>[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hrj21 Jakes Colony] (Guadalupe County)</li>
<li>[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hrj20 Jones Colony] (Lee County)</li>
<li>[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hrl80 Lincolnville] (Coryell County)</li>
<li>[http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/library/ahc/faq8.htm Masontown] (Austin)</li>
<li>[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hrmaq Mission Valley] (Medina County)</li>
<li>[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hrm76 Mount Gillion] (Shelby County)</li>
<li>[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hnn24 Nigton] (Trinity County)</li>
<li>[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hrp77 Peyton] (Blanco County)</li>
<li>[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hrqgk Quakertown] (Denton)</li>
<li>[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hrtfg The Ridge] (Gregg County)</li>
<li>[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hrs75 Shankleville] (Newton County)</li>
<li>[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hrsjg Shiloh] (Gregg County)</li>
<li>[http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/library/ahc/faq8.htm Wheatville] (Austin)</li>


[http://lib.utexas.edu/taro/browse/browse_aal1.html The African American Library at the Gregory School]<br>Houston's first colored public school, located in historic Freedmen's Town, serves as a resource and repository to preserve, promote and celebrate the rich history and culture of African Americans in Houston, the surrounding region and the African Diaspora.
'''Officials and Employees'''


=== Oral Histories ===
Brewer, John Mason. ''Negro Legislators of Texas and Their Descendants'': a history of the Negro in Texas Politics from Reconstruction to Disfanchisement. FS Library'''976.4F2bjm 1970'''
 
University of Texas (San Antonio). Institute of Texas Cultures. ''Residents of Texas, 1782-1836''. 3 Vol. Vol 3 contains contains mostly translated summaries documenting the Black experience in Texas. Included are land grant requests, wills, and testaments, letters of freedom and contracts of the sale of slaves. FS Library'''976.4 D2rte Vol 1-3'''.
 
Tyler, Ronnie C. and Lawrence R. Murphy. ''The Slave Narratives of Texas''. Austin: Encino Press, 1974. FS Library '''976.4 D3sl'''
 
==Resources==
===Biographies===
===Cemeteries===
 
*[https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Montgomery_County_Texas_African_American_Cemeteries '''African American Cemeteries in Montgomery County, Texas''']<br>
 
===Census Records===
===Church Records===
===Emancipation Records===
===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
 
*[https://dallasgenealogy.com/dgs/local-records/mcgowan-funeral-home/ The McGowan Funeral Home Records, 1956-1995]<br>An online index of the McGowan Funeral Home records. The funeral home operated in South Dallas, Texas between 1956 and 1995.  The collection is held in the administrative area of the Genealogy section of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Branch of the Dallas Public Library. The physical records of the collection are not accessible to the general public without prior arrangement.
 
===Genealogies===
*'''[https://thesouthernmigration.wordpress.com/ The Southern Migration of the Keeton and Chafer Family]'''<br>
*'''[https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Conroe_Community_Cemetery Conroe Community Cemetery] has a searchable database [https://www.familysearch.org/search/genealogies/submission/8/MMFP-2P3 Community Trees]'''<br>
*'''[https://www.familysearch.org/eurona/travel/sites/98936/piney-grove-missionary-baptist-church-and-cemetery Piney Grove Cemetery -  Cemeteries, Monuments, and Memorials''']
 
===Land and Property===
===Plantation===
*''[https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Montgomery_County,_Texas_-_Green_Wood_Plantation_Project Green Wood Plantation Project- Montgomery County, Texas ]''<br>
 
=== Law and Legislation ===
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/744709 Paul Finkelman, editorial advisor, ''State slavery statutes : guide to the microfiche collection'' Frederick, Maryland : University Pub. of America, c1989 FS Library 975 F23s]
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/723107 Slavery Statutes - Texas: ca. 1836-1864 (10 fiche) FS Library 6118915]
===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===


*[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ewyatt/_borders/Texas%20Slave%20Narratives/Texas%20Index.html Texas Slave Narratives]
*[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ewyatt/_borders/Texas%20Slave%20Narratives/Texas%20Index.html Texas Slave Narratives]
Line 19: Line 103:
*[http://digital.houstonlibrary.org/cdm/search/searchterm/africanamerican Houston Area Digital Public Library]
*[http://digital.houstonlibrary.org/cdm/search/searchterm/africanamerican Houston Area Digital Public Library]


===Other Records===
*[https://www.historytaskforce.org/ History Taskforce]
===Military Records===
===Newspapers===
*[https://informationwanted.org/ Last Seen: Finding Family After Slavery]
===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===
====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 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. The collection is organized alphabetically by state, then city where the bank was located, then date the account was established, then account number.<br>
Online collections of Freedman's Bank records:
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1417695 United States, Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1874]
*[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8755 U.S., Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1871 ($)]
====Freedmen's Bureau====
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:


*[http://www.discoverfreedmen.org/ DiscoverFreedmen] - the search on this site will utilize all of the Freedmen's Bureau records on FamilySearch, including:
**'''1865-1872''' {{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]]
**'''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]]
**'''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]]
**'''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]]
**'''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]]
**'''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]]
**'''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]]
**'''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]]
**'''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]]
**'''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]]


=== Schools ===
*Other FamilySearch collections not included:
**'''1865-1872''' {{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]]
**'''1865-1872''' {{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]]
**'''1865-1872''' {{RecordSearch|2427901|''United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner, 1865-1872''}} at FamilySearch - [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; Images only. These reports primarily contain statistical and historical information.


[http://www.thegregoryschool.org/index.html The Gregory School]
*More collections are available in the FamilySearch Catalog. Search for "FREEDMEN - TEXAS" in the Subjects search bar to find.


=== Voter's Registrations of 1867<br>  ===
Visit the [[African American Freedmen's Bureau Records]] page to learn more about utilizing these records.<br>
 
===School Records===
[http://www.thegregoryschool.org/index.html The Gregory School] Historical collections at The Gregory School include:
 
• Access to Houston Public Library databases and indexes<br>• Books<br>• Pamphlets<br>• Periodicals<br>• Photographs<br>• Oral history recordings<br>• Manuscripts<br>• Newspapers and clippings<br>• Personal family archives and <br>• Ephemera documenting Houston’s African American History and culture.
 
===Slavery Records===
[http://www.jstor.org/stable/2140047?&Search=yes&searchText=louisiana&searchText=slavery&list=hide&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dslavery%2Blouisiana%26gw%3Djtx%26acc%3Don%26prq%3Dvoter%2527s%2Blouisiana%26Search%3DSearch%26hp%3D25%26wc%3Don&prevSearch=&item=10&ttl=1325&returnArticleService=showFullText Slavery in Early Texas. I]<br>Lester G. Bugbee<br>Political Science Quarterly<br>Vol. 13, No. 3 (Sep., 1898) (pp. 389-412)<br>Page Count: 24
 
[http://digital.sfasu.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/RSP Texas Runaway Slave Project]. East Texas Research Center
 
===Vital Records===
====Birth====
====Marriage====
====Death====
====Divorce====
===Voting Records===
'''Voter's Registrations of 1867'''


The 1867 Voter Registration includes names of voters who registered in the period between 1867 and 1869. In cases where African Americans registered, their race is specified as "colored." Voter's registrations are among the few records which document African American males prior to 1870. The following information is included:  
The 1867 Voter Registration includes names of voters who registered in the period between 1867 and 1869. In cases where African Americans registered, their race is specified as "colored." Voter's registrations are among the few records which document African American males prior to 1870. The following information is included:  


*Name
*Name
*Place of residence  
*Place of residence
*Precinct  
*Precinct
*Length of residence (in state, in county, in precinct)  
*Length of residence (in state, in county, in precinct)
*Native country or state  
*Native country or state
*If naturalized, how, when, and where  
*If naturalized, how, when, and where
*General Remarks--race is noted when the registrant was "colored"
*General Remarks--race is noted when the registrant was "colored"


The records are catgorized by county. When searching, pay close attention to other individuals with the same surname. They may be related. In some cases, whites with the same name may be members of the former slave holding family. <br>Voters' Registrations of 1867 are available on microfilm at the Texas State Archives.<br><br>  
The records are categorized by county. When searching, pay close attention to other individuals with the same surname. They may be related. In some cases, whites with the same name may be members of the former slave holding family. <br>Voters' Registrations of 1867 are available on microfilm at the Texas State Archives.
 
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/3163398 Texas, Special Voter Registration, 1867-1869.] Searchable Collection published on FamilySearch
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/676251 Texas 1867 Special Voter's Registration: includes information for 1867 - 1869. 7 rolls] FamilySearch Catalog
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/958871 Donaly E. Brice & John C. Barron.''An index to the 1867 Voters Registration of Texas.'' Bowie, Maryland: Heritage Books, 2000. FamilySearch Library. CD-Rom]
 
==Archives and Libraries==
[http://lib.utexas.edu/taro/browse/browse_aal1.html '''The African American Library at the Gregory School''']<br>Houston's first colored public school, located in historic Freedmen's Town, serves as a resource and repository to preserve, promote and celebrate the rich history and culture of African Americans in Houston, the surrounding region and the African Diaspora. <br><br>
 
[http://www.aamdallas.org/ '''African American Museum, Dallas''']<br>
3536 Grand Avenue<br>
Dallas, TX<br>
Email: info@aamdallas.org<br>
Phone: (214) 565-9026
 
[http://library.austintexas.gov/ahc/african-american-community-archivist '''African American Community Archives Program''']
 
Austin History Center, Austin Public Library
 
810 Guadalupe
 
Austin, Texas, 78701
 
==Societies==
[http://htown.aahgs.org/ '''Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc.''']<br>Willie Lee Gay - H-Town Chapter<br>11100 Braesridge, Suite 2202<br>Houston, Texas 77071<br>aahgshtown@yahoo.com <br><br>
 
[http://hmaac.org/ '''Houston Museum of African American Culture''']<br>
4807 Caroline<br>
Houston, Texas 77004<br><br>
 
[https://dallasgenealogy.org/meetings-events/special-interest-groups/african-american-general-interest-group/ '''African American Genealogical Interest Group''']<br>
A Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Dallas Genealogical Society<br>
<br>
Dallas Genealogical Society<br>
391 Las Colinas Blvd E, Ste 130<br>
Attn Box 2112<br>
Irving, TX 75039-6291<br>
[mailto:AAGIG@dallasgenealogy.org AAGIG@dallasgenealogy.org]<br><br>
 
==References==
<references />
 
{{African American}}
{{Texas|Texas}}


[[Category:African_Americans]] [[Category:Texas]]
[[Category:Texas, United States]]  
[[Category:African American Records]]

Latest revision as of 11:59, 30 January 2025

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

Introduction

A list of resources for African American research of ancestors who lived in Texas.

Online Resources

Research Strategy

Historys

  • Bullock Museum: African Americans
  • George Washington Carver Museum and Genealogy Center
  • Texas State Historical Association: African Americans
  • Freedmen Towns After slavery, African Americans went on to establish towns in Texas.

  • Africa (Shelby County)
  • Barrett (Harris County)
  • Capote (Guadalupe County)
  • Clarksville (Austin)
  • Cologne (Goliad County)
  • Cuney (Cherokee County)
  • Deep Ellum (Dallas)
  • Downsville (McLennan County)
  • Fifth Ward (Houston)
  • Fourth Ward (Houston)
  • Good Hope (Lavaca County)
  • Grant's Colony (Walker County)
  • Hufsmith (Harris County)
  • Kincheonville (Austin)
  • Jakes Colony (Guadalupe County)
  • Jones Colony (Lee County)
  • Lincolnville (Coryell County)
  • Masontown (Austin)
  • Mission Valley (Medina County)
  • Mount Gillion (Shelby County)
  • Nigton (Trinity County)
  • Peyton (Blanco County)
  • Quakertown (Denton)
  • The Ridge (Gregg County)
  • Shankleville (Newton County)
  • Shiloh (Gregg County)
  • Wheatville (Austin)
  • Officials and Employees Brewer, John Mason. Negro Legislators of Texas and Their Descendants: a history of the Negro in Texas Politics from Reconstruction to Disfanchisement. FS Library976.4F2bjm 1970 University of Texas (San Antonio). Institute of Texas Cultures. Residents of Texas, 1782-1836. 3 Vol. Vol 3 contains contains mostly translated summaries documenting the Black experience in Texas. Included are land grant requests, wills, and testaments, letters of freedom and contracts of the sale of slaves. FS Library976.4 D2rte Vol 1-3. Tyler, Ronnie C. and Lawrence R. Murphy. The Slave Narratives of Texas. Austin: Encino Press, 1974. FS Library 976.4 D3sl

    Resources

    Biographies

    Cemeteries

    Census Records

    Church Records

    Emancipation Records

    Funeral Homes

    • The McGowan Funeral Home Records, 1956-1995
      An online index of the McGowan Funeral Home records. The funeral home operated in South Dallas, Texas between 1956 and 1995. The collection is held in the administrative area of the Genealogy section of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Branch of the Dallas Public Library. The physical records of the collection are not accessible to the general public without prior arrangement.

    Genealogies

    Land and Property

    Plantation

    Law and Legislation

    Obituaries

    Oral Histories

    Other Records

    Military Records

    Newspapers

    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

    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 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. The collection is organized alphabetically by state, then city where the bank was located, then date the account was established, then account number.

    Online collections of Freedman's Bank records:

    Freedmen's Bureau

    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:

    • More collections are available in the FamilySearch Catalog. Search for "FREEDMEN - TEXAS" in the Subjects search bar to find.

    Visit the African American Freedmen's Bureau Records page to learn more about utilizing these records.

    School Records

    The Gregory School Historical collections at The Gregory School include:

    • Access to Houston Public Library databases and indexes
    • Books
    • Pamphlets
    • Periodicals
    • Photographs
    • Oral history recordings
    • Manuscripts
    • Newspapers and clippings
    • Personal family archives and
    • Ephemera documenting Houston’s African American History and culture.

    Slavery Records

    Slavery in Early Texas. I
    Lester G. Bugbee
    Political Science Quarterly
    Vol. 13, No. 3 (Sep., 1898) (pp. 389-412)
    Page Count: 24

    Texas Runaway Slave Project. East Texas Research Center

    Vital Records

    Birth

    Marriage

    Death

    Divorce

    Voting Records

    Voter's Registrations of 1867

    The 1867 Voter Registration includes names of voters who registered in the period between 1867 and 1869. In cases where African Americans registered, their race is specified as "colored." Voter's registrations are among the few records which document African American males prior to 1870. The following information is included:

    • Name
    • Place of residence
    • Precinct
    • Length of residence (in state, in county, in precinct)
    • Native country or state
    • If naturalized, how, when, and where
    • General Remarks--race is noted when the registrant was "colored"

    The records are categorized by county. When searching, pay close attention to other individuals with the same surname. They may be related. In some cases, whites with the same name may be members of the former slave holding family.
    Voters' Registrations of 1867 are available on microfilm at the Texas State Archives.

    Archives and Libraries

    The African American Library at the Gregory School
    Houston's first colored public school, located in historic Freedmen's Town, serves as a resource and repository to preserve, promote and celebrate the rich history and culture of African Americans in Houston, the surrounding region and the African Diaspora.

    African American Museum, Dallas
    3536 Grand Avenue
    Dallas, TX
    Email: info@aamdallas.org
    Phone: (214) 565-9026

    African American Community Archives Program

    Austin History Center, Austin Public Library

    810 Guadalupe

    Austin, Texas, 78701

    Societies

    Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc.
    Willie Lee Gay - H-Town Chapter
    11100 Braesridge, Suite 2202
    Houston, Texas 77071
    aahgshtown@yahoo.com

    Houston Museum of African American Culture
    4807 Caroline
    Houston, Texas 77004

    African American Genealogical Interest Group
    A Special Interest Group (SIG) of the Dallas Genealogical Society

    Dallas Genealogical Society
    391 Las Colinas Blvd E, Ste 130
    Attn Box 2112
    Irving, TX 75039-6291
    AAGIG@dallasgenealogy.org

    References

    1. "African American Records: Freedmen's Bureau," "African American Heritage," National Archives, accessed 11 May 2018.