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''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Indiana]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[African-American_Resources_for_Indiana]]''
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<div id="fsButtons"><span class="online_records_button">[[African American Online Genealogy Records]]</span></div>
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{{Adoption Indiana Genealogical Society}}
==Introduction==
To learn how to get started with African American research, find research facilities, and websites [[African American Research|click here]].
 
==Online Resources==
<li>'''1846-1867''' [https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1231 U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Marriage Records, 1846-1867 ($)]</li>
<li>'''1853-1860''' [http://www.ingenweb.org/injefferson/jeffnegroregistries.html Register of Negroes and Mulattoes (1853-1860)] in Jefferson County, Indiana</li>
<li>'''1861-1872''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1414908 United States, Freedmen's Bureau Marriages, 1861-1872] at FamilySearch</li>
<li>'''1865-1874''' [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1417695 Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1874] at FamilySearch</li>
<li>'''pre-1882''' [http://www.indgensoc.org/membersonly/statewide/deaths/indiana_deaths_pre_1882_search.php Deaths in Indiana (Pre-1882)]</li>
<li>[[African American Digital Bookshelf]] - a growing list of digital books on FamilySearch and other websites</li>
<li>[http://www.genealogycenter.info/africanamerican/results_afram.php?subject=IN African American Gateway: Indiana] - includes links to online resources</li>
<li>[http://www.discoverfreedmen.org/ Discover Freedmen] - this site searches all of the Freedmen's Bureau record collections on FamilySearch altogether (and redirects there)</li>
<li>[https://accessgenealogy.com/indiana/indiana-african-american-genealogy.htm Indiana African American Genealogy. Access Genealogy]</li>
<li>[http://www.indgensoc.org/membersonly/statewide/african_americans/african_settlements_search.php Individuals Associated with Indiana's African-American Settlements (1817-1930)]</li>
<li>[http://www.indgensoc.org/membersonly/military/index.php INDGenSoc Military Records]</li>
<li>[http://www.indgensoc.org/membersonly/statewide/index.php INDGenSoc Statewide Records]</li>
<li>[http://www.indgensoc.org/membersonly/county/index.php INDGenSoc County Records] (including indexes to cemeteries)</li>
<li>[https://indianahistory.org/research/research-materials/early-black-settlements/early-black-settlements-by-county/ Early Black Settlements by County]</li>
<li>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_slavery_in_Indiana History of Slavery in Indiana]</li>
<li>[http://slavenorth.com/northwest.htm Slavery in the North: Indiana, Illinois]</li>
 
==Research Strategy==


To learn how to get started with African American research, find research facilities, and websites [[African American Research|click here]].  
==Historys==
There were many African-Americans in Indiana dating from the early 1800s. In 1850, the federal government passed laws that endangered the liberties of free blacks in the South. At that time, many migrated north, some with Canada in mind as a destination. Some of these stopped in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois and formed communities, often near Quakers. By about 1852, there were approximately 3,000 free African-Americans in Indiana. Free blacks often followed the migration patterns of their white neighbors. Large numbers of blacks in Indiana in the mid-19th century came to the state from North Carolina or Virginia. Some of the black Indiana farmers of the mid-1800s were large landowners.
 
In 1825 the Indiana General Assembly passed a resolution directed toward African Americans to provide for the gradual emancipation of slaves and foreign colonization. In 1830 the Negro Convention Movement peaked nationally with increased interest in 1850's. The movement encouraged the African Americans to organize and devise ways to improve their condition. The Anti-Slavery Society was formed in Wayne County, Indiana by Quakers in 1840 as an auxiliary to the Indiana State Anti-Slavery Society. Records of the Economy Anti-Slavery Society reflect the organization's effort to stop the practice of slavery and the racial exclusion laws. In 1851 Indiana revised its Constitution preventing "new" black residents from entering or settling in the state. An 1852 act established a "Register of Negroes and Mulattoes" to be maintained by county clerks. Beginning in 1877, the state census enumerations listed the name and age of white male residents 21 or over and a separate list of names of African American males 21 or over. These names are listed under the heading "Negro".
 
See [https://indianahistory.org/research/research-materials/early-black-settlements/ Early Black Settlements] and [https://www.in.gov/history/2548.htm Being Black in Indiana] to learn more about African Americans in early Indiana history. [https://indianapublicmedia.org/momentofindianahistory/tag/indianas-african-american-history/ Moment of Indiana History: Indiana's African-American History] also discusses African Americans in Indiana history.
 
Also see: [http://collections.howardcountymemory.net/cdm/landingpage/collection/africanlife African-American Life in Howard County].  


== <br> Indiana Genealogical Society Resources<br>  ==
The following books and periodicals contain histories, bibliographies, and essays about African Americans in Indiana:


The following online databases are available through the [http://www.indgensoc.org Indiana Genealogical Society].  
*Gibbs, Wilma L., ed. ''Indiana’s African-American Heritage: Essays from Black History News &amp; Notes''. Indianapolis, Indiana: Indiana Historical Society, 1994. {{FSC|691197|item|disp=FS Catalog book 977.2 F2i}} This contains many insightful articles on education, culture, women, and history and includes some biographical sketches of noteworthy African Americans.
*Thornbrough, Emma Lou. ''The Negro in Indiana Before 1900: A Study of a Minority''. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press, 1993. {{FSC|691194|item|disp=FS Catalog book 977.2 F2t}}. This book details the population changes and social history of African Americans in Indiana.
*Robbins, Coy D., comp. ''Indiana Negro Registers, 1852–1865''. Bowie, Maryland.: Heritage Books, 1994. {{FSC|685283|item|disp=FS Catalog book 977.2 F2r}}. The lists are alphabetical by county and give name, age, physical description, place of birth, residence, names of witnesses, and date registered. This book includes records of 2,138 free African-Americans in 15 counties: Bartholomew, Floyd, Franklin, Gibson, Harrison, Hendricks, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Knox, Martin, Ohio, Orange, Switzerland, and Washington.
*Taylor, Robert M. Jr. and Connie A. McBirney, eds. ''Peopling Indiana: The Ethnic Experience.'' Indianapolis, Indiana: Indiana Historical Society, 1996. {{FSC|761824|item|disp=FS Catalog book 977.2 F2p}}. This 703-page book gives the background history of 30 ethnic groups.  
*Hine, Darlene Clark, ''The black women in the Middle West Project''. Indianapolis, Indiana: Indiana Historical Society, 1986. {{FSC|538977|item|disp=FS Catalog book 977 F2h}}


Free Databases:  
For a listing of books about minorities, such as the African Americans, see the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under:  


Records of Jacob Brothers Funeral Home, Indianapolis (1939-1956)
INDIANA-MINORITIES
INDIANA, [COUNTY]- SLAVERY AND BONDAGE


Individuals Associated with Indiana's African-American Settlements (1817-1930)
==Resources==
===Biographies===
===Cemeteries===
[http://www.ingenweb.org/ INGenWeb] has pages for all of the counties in Indiana. Some of these counties have transcribed their cemetery records and/or uploaded photographs of the tombstones. These are available online.


Register of Negros in Posey County, Indiana (1853-1855)
The [http://www.indgensoc.org/index.php Indiana Genealogical Society] has indexed many cemeteries in Indiana. Some of these indexes are available on their website for free. To find these indexes, visit [http://www.indgensoc.org/membersonly/county/index.php INDGenSoc County Records].


<br>


Members-Only Databases:
===Census Records===
Beginning in 1877, the state census enumerations listed the name and age of white male residents 21 or over and a separate list of names of African American males 21 or over. These names are listed under the heading "Negro". A few fragments of the 1877 census are at the Indiana State Archives. These are not on microfilm at the FamilySearch Library. County offices might have the original records.


Indiana's African-American Soldiers in the Civil War (1861-1865)  
''Index to the Blacks, Mulattoes, and Indians, 1870 Federal Population Census of Indiana''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1987. {{FSC|542715|item|disp=FS Library film 1509480 ( first of 5)}}. The names are listed alphabetically.


African-American Veterans in Carroll County, Indiana (1890)  
''Index to the Blacks, Mulattoes, and Indians, 1880 Federal Census of Indiana''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1987. {{FSC|542743|item|disp=FS Library film 1509284 item 2 (first of 8)}}. The names are listed alphabetically.


African-American Veterans in Clark County, Indiana (1890)
===Church Records===
The [http://www.indgensoc.org/index.php Indiana Genealogical Society] has made a few church histories available online for free. To find these histories, visit [http://www.indgensoc.org/membersonly/county/index.php INDGenSoc County Records].


African-American Veterans in Daviess County, Indiana (1890)  
===Emancipation Records===
===Funeral Homes===
The [http://www.indgensoc.org/index.php Indiana Genealogical Society] has made a few funeral home records available online for free:
*[http://www.indgensoc.org/membersonly/county/marion/jacob_funeral_home_search.php Records of Jacob Brothers Funeral Home, Indianapolis (1939-1956)]
*[http://www.indgensoc.org/membersonly/county/owen/west_funeral_home_1925_1928_results.php Index to Records of West, Parrish & Pedigo Funeral Home, Spencer, Owen County, Indiana (1925-1928)]
*[http://www.indgensoc.org/membersonly/county/allen/scheumann_funeral_home_records_search.php Records of Scheumann Funeral Home, Fort Wayne, Allen County, Indiana (1899-1951)]
*[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


African-American Veterans in Floyd County, Indiana (1890)
===Genealogies===
===Land and Property===
====Plantation====
===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


African-American Veterans in Gibson County, Indiana (1890)
===Oral Histories===
===Other Records===
===Military Records===
The [http://www.indgensoc.org/index.php Indiana Genealogical Society] has made many Indiana military records available online for free. To find these records, visit [http://www.indgensoc.org/membersonly/military/index.php INDGenSoc Military Records].
===Newspapers===
===Probate Records===
===Reconstruction Records===


African-American Veterans in Grant County, Indiana (1890)
====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>


African-American Veterans in Greene County, Indiana (1890)  
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 ($)]


African-American Veterans in Hamilton County, Indiana (1890)
====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. 


African-American Veterans in Harrison County, Indiana (1890)
To find Freedmen's Bureau records:


African-American Veterans in Henry County, Indiana (1890)
*[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}} - [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau Claim Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
**{{RecordSearch|2432992|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Hospital and Medical Records, 1865-1872}} - [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau Hospital and Medical Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
**{{RecordSearch|2475025|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Labor Contracts, Indenture and Apprenticeship Records, 1865-1872}} - [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau Labor Contracts, Indenture and Apprenticeship Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
**{{RecordSearch|1414908|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Marriages, 1861-1872}} - [[United States Freedmen’s Bureau Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
**{{RecordSearch|2431759|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Ration Records,1865-1872}} - [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau Ration Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
**{{RecordSearch|2515868|United States, Freedmen's Bureau Records of Persons and Articles Hired, 1865-1872 }} - [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau Records of Persons and Articles Hired - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
**{{RecordSearch|2515865|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Freedmen's Court Records, 1865-1872 }} - [[United States, Freedmen’s Bureau, Freedmen’s Court Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
**{{RecordSearch|2515867|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Land and Property Records, 1865-1872 }} - [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Land and Property Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
**{{RecordSearch|2492627|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen's Complaints, 1865-1872 }} - [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen's Complaints - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
**{{RecordSearch|2427894|United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education, 1865-1872 }} - [[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 FamilySearch collections not included:
*{{RecordSearch|2575789|United States Freedmen's Bureau Miscellaneous Records,1865-1872 }} - [[United States Freedmen's Bureau Miscellaneous Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*{{RecordSearch|2721171|United States Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen, 1865-1872 }} - [[United States Freedmen’s Bureau, Records of Freedmen - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]
*{{RecordSearch|2427901|''United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner, 1865-1872'' }} Images only. - [[United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]] These reports primarily contain statistical and historical information. 
*More collections are available in the FamilySearch Catalog. Search for "FREEDMEN - INDIANA" in the Subjects search bar to find.


African-American Veterans in Howard County, Indiana (1890)
Visit the [[African American Freedmen's Bureau Records]] page to learn more about utilizing these records.<br>


African-American Veterans in Jefferson County, Indiana (1890)
===School Records===
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/410450 Jean E. Spears & Dorothy Paul, transcribed and arranged. ''Admission record, Indianapolis Asylum for Friendless Colored Children, 1871-1900.''Indianapolis, Indiana : Indiana Historical Society, 1978. 977.252 J3s]


African-American Veterans in Jennings County, Indiana (1890)
===Slavery Records===
The FamilySearch Library has microfilms for some slavery records in Indiana. These are listed in the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under:


African-American Veterans in Knox County, Indiana (1890)
:: INDIANA, [COUNTY]- SLAVERY AND BONDAGE


African-American Veterans in Martin County, Indiana (1890)  
''Index to the Blacks, Mulattoes, and Indians, 1870 Federal Population Census of Indiana''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1987. {{FSC|542715|item|disp=FS Library film 1509480 ( first of 5)}}. The names are listed alphabetically.


African-American Veterans in Monroe County, Indiana (1890)  
''Index to the Blacks, Mulattoes, and Indians, 1880 Federal Census of Indiana''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1987. {{FSC|542743|item|disp=FS Library film 1509284 item 2 (first of 8)}}. The names are listed alphabetically.
===Vital Records===
====Birth====
*[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60871 Indiana, Birth Certificates, 1907-1940] - lists name, birth date and place, gender, legitimacy, number of children of the mother, and parents' names, residence, race, age, birthplace, and occupation


African-American Veterans in Montgomery County, Indiana (1890)
====Marriage====
*[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60282 Indiana, Marriages, 1810-2001] - information listed can include the marriage date and place and the bride and groom's name, gender, race, age, birth date and place, and parents


African-American Veterans in Ohio County, Indiana (1890)  
The Freedmen's Bureau (1865-1872) was created by the US government to assist former slaves in the southern United States. One of their responsibilities was to record the marriages (past and present) of the former slaves. 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]
*[https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1231 U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Marriage Records, 1846-1867]


African-American Veterans in Perry County, Indiana (1890)
====Death====
*[https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1947977 Indiana Death Index, 1882-1920] - usually lists name, death date and place, age, gender, and race


African-American Veterans in Pike County, Indiana (1890)  
====Divorce====
===Voting Records===
==Archives and Libraries==
[https://aaamc.indiana.edu/ '''Indiana University: Archives of African American Music and Culture''']<br>
2805 E. Tenth St., Suite 180-181<br>
Bloomington, Indiana 47408-4662<br>
Phone: (812) 855-8547<br>


African-American Veterans in Posey County, Indiana (1890)
The Archives of African American Music and Culture is a repository of materials covering a range of African American musical idioms and culture expressions from the post-World War II era.


African-American Veterans in Randolph County, Indiana (1890)
==Societies==
[http://www.indgensoc.org/ '''Indiana Genealogical Society''']<br>
P.O. Box 10507<br>
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46852-0507<br>


African-American Veterans in Spencer County, Indiana (1890)
The Indiana Genealogical Society has many online databases; some are free but most are only available for members of the society. See [http://www.indgensoc.org/membersonly/databases_premium.pdf Premium Databases] for a list of all of the databases available for members. See [http://www.indgensoc.org/membersonly/databases_free.pdf FREE Databases] for a list of all of the free databases available. The free databases contain records such as: indexes to cemeteries, funeral home records, business and phone directories, county and church histories, school records, indexes to probate records, military records, and death records. Go to [http://www.indgensoc.org/membersonly/databases.php Databases] to access these records.<br><br>


African-American Veterans in Vanderburgh County, Indiana (1890)
[https://www.iaagg.org/ '''Indiana African American Genealogy Group''']<br>
P.O. Box 1811<br>
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-1811<br>


African-American Veterans in Vigo County, Indiana (1890)
The IAAGG was created to enhance the availability of resources for the study of African American genealogy.


African-American Veterans in Warrick County, Indiana (1890)


African-American Veterans in Wayne County, Indiana (1890)


<br>  
==References==
<references />


African-American Residents in Posey County, Indiana (1882)


African-Americans in Civilian Conservation Corps, Princeton, Gibson County, Indiana (1933)


African-Americans in Civilian Conservation Corps, Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis (1938)
{{African American|African American}}
{{Indiana|Indiana}}


African-Americans in Civilian Conservation Corps, Wadesville, Posey County, Indiana (1938)
[[Category:Indiana, United States]]
[[Category:African American Records]]
[[Category:Indiana Cultural Groups]]

Latest revision as of 11:57, 30 January 2025

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


Introduction

To learn how to get started with African American research, find research facilities, and websites click here.

Online Resources

  • 1846-1867 U.S., Freedmen’s Bureau Marriage Records, 1846-1867 ($)
  • 1853-1860 Register of Negroes and Mulattoes (1853-1860) in Jefferson County, Indiana
  • 1861-1872 United States, Freedmen's Bureau Marriages, 1861-1872 at FamilySearch
  • 1865-1874 Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1874 at FamilySearch
  • pre-1882 Deaths in Indiana (Pre-1882)
  • African American Digital Bookshelf - a growing list of digital books on FamilySearch and other websites
  • African American Gateway: Indiana - includes links to online resources
  • Discover Freedmen - this site searches all of the Freedmen's Bureau record collections on FamilySearch altogether (and redirects there)
  • Indiana African American Genealogy. Access Genealogy
  • Individuals Associated with Indiana's African-American Settlements (1817-1930)
  • INDGenSoc Military Records
  • INDGenSoc Statewide Records
  • INDGenSoc County Records (including indexes to cemeteries)
  • Early Black Settlements by County
  • History of Slavery in Indiana
  • Slavery in the North: Indiana, Illinois

    • Research Strategy

    Historys

    There were many African-Americans in Indiana dating from the early 1800s. In 1850, the federal government passed laws that endangered the liberties of free blacks in the South. At that time, many migrated north, some with Canada in mind as a destination. Some of these stopped in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois and formed communities, often near Quakers. By about 1852, there were approximately 3,000 free African-Americans in Indiana. Free blacks often followed the migration patterns of their white neighbors. Large numbers of blacks in Indiana in the mid-19th century came to the state from North Carolina or Virginia. Some of the black Indiana farmers of the mid-1800s were large landowners.

    In 1825 the Indiana General Assembly passed a resolution directed toward African Americans to provide for the gradual emancipation of slaves and foreign colonization. In 1830 the Negro Convention Movement peaked nationally with increased interest in 1850's. The movement encouraged the African Americans to organize and devise ways to improve their condition. The Anti-Slavery Society was formed in Wayne County, Indiana by Quakers in 1840 as an auxiliary to the Indiana State Anti-Slavery Society. Records of the Economy Anti-Slavery Society reflect the organization's effort to stop the practice of slavery and the racial exclusion laws. In 1851 Indiana revised its Constitution preventing "new" black residents from entering or settling in the state. An 1852 act established a "Register of Negroes and Mulattoes" to be maintained by county clerks. Beginning in 1877, the state census enumerations listed the name and age of white male residents 21 or over and a separate list of names of African American males 21 or over. These names are listed under the heading "Negro".

    See Early Black Settlements and Being Black in Indiana to learn more about African Americans in early Indiana history. Moment of Indiana History: Indiana's African-American History also discusses African Americans in Indiana history.

    Also see: African-American Life in Howard County.

    The following books and periodicals contain histories, bibliographies, and essays about African Americans in Indiana:

    • Gibbs, Wilma L., ed. Indiana’s African-American Heritage: Essays from Black History News & Notes. Indianapolis, Indiana: Indiana Historical Society, 1994. FS Catalog book 977.2 F2i This contains many insightful articles on education, culture, women, and history and includes some biographical sketches of noteworthy African Americans.
    • Thornbrough, Emma Lou. The Negro in Indiana Before 1900: A Study of a Minority. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana University Press, 1993. FS Catalog book 977.2 F2t. This book details the population changes and social history of African Americans in Indiana.
    • Robbins, Coy D., comp. Indiana Negro Registers, 1852–1865. Bowie, Maryland.: Heritage Books, 1994. FS Catalog book 977.2 F2r. The lists are alphabetical by county and give name, age, physical description, place of birth, residence, names of witnesses, and date registered. This book includes records of 2,138 free African-Americans in 15 counties: Bartholomew, Floyd, Franklin, Gibson, Harrison, Hendricks, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, Knox, Martin, Ohio, Orange, Switzerland, and Washington.
    • Taylor, Robert M. Jr. and Connie A. McBirney, eds. Peopling Indiana: The Ethnic Experience. Indianapolis, Indiana: Indiana Historical Society, 1996. FS Catalog book 977.2 F2p. This 703-page book gives the background history of 30 ethnic groups.
    • Hine, Darlene Clark, The black women in the Middle West Project. Indianapolis, Indiana: Indiana Historical Society, 1986. FS Catalog book 977 F2h

    For a listing of books about minorities, such as the African Americans, see the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under:

    INDIANA-MINORITIES INDIANA, [COUNTY]- SLAVERY AND BONDAGE

    Resources

    Biographies

    Cemeteries

    INGenWeb has pages for all of the counties in Indiana. Some of these counties have transcribed their cemetery records and/or uploaded photographs of the tombstones. These are available online.

    The Indiana Genealogical Society has indexed many cemeteries in Indiana. Some of these indexes are available on their website for free. To find these indexes, visit INDGenSoc County Records.


    Census Records

    Beginning in 1877, the state census enumerations listed the name and age of white male residents 21 or over and a separate list of names of African American males 21 or over. These names are listed under the heading "Negro". A few fragments of the 1877 census are at the Indiana State Archives. These are not on microfilm at the FamilySearch Library. County offices might have the original records.

    Index to the Blacks, Mulattoes, and Indians, 1870 Federal Population Census of Indiana. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1987. FS Library film 1509480 ( first of 5). The names are listed alphabetically.

    Index to the Blacks, Mulattoes, and Indians, 1880 Federal Census of Indiana. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1987. FS Library film 1509284 item 2 (first of 8). The names are listed alphabetically.

    Church Records

    The Indiana Genealogical Society has made a few church histories available online for free. To find these histories, visit INDGenSoc County Records.

    Emancipation Records

    Funeral Homes

    The Indiana Genealogical Society has made a few funeral home records available online for free:

    Genealogies

    Land and Property

    Plantation

    Obituaries

    Oral Histories

    Other Records

    Military Records

    The Indiana Genealogical Society has made many Indiana military records available online for free. To find these records, visit INDGenSoc Military Records.

    Newspapers

    Probate Records

    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:

    Other FamilySearch collections not included:

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

    School Records

    Slavery Records

    The FamilySearch Library has microfilms for some slavery records in Indiana. These are listed in the Place Search of the FamilySearch Catalog under:

    INDIANA, [COUNTY]- SLAVERY AND BONDAGE

    Index to the Blacks, Mulattoes, and Indians, 1870 Federal Population Census of Indiana. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1987. FS Library film 1509480 ( first of 5). The names are listed alphabetically.

    Index to the Blacks, Mulattoes, and Indians, 1880 Federal Census of Indiana. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1987. FS Library film 1509284 item 2 (first of 8). The names are listed alphabetically.

    Vital Records

    Birth

    • Indiana, Birth Certificates, 1907-1940 - lists name, birth date and place, gender, legitimacy, number of children of the mother, and parents' names, residence, race, age, birthplace, and occupation

    Marriage

    • Indiana, Marriages, 1810-2001 - information listed can include the marriage date and place and the bride and groom's name, gender, race, age, birth date and place, and parents

    The Freedmen's Bureau (1865-1872) was created by the US government to assist former slaves in the southern United States. One of their responsibilities was to record the marriages (past and present) of the former slaves. 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.

    Death

    Divorce

    Voting Records

    Archives and Libraries

    Indiana University: Archives of African American Music and Culture
    2805 E. Tenth St., Suite 180-181
    Bloomington, Indiana 47408-4662
    Phone: (812) 855-8547

    The Archives of African American Music and Culture is a repository of materials covering a range of African American musical idioms and culture expressions from the post-World War II era.

    Societies

    Indiana Genealogical Society
    P.O. Box 10507
    Fort Wayne, Indiana 46852-0507

    The Indiana Genealogical Society has many online databases; some are free but most are only available for members of the society. See Premium Databases for a list of all of the databases available for members. See FREE Databases for a list of all of the free databases available. The free databases contain records such as: indexes to cemeteries, funeral home records, business and phone directories, county and church histories, school records, indexes to probate records, military records, and death records. Go to Databases to access these records.

    Indiana African American Genealogy Group
    P.O. Box 1811
    Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-1811

    The IAAGG was created to enhance the availability of resources for the study of African American genealogy.


    References

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


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