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Resources for African-American research fall into two periods: pre-and post-Civil War. Post-Civil War research consists of consulting the same record types you would use to research non–African-Americans. Pre-Civil War records consist of slave importation declarations, plantation records, emancipation records, apprenticeship bonds for freedmen, Alabama hiring practices, census records, plantation owners’ family records, church and cemetery records, military records, and Alabama court records. | Resources for African-American research fall into two periods: pre-and post-Civil War. Post-Civil War research consists of consulting the same record types you would use to research non–African-Americans. Pre-Civil War records consist of slave importation declarations, plantation records, emancipation records, apprenticeship bonds for freedmen, Alabama hiring practices, census records, plantation owners’ family records, church and cemetery records, military records, and Alabama court records. | ||
'''Freedman's Bank Records''' | |||
An excellent source is the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company. 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. | An excellent source is the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company. 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. | ||
Alabama had a branch of the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company in Huntsville and Mobile. In each city depositors are listed by account number. The records are on line at Familysearch.org {{RecordSearch|1417695|United States, Freedmans Bank Records, 1865-1874}} | *Alabama had a branch of the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company in Huntsville and Mobile. In each city depositors are listed by account number. The records are on line at Familysearch.org {{RecordSearch|1417695|United States, Freedmans Bank Records, 1865-1874}} | ||
They are also on microfilm at the Family History Library: | *They are also on microfilm at the Family History Library: | ||
Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company (Huntsville, Alabama), ''Registers of Signatures of Depositors, 1865–1874''. National Archives Microfilm Publications, M0816. Washington, D.C.: National Archives, 1969. {{FHL|709429|item|disp=FHL film 928571}} | :Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company (Huntsville, Alabama), ''Registers of Signatures of Depositors, 1865–1874''. National Archives Microfilm Publications, M0816. Washington, D.C.: National Archives, 1969. {{FHL|709429|item|disp=FHL film 928571}} | ||
Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company (Mobile, Alabama). ''Registers of Signatures of Depositors, 1867–1874.'' National Archives Microfilm Publications, M0816. Washington, D.C.: National Archives, 1969. | :Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company (Mobile, Alabama). ''Registers of Signatures of Depositors, 1867–1874.'' National Archives Microfilm Publications, M0816. Washington, D.C.: National Archives, 1969. {{FHL|133425|item|disp=FHL film 928572}} | ||
'''Freedman’s Bureau.''' Additional government records | '''Freedman’s Bureau.''' Additional government records | ||
United States: ''Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands. Records of the Assistant Commissioner for Alabama, 1865–1869''. National Archives Microfilm Publications, M0809. Washington, D.C.: National Archives, 1969. {{FHL|362692|item|disp=FHL films 1612338–60.}} These reports primarily contain statistical and historical information. For 1865 and 1866, the section on abandoned and confiscated lands {{FHL|362692|item|disp=FHL film 1612358}} 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. | *United States: ''Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands. Records of the Assistant Commissioner for Alabama, 1865–1869''. National Archives Microfilm Publications, M0809. Washington, D.C.: National Archives, 1969. {{FHL|362692|item|disp=FHL films 1612338–60.}} These reports primarily contain statistical and historical information. For 1865 and 1866, the section on abandoned and confiscated lands {{FHL|362692|item|disp=FHL film 1612358}} 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. | ||
The separate Freedman’s Bureau records do not usually name relatives or give genealogical information. They can be found in the Family History Library Catalog Subject Search under: | *The separate Freedman’s Bureau records do not usually name relatives or give genealogical information. They can be found in the Family History Library Catalog Subject Search under: | ||
:FREEDMEN - ALABAMA | :FREEDMEN - ALABAMA | ||
'''Slaves in Deeds''' | |||
Slaves are sometimes mentioned in deeds (see "[[Alabama Land and Property|Land and Property]]"), wills (see "[[Alabama Probate Records|Probate Records]]"), tax records (see "[[Alabama Taxation|Taxation]]"), and court order books (see "[[Alabama Court Records|Court Records]]") under their owner’s name. A few parish registers (see "[[Alabama Church Records|Church Records]]") list slaves who attended church with their masters. | Slaves are sometimes mentioned in deeds (see "[[Alabama Land and Property|Land and Property]]"), wills (see "[[Alabama Probate Records|Probate Records]]"), tax records (see "[[Alabama Taxation|Taxation]]"), and court order books (see "[[Alabama Court Records|Court Records]]") under their owner’s name. A few parish registers (see "[[Alabama Church Records|Church Records]]") list slaves who attended church with their masters. | ||
A record was made of men of African descent who served in the Confederate Army | '''Slaves in the Confederate Army''' | ||
A record was made of men of African descent who served in the Confederate Army. | |||
*Alabama. Department of Archives and History. ''Negroes in the Confederate Army, 1860–1907.'' (Family History Library {{FHL|522854|item|disp=FHL film 1653243 item 4.}} This source lists the name of the soldier and his duty. It may indicate the name of the slave owner, the date of pay, master’s place of residence, where the soldier served in the military, and his military expenses. | |||
'''Plantation Records''' | |||
* Some plantation records mention slaves. The Family History Library has many plantation records on microfilm. These records are described in a series of booklets by Kenneth M. Stampp. Guides for Series A–M are available at the Family History Library: | |||
Stampp, Kenneth M., ed. ''A Guide to Records of Antebellum Southern Plantations from the Revolution through the Civil War: Series A–M, Selections from the Manuscript Department, Duke University Library''. Frederick, Maryland: University Publications of America, 1986. {{FHL|1162175|item|disp=FHL book 975 H2sm.}} The Family History Library has microfilms of most of the records described in the guide. Alabama plantation records are scattered throughout. | *Stampp, Kenneth M., ed. ''A Guide to Records of Antebellum Southern Plantations from the Revolution through the Civil War: Series A–M, Selections from the Manuscript Department, Duke University Library''. Frederick, Maryland: University Publications of America, 1986. {{FHL|1162175|item|disp=FHL book 975 H2sm.}} The Family History Library has microfilms of most of the records described in the guide. Alabama plantation records are scattered throughout. | ||
For example, the booklet for Series F describes records of many plantations in Alabama and other states of the Deep South. The records were microfilmed at Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina. | :For example, the booklet for Series F describes records of many plantations in Alabama and other states of the Deep South. The records were microfilmed at Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina. | ||
''Records of Ante-bellum Southern Plantations from the Revolution Through the Civil War: Series F, Selections from the Manuscript Department'', Duke University Library. Frederick, Maryland: University Publications of America, 1986–1987. {{FHL|564185|item|disp=FHL films beginning with 1549774 (first of 84 films.}} | |||
'' | '''Biographies.''' | ||
Several biographical dictionaries, compendia, and histories may contain information you need, for example: | |||
''Black Biographical Dictionaries, 1790–1950''. Alexandria, Virginia: Chadwyck-Healy, 1980. {{FHL|509200|item|disp=FHL fiche 6049870 (first of 1070 films.}} This publication is sometimes referred to as "The Black Biography Project." Three of the sources included in this collection are: | ''Black Biographical Dictionaries, 1790–1950''. Alexandria, Virginia: Chadwyck-Healy, 1980. {{FHL|509200|item|disp=FHL fiche 6049870 (first of 1070 films.}} This publication is sometimes referred to as "The Black Biography Project." Three of the sources included in this collection are: | ||
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Mixon, Winfield Henri. ''History of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Alabama, with Biographical Sketches.'' Selma, Alabama: A.M.E. Church Sunday School Union, 1902. (Family History Library {{FHL|509200|item|disp=FHL fiche 6079113}} [set of 3]. This book provides pictures, church minutes and history, and speeches. There is no index. | Mixon, Winfield Henri. ''History of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Alabama, with Biographical Sketches.'' Selma, Alabama: A.M.E. Church Sunday School Union, 1902. (Family History Library {{FHL|509200|item|disp=FHL fiche 6079113}} [set of 3]. This book provides pictures, church minutes and history, and speeches. There is no index. | ||
Moorman, Joseph H. and E. L. Barrett. ''Leaders of the Colored Race in Alabama''. Mobile, Alabama: News Publishing, [198–?]. | Moorman, Joseph H. and E. L. Barrett. ''Leaders of the Colored Race in Alabama''. Mobile, Alabama: News Publishing, [198–?]. {{FHL|509200|item|disp=FHL fiche 6079115}} [set of 2]. This source contains biographical sketches with birth dates, educational information, a history of each minister’s service, and a history of churches. It includes an index. | ||
For a history of slavery in Alabama, see: | For a history of slavery in Alabama, see: | ||