African American Introduction: Difference between revisions

To make a slavery connection, you must first identify the enslaver, and then study the enslaver's records for clues to family information. About 15 percent of formerly enslaved persons took their last enslaver's surname. Sources for identifying the enslaver include Records of Ante-Bellum Southern Plantations from the Revolution Through the Civil War: Series A through N, [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/564176?availability=Family%20History%20Library FS Library Film nos. 1,534,196 through 1,534,236].  

The Freedman’s Savings and Trust Records include birthplace, place brought up, residence, age, complexion, name of employer or occupation, spouse, children, father, mother, brothers and sisters, remarks, and signature. These records are found in Registers of Signatures of Depositors in Branches of the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company, 1865—1874 FS Library Film nos. [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/133425?availability=Family%20History%20Library 928,571 through 928,591]. An additional guide for Freedmen’s Bureau field office records is Preliminary Inventory of the Records of the Field Offices of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands: Record Group 105 by Elaine Everly and Willna Pacheli {{FSC|Book: 973 F23ea}}. Part 1 includes Alabama and Louisiana, Part 2 includes Maryland and South Carolina, and Part 3 includes Tennessee and Virginia. Some of the Freedmen’s Bureau records are available online at: