United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner - FamilySearch Historical Records: Difference between revisions

United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Assistant Commissioner - FamilySearch Historical Records (view source)

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 == How Do I Search the Collection?  ==
-To begin your search it is helpful to know:
+The Freedmen’s Bureau records are a major source of genealogical information about post Civil War African Americans. To begin your search it is helpful to know the name and some other identifying information such as age, residence or former owner.
-*The name of your ancestor
-*Identifying information such as name of spouse, age birthplace or residence
 '''Search by Name by visiting the [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1803698?collectionNameFilter=false Collection Page]:'''<br>
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 '''View images in this collection by visiting the [https://familysearch.org/search/image/index#uri=https://familysearch.org/recapi/sord/collection/1803698/waypoints Browse Page]:'''<br>To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links: <br> ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page <br> ⇒Select the appropriate "Freedmen's Bureau Office or Location" <br> ⇒Select the appropriate "NARA Roll Number-Contents" which takes you to the images.
-Look at each image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination. Keep in mind:
+Look at each image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.
+==I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?==
+When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Save a copy of the image or transcribe the information. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details such as a title, an occupation, or land ownership. Add this new information to your records of each family. You should also look for leads to other records about your ancestors. For example use the place of residence, age, and other information for each person to search for the individuals in census records and other types of records.
+=== Tips to Keep in Mind ===
 *There may be more than one person in the records with the same name.
 *You may not be sure of your own ancestor’s name.
 *Your ancestor may have used different names or variations of their name throughout their life.
+*The records are a good source to quickly identify a family group and residence.
+*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.
-== I Found Who I was Looking for, What Now?  ==
+== I Can't Find Who I'm Looking for, What Now? ==
-When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. Download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors. The following examples show ways you can use the information:
+*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.
-*Use the estimated age to calculate a birth date.
+== General Information About Freedmen's Bureau Records  ==
-*Use the names, ages, and residence to search the census records.
-=== Tips to Keep in Mind  ===
+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>
-*Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives.
+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>
-*When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.
+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.
-*You may need to compare the information of more than one family or person to make this determination.
-*Be aware that your ancestor may have used more than one name during their lifetime.
-== I Can't Find Who I'm Looking for, What Now?  ==
-*Look for variant spellings of the names. You should also look for nicknames and abbreviated names.
-=== Additional Information About These Records  ===
-The Freedmen’s Bureau records are a major source of genealogical information about post Civil War African Americans. They are also a good source to quickly identify a family group and residence. Use the place of residence, age, and other information for each person to search for the individuals in census records and other types of records.
-The [[African American Freedman's Savings and Trust Company Records|Freedmen’s Bank Records]] are the most commonly known records created by the Freedmen’s Bureau and have also been described separately.
-The original records are preserved at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland. Copies of the original records are available at the National Archives Building in Washington D.C. and the regional archives located in Alaska, California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington State. The records were microfilmed in 2001 the microfilms are available at the Family History Library.
-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  ==
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 *[[United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of the Commissioner (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
 *[[United States, Records of the Superintendent of Education and of the Division of Education (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
 ==Citing this Collection==