In Celebration of Black History Research

Never before has there been more reason for African-ancestored genealogists and family historians to celebrate Black History Month! Not since Alex Haley’s landmark book, Roots, was published in 1976 and the subsequent blockbuster television series has there been such an interest in researching African and African American ancestors.

Now, well into the twenty-first century, the awareness of the existence of records many people had thought weren’t available or in accessible is heightened. Technology has enabled vast amounts of data to be made available as digitized images or through electronic indexes that point to the repositories where original or microfilmed records are housed.
In "Along Those Lines . . ." this week, let’s explore some of the record types that are available electronically at Ancestry.com that can help further your research if you are of African American ancestry.

[ADN Editor’s Note: **Asterisked databases can be accessed free throughout February 2006 when accessed through the African American Research Center. Users will be required to log in or complete a free registration.]

**U.S. Federal Census Slave SchedulesThe federal government’s first official attempt to determine the full extent of slavery in the United States began with the 1850 census Slave Schedules and was repeated in 1860. These documents were completed in addition to the standard population schedules and were used to determine the geographical concentrations of slavery (and it wasn’t only in the South), slave population densities and living conditions, and social conditions. These documents offer tremendous possibilities for the researcher. They are digitized and, even though names changed over time, family groups and ages can be invaluable in tracing ancestors beyond the period of the American Civil War.

**Slave Narratives The Slave Narratives database at Ancestry.com is an unparalleled collection of the reminiscences of former slaves. It consists of more than 20,000 pages of type-scripted interviews with approximately 3,500 former slaves, collected over a ten-year period between 1929 and 1939. The database is searchable by name, state, category, keyword, and a special thesaurus-style filter that interprets like words. Perhaps some of the most compelling insights into the lives of persons who endured life in slavery can be found in this collection of records.

**Freedman's Bank Records, 1865 to 1874 The Freedman's Savings and Trust Company was incorporated in 1865 by an act signed by President Lincoln. The purpose of the company was to create an institution where former slaves and their dependents could place and save their money. Ultimately there were thirty-seven branch offices in seventeen states with approximately 70,000 depositors and deposits of more than $57 million. However, in 1874, as a result of mismanagement, fraud, and other situations, the Freedman's Bank closed.

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12 Steps to Genealogical Fitness

Is your genealogy in shape? Now you may think this is a silly question. When we hear the phrase “in shape” we automatically associate it with our physical health. So, what could these two concepts -- “fitness” and “genealogy” -- possibly have in common?

Like millions of others, one of my New Year’s resolutions for 2006 is to become more physically fit. Another is to become a more dedicated and effective genealogist.
As I approach my physical fitness and genealogical research goals, I observe many similarities. First of all, just as physical fitness is accomplished by exercising your body, success as a genealogist often requires exercising your mind. Secondly, the preparation for each activity is often parallel. You need to warm up, stretch, sometimes hit the ground running, feel the exhilaration of activity, and then, cool down.

Often you start off with a bang; you have the best of intentions that excite you and initially spur you on. With a regular physical workout, you lose a few pounds and your clothes fit better. With genealogy, you discover a detail about an ancestor. You feel great.

Then, it happens. You hit a brick wall. Your weight loss stalls. You search for further information on your ancestor, but fail to find that one record that will confirm your assumptions. (The courthouse did not have the birth or marriage record; the church your ancestor attended burned down and the records were lost in the fire, etc.). You begin to get discouraged and want to pack it in. “Is it really worth it, anyway?” Then you make excuses -- “I don’t have the time. It’s too difficult,” and so on.

Both activities require a great deal of hard work and also have similar obstacles. So I have identified twelve steps to use as a guideline for working on my personal fitness and my family’s genealogy...

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Picturing the Past and Present

Some of us still live in the area where we have lived since we were children. Last fall, I drove past several of the places where I lived as both a child and as an adult. I was showing my oldest granddaughter these places and telling her some stories. I really enjoyed pointing out which rooms had been her Dad’s and telling her stories about him. It was so nice to hear her asking questions, including a surprising one: "Grandma, how did you become interested in genealogy?" I think she is really becoming a convert.

Visiting Houses of Yesteryear As we drove I was reminded that we shouldn’t overlook the memories of younger family members. It was amazing to hear what my granddaughter remembers about the places she has lived and the house where I lived for many years of her young life. I jotted down a few notes based on her memories. We spent some time with my own parents on one occasion. That got her thinking about their former home, which we had driven by. They had moved from there for many years prior to when she was born. I was able to tell her stories, and now I plan to dig out the picture from 1952 that shows that home as one of the first in the area.

When my grandmother was still living I often surprised her by driving past the home where she lived as a child. It was always a special treat for her--and even better, I got to hear stories about the house and the family. I often wish I had taken a tape recorder along with me. You might be able to do the same things with your own family members.

If You Can't Go In Person I realize it’s not possible for all of us to make it back to the places of yesteryear, but there are ways to see what it looks like today. Unfortunately, if it no longer exists I can’t rebuild it for you, but if you can’t get there in person, begin a memory visit. Try telling someone else about the places and the meaningful memories. Haul out the old pictures or ask your sister or brother or aunt or uncle to share the old pictures he or she has saved. Be sure to ask if you can make copies of them before you return them. I know you will be writing down all the memories.

Here are some other alternatives for when you can’t get there in person...

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