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African American Family History
Step By Step
African American family history poses a challenge for researchers. The vast majority of African Americans are descendants of black Africans brought to North America to serve as slaves in the 18th and 19th centuries. Because slaves had no legal rights, they are often not found in many of the traditional record sources. Don't let this challenge defer you, however. Treat your search for your African-American roots just as you would any other genealogical research project - start with what you know and methodically take your research back step-by-step.
Afro-American Historical & Genealogy Society
www.AAHGS.org
The 1870 federal census is the first one to list all blacks by name. There are also a number of post-Civil War records which specifically document thousands of African Americans, including the Freedman's Bureau Records and the records of the Southern Claim Commission.
Citizenship was granted in 1868 to slaves, an action that had an impact on records like letters, diaries, wills, census records, land deeds, voter registrations, and school records.
However, like people of that time, written documents were sometimes segregated.
Despite the challenges, the future holds promise. New records are continually being discovered, catalogued, transcribed, and digitized.
Resources:
Black Roots: a beginner’s guide by Tony Burroughs
Finding a place called home: a guide to African American genealogy…by Dee Woodtor
Federal Census Records*
Freedman’s Bureau Records
Southern Claims Commission
AfriGeneas – http://www.afrigeneas.com
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USF African American http://africanaheritage.com/
*Tip:We go to the census to find our folks. This is a starting point. Ancestry.com is the best but Heritage Quest and Family Search.org are FREE! Note: Follow one family at a time. (Male line) Be focus and stick to it.
Ms. Harriet Genealogy Presentations
African american genealogy Ms Harriet presenting at the North Greenwood Recreation Center, Clearwater, Florida. See short clip
African American Genealogy Myths and Challenges presented at the Pinellas Genealogy Society at the Largo Public Library.
Copyright 2016 Ms Harriet At a Glance. All rights reserved.
ph: 727-585-6891
harri123