Researching Enslaved Ancestors

The webinar begins with an introduction by Jenever Morris, Vice President of Education and Programming at the American Ancestors New England Historic Genealogical Society. She sets the stage for the session, highlighting the non-profit nature of the society and its mission to provide resources and expertise in family history. The presenter, Megan Siekman, a genealogist with a Ph.D. in history, is introduced along with her areas of interest and experience in genealogy. The session aims to guide attendees on creating a research strategy for tracing enslaved ancestors, with a focus on overcoming common challenges such as the 1870 brick wall, changing surnames, and identifying enslavers.

Megan Siekman delves into the complexities of racial terminology and its evolution over time, emphasizing the importance of understanding historical context when researching ancestors of African descent. She dispels the common myth that emancipated individuals typically took the surname of their enslavers, noting that this was not the norm. She outlines various reasons why surnames might have changed, including adoption, self-adoption, and the influence of different enslavers. Megan also introduces the 'fan method' for researching, which involves looking at friends, associates, and neighbors of ancestors to gather a wide range of potential leads.

The presenter outlines a structured approach to researching enslaved ancestors, starting with formulating clear research questions. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical and legal context of the ancestors, including creating timelines of relevant laws and mapping out the geographical locations. Megan also discusses identifying potential sources of information, such as state, county, and local archives, and the necessity of organizing and evaluating the information gathered from these sources.

Megan demonstrates how to use the 1870 census and 1860 slave schedules to trace ancestors, focusing on the importance of noting the location, neighbors, and landowners in the area where ancestors lived. She explains how comparing the real estate values in the 1870 census can provide insights into potential slave owners. The presenter also illustrates the process of identifying the enslavers by using the Virginia Slave Birth Index and comparing it with the 1870 census records to confirm the identity of Reuben Young Sales and his enslaver, Lucy R. Moon.

The presenter continues her research strategy by examining probate records and deeds to trace the ownership and transfer of enslaved individuals. Megan explains how to extract information about enslaved people from these records and how to use this information to construct a family history of the enslavers. She also discusses the importance of considering the entire family and not just the direct line when researching, as enslaved people were often transferred within family groups. The use of color-coding and spreadsheets to organize the information is highlighted, as well as the potential value of tax records in determining the number and age of enslaved people.

Megan uses historical maps to visualize the neighborhood of her ancestors and identify landowners and potential enslavers. She demonstrates how to correlate information from deeds, tax records, and the Freedmen's Bureau records to build a comprehensive picture of the ancestors' situation before and after emancipation. The presenter also discusses the process of repeatedly revisiting the research questions and sources to refine the search and uncover new leads, such as the connection between the Scott surname and the ancestors.

The session concludes with a Q&A segment where Megan answers questions about researching slave laws, finding historical maps, and utilizing the Virginia Slave Birth Index for other states. She also provides guidance on descendancy research for 18th-century ancestors and shares her experience of conducting research from home. Jenever Morris then highlights additional resources and upcoming events offered by the American Ancestors New England Historic Genealogical Society, encouraging attendees to utilize these resources for further research and education.