Tracing Your African American Ancestors Records of Slave Owning Families
TLDRThe video transcript presents a detailed guide on tracing African-American ancestry through records of slave-owning families. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging enslaved people's history and identities, and outlines various resources for genealogical research, including public and private records, newspapers, church records, and insurance policies. The speaker, Daniel William Camp, provides strategies for identifying slave owners and accessing historical documents, highlighting the value of digitized resources and the potential leads they offer into an ancestor's past.
Takeaways
- π The importance of tracing African-American ancestry is emphasized, highlighting the human stories behind enslaved individuals and the need to recover their lost names and histories.
- π§βπ« The presenter, Daniel William Camp, introduces the class on tracing African-American ancestors, focusing on records of slave-owning families and the challenges in researching this advanced topic.
- π Various records that might name an enslaved person are discussed, including public records like wills, probate records, bills of sale, and private records like plantation records, diaries, and letters.
- π The use of digital resources such as newspapers, databases, and online archives is highlighted as a valuable tool for genealogical research.
- π° Newspaper obituaries and 'In Wanted' ads can provide clues about slave owners and the enslaved, offering potential leads for further research.
- π The American Slave biographies, although problematic due to the use of slave dialect, can provide insights into the lives of formerly enslaved people.
- πΌ The Freedmen's Bureau records, including marriage records and work contracts, can be a source of information about slave owners and the enslaved.
- π¦ The Freedmen's Bank signature cards sometimes listed the names of slave owners, providing another avenue for tracing ancestry.
- π Compensated emancipation records and recruitment lists of U.S. colored troops can reveal the names of slave owners and details about enslaved individuals.
- ποΈ Church records in areas with significant enslaved populations can contain information about baptisms, marriages, and burials of enslaved people.
- π The speaker suggests using tools like the National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections (NUTCAT), the Archive Grid, and History Vault to locate and access relevant records across different repositories.
Q & A
What is the main focus of the class presented by Daniel William Camp?
-The main focus of the class is to discuss the methods and resources available for tracing African-American ancestors, particularly those with records of slave-owning families.
How does the quote from D. Palmer Water set the tone for the class?
-The quote emphasizes the importance of recognizing the individual identities and histories of enslaved people, countering the notion that they were anonymous or without a past, and thus framing the class's aim to restore these lost identities through genealogical research.
What are some of the public records that might contain the names of enslaved people?
-Public records that might contain the names of enslaved people include wills, probate records, bills of sale, slave ship manifests, court records, and legislative records.
Why is finding the name of the slave owner crucial in genealogical research on African-American ancestors?
-Finding the name of the slave owner is crucial because many records, both public and private, are linked to the slave owner rather than the enslaved individuals themselves. Knowing the owner's name can lead to the discovery of documents that record the enslaved person's name and life details.
What role did newspapers play in genealogical research for African-American ancestors?
-Newspapers can provide valuable information such as obituaries of formerly enslaved people that might mention their past owners, want ads placed by African Americans searching for family members, and historical articles that can offer context and leads for further research.
How did the Freedmen's Bureau records contribute to genealogical research?
-The Freedmen's Bureau records, which include marriage records and work contracts, can provide information about the enslaved people's lives after emancipation, and sometimes, indirectly, about their former slave owners. These records can be a valuable resource for tracing family histories and connections.
What is the significance of life insurance policies taken out by slave owners on their enslaved people?
-Life insurance policies taken out by slave owners on their enslaved people indicate that the enslaved individuals were considered valuable property. These policies can be a source of information about the enslaved people and their owners, and can help in tracing genealogical connections.
What are some of the challenges in finding private records related to slave-owning families?
-Private records can be difficult to find because they may be scattered among various descendants, donated to different archives or libraries, or even lost over time. Accessing these records often requires knowledge of the slave owner's name and a significant amount of research to locate where they might be stored.
How can the National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections (NUCMC) aid in research?
-The NUCMC, maintained by the Library of Congress, provides a comprehensive list of manuscript collections held in archives across the country. It can help researchers identify where specific collections related to slave-owning families or individuals might be located.
What is the role of digital databases like History Vault in genealogical research?
-Digital databases like History Vault provide access to a wide range of historical documents, including those related to slave-owning families and enslaved people. They can be particularly useful for researchers who may not be able to physically visit the archives where the original documents are stored.
Outlines
π Introduction to Tracing African-American Ancestors
The video script begins with a welcome to the virtual classroom for a program on tracing African-American ancestors, specifically focusing on records of slave-owning families. The presenter, Daniel William Camp, introduces himself and provides the date and time of the program. He mentions that the course will be available on YouTube and provides information about accessing a handout for the class. The main topic of discussion is the importance of identifying the names and records of enslaved individuals, emphasizing that they were not anonymous but had their own histories and families. The quote by D. Palmer Waters is highlighted, which underlines the human aspect of enslaved people and the societal loss of their names and stories.
π Strategies for Identifying Slave Owners
The second paragraph delves into the challenges of finding the names of slave owners, which is crucial for tracing African-American ancestry. It explains that many African-American families did not pass down the names of slave owners due to the painful history. The presenter suggests various methods for discovering this information, including searching newspaper obituaries and other records. Examples of newspaper obituaries that mention former slaves and their past owners are provided, illustrating how such records can offer valuable leads in genealogical research.
π Utilizing Newspapers and Print Resources
This section discusses the role of newspapers in genealogical research, particularly in locating advertisements placed by formerly enslaved individuals seeking family members or friends. It also mentions the 'American Slave' series, a collection of interviews with formerly enslaved people conducted during the Great Depression. The paragraph highlights the importance of Freedmen's Bureau records, including marriage records and work contracts, as potential sources of information on slave owners. Additionally, it touches on the Freedmen's Bank and its signature cards, which sometimes included the names of slave owners.
π Exploring Compensated Emancipation Records
The focus of this paragraph is on compensated emancipation records, which document efforts to free enslaved people with compensation to slave owners. It describes the process and forms involved in compensated emancipation in Washington DC and the enlistment of enslaved persons in the Union Army during the Civil War. The paragraph emphasizes that while slave owners were supposed to receive compensation, there is no record of these payments being made. However, these records can still provide valuable information about enslaved individuals and their owners.
ποΈ Church and Life Insurance Records
This paragraph discusses the potential of church records to provide information about enslaved individuals, particularly in areas with predominantly Roman Catholic or Anglican populations. It gives examples of baptism and marriage records that mention slaves and their owners. Additionally, the paragraph explores the possibility of finding records of life insurance policies taken out by slave owners on their enslaved people, which can also be a source of information about both the enslaved and their owners.
π Online Resources and Databases for Slave Owner Records
The final paragraph highlights various online resources and databases that can aid in the search for slave owner records. It mentions efforts by states like California to compile information on insurance companies' connections to slavery and the development of databases such as 'Unknown No Longer' for Virginia and the Afro-Louisiana History and Genealogy site. The paragraph also discusses the National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections (NUCM) as a tool for locating manuscript collections across the United States and the importance of the Hartman Manuscript Collection, which includes documents related to enslaved African Americans.
ποΈ Accessing and Utilizing the Hartman Collection
This section provides a detailed look at the Hartman Collection, which contains documents related to enslaved African Americans. It explains that the collection is divided between Xavier University and Texas Southern University, with the former focusing on Louisiana and Mississippi records. The paragraph describes how to access the digitized Hartman Collection at Xavier University and provides examples of the types of documents found within, such as bills of sale and bank records, which can offer insights into the lives of enslaved individuals and their owners.
π Conclusion and Additional Resources
The video script concludes with a summary of the strategies and resources discussed for tracing African-American ancestors and identifying slave owners. It encourages viewers to ask questions and seek further information through the provided contact details. The presenter also mentions the existence of additional resources at Texas Southern University and suggests contacting the university for access. The video ends with an invitation to engage with the content through likes and comments on the YouTube platform.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘African-American ancestors
π‘Genealogical research
π‘Slave-owning families
π‘Plantation records
π‘Public records
π‘Private records
π‘Enslaved people
π‘Name of the slave owner
π‘Genealogical databases
π‘Hartman collection
Highlights
The class focuses on tracing African-American ancestors through records of slave-owning families, emphasizing the importance of remembering enslaved people as individuals with their own histories and identities.
The quote from D. Palmer Waters in her book underscores the humanity of enslaved people, highlighting that they were not anonymous and had their own personal and familial connections.
The presenter, Daniel William Camp, encourages those new to genealogical research to start with earlier programs before delving into this advanced topic.
Various records such as wills, probate records, bills of sale, slave ship manifests, court records, and legislative documents may contain names of enslaved individuals.
Plantation records, including journals, diaries, letters, family Bibles, insurance policies, and mortgage records, may also provide information on enslaved people, though these private records can be difficult to access.
The challenge of finding the names of slave owners is discussed, noting that few African American families passed down this information due to the painful history.
Newspaper obituaries and 'In Wanted' ads can sometimes provide information on slave owners and connections to formerly enslaved individuals seeking their families and friends.
The American Slave biographies, created during the Great Depression, contain life stories of formerly enslaved people, though they should be approached with awareness of the era's racial biases.
Freedmen's Bureau records, including marriage and work contracts, can offer clues about slave owners and the lives of the enslaved after emancipation.
The Freedmen's Bank signature cards sometimes listed the names of slave owners, providing a potential source of information for researchers.
Compensated emancipation records and recruitment lists of U.S. Colored Troops can be valuable resources for identifying slave owners and their connections to specific enslaved individuals.
Church records in certain areas may have documented the baptisms or marriages of enslaved people, sometimes including the names of slave owners.
Some states, like Kentucky and Virginia, kept birth records for enslaved people, which can be a valuable resource for genealogical research.
Life insurance policies taken out on enslaved people by their owners can be a source of information, as the policyholder had to have an insurable interest in the enslaved person.
Online databases and collections like the National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections (NUCM), History Vault, and the Hartman Manuscript Collection can be utilized to find records related to slave-owning families and their enslaved workers.
The presenter advises using tools like the Nutmeg catalog and Archive Grid to locate and access the records of slave-owning families across various archives and libraries in the United States.
The class concludes with an invitation for viewers to submit questions or comments, emphasizing the ongoing search for information and the importance of community in genealogical research.
Transcripts
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