One of the best sources on enslaved families are in the records from antebellum plantations. Often stored in research libraries, historical societies, and state archives, they can be difficult to access. Slaveholding families donated personal papers, letters, account books, and many other records and ephemera. Historians have long relied on these sources to understand “the […]
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Tag: Slave research
Searching For Enslaved Fathers
Giles Holt of Hardin County, Tennessee enslaved my ancestor Malinda Holt. Giles enslaved her and others, including another woman named Judy (or Judah) Holt. I will probably never know whether or not Malinda and Judy were biological sisters (Update, 2017: DNA research suggests they were not). Nevertheless, I track Judy’s children as my relatives. It […]
What You Didn’t Know About Slavery
OK, I confess that blog title is a little sensationalized. Much of this information becomes well-known to researchers of African-American families over the years. Family research turns many of us into walking, talking, beacons of history. It is an endlessly fascinating subject: epic, tragic and but often inspiring. Points to Remember Nevertheless, here are […]
Slave Housing
I’ve been pondering lately how we need to reconsider how our enslaved ancestors lived. We need to think more about the physical dimensions of that space. Not long ago I posted a recommendation for a book called “Back of the Big House.” This book tells the stories of these homes well and encouraged me to […]
Southern Claims Commission
I’ve been perusing the Southern Claims Commission records and rediscovering how incredible they are. The files includes many stories of the experiences of civilians during the Civil War.The website Fold3 has digitized many of these claims. Background Congress established the Southern Claims Commission in 1871. The Commission adjudicated claims by loyal Southerners for reimbursement of […]
Journal Articles on Slave Research
One of the things that has contributed greatly to my growth as a genealogist has been regularly reading genealogy society journal articles. Researchers looking to grow in their skills would do well to begin exploring these, and let me tell you why. Why Read if I am Not a Professional? Beginning genealogists often believe that […]