Help at Ancestry
The Challenge of African American Research
Conducting successful African
American genealogical research can be a challenging adventure. In
recent years, the challenge has been lessened and the adventure
heightened by the growing body of publications relating to this
ethnic group. Special-interest groups and genealogical societies
nationwide are publishing key guides, new bibliographies, and
important how-to books. Before delving into published sources,
however, it is always important to pause long enough to organize
one’s own personal papers and review standard research methodology.
African American Research, Part 1
African American Research, Part 2
African American Research, Part 3: Case Studies
Searching for African American
families involves two distinct research approaches. These approaches
correspond to the distinct change in the legal status of African
Americans in the United States before and after the Civil War.
Genealogical techniques used to track slave families before the war
are necessarily quite different than those used for white or free
African Americans; however, research conducted on African Americans
after the war usually involves the same types of records as those
used for whites.
African American Genealogy Program at Indiana Historical Society
Internationally known genealogist
Tony Burroughs will present a lecture titled "Black Roots: A
Beginner's Guide to Tracing the African American Family Tree" at the
Indiana Historical Society on February 10, from 1–4 p.m. The
program, cosponsored by the IHS and the Indiana African American
Genealogy Group, will discuss conducting African American family
history research. IHS Program Archivist Wilma Gibbs will present a
discussion on research resources available at the IHS and other
repositories.
Finding Your African American Ancestors: A BeginnerÆs Guide
Few areas of American genealogy
pose as much challenge as the search for African American ancestry
prior to the Civil War. Notwithstanding the inherent difficulties,
there are few areas that contain as much unrealized potential.
Despite great strides within the last two decades, the basic
outlines of the field are only now being clarified. While the
difficulties of African American genealogical research are not to be
discounted, these difficulties are not always insurmountable.
Celebrating African American Family History
February is Black History Month in
the United States. If you have Black American ancestry, you might
want to begin tracing your family tree this month while many museums
and archives have special exhibits to mark the month.