African American Track

African American research presents a host of unique challenges. Topics in this track show how and where to find valuable resources that include cemeteries, slave records, the Freedmen Bureau, the Southern Claims Commission, and more. See all tracks and learn more about speakers on our website. Register online now!

Friday, 9:30 a.m. – Who Is the Slave Bacchus? A Life Revealed in Manuscripts, Sharon Gillins

Private and hidden manuscript collections are of immense value of to slave-era African American family history research. This presentation prepares researchers to undertake the difficult task of seeking out private manuscripts as demonstrated in the case study of Bacchus, a native of Essex County, Virginia. Born into slavery in 1796, Bacchus lived a long life under unique, perplexing, and sometimes difficult circumstances. (All)

Friday, 11:00 a.m. – Segregated in Death – Black Cemeteries in the South, Janice Lovelace

Segregation extended into death for African Americans. What led to the development of separate funeral homes and burial grounds, especially in the southern U.S.? This presentation also looks at examples of different death practices into the twentieth century. (Intermediate)

Saturday, 9:30 a.m. – Looking for My Babies: Freedmen Searching for Family, Ari Wilkins

Countless African American families experienced the traumatic displacement and loss of family members during slavery. In the wake of Emancipation, African Americans from all over the country desperately searched for their missing family members, using such resources as the Freedmen’s Bureau and newspapers.

Saturday, 3:30 p.m. – Freedmen in the Southern Claims Commission – Filing, Testifying, Being, Sharon Gillins

After the Civil War ended, the Federal Government formed the Southern Claims Commission to provide a mechanism of redress for those who gave or lost property to the Union during the war. More than 220,000 people provided testimony in the claims, including former slaves and free people of color. Discover this vast amount of historical and genealogical information, often in first-person narratives. (Intermediate)

Sunday, 9:30 a.m. – African Americans in the Military – 18th to 20th Century, Janice Lovelace

African Americans served in every war starting with the Revolutionary War in 18th century although segregation impacted their roles. What was it like to be an African American soldier before the Executive Order of 1948 integrating the military? What part did African American women play in military? (Beginner, Intermediate)

Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – Slaves + Insurance = Rich Records, Diane L. Richard

Once upon a time slaves were insured. Though it’s hard for us to fathom the concept, these records provide detailed information about named slaves who were insured by a certain individual on a specific plantation. Insurance records provide invaluable information when seeking out hard-to-find ancestors who were slaves or wanting to learn more about your slave-holding ancestor. (Intermediate, Advanced)