Researching Your African-American Roots
Condensed from a presentation made by Sylvia Polk-Burriss during Black History Month at the National Association of Social Workers
Neither the vast power of slavery nor its legacy of racism could quench the thirst for freedom or the struggle of black families for knowledge of their history... Thus genealogy and history, in the passing of family ancestries and histories from one generation to the next (most often by word of mouth) have been a central concern of black Americans throughout their existence.
Charles L. Blockson
The African-American's history in the United States began way before they came to America. Our history began in Africa, the cradle of civilization where we were a spiritual, educated, family-centered, cultured race. The first Africans to arrive in America did not come as slaves as many believe but as indentured servants who were required to work for a specified number of years in payment for their passage. Once the "work contract" had been fulfilled they became full citizens with the right to own land and vote. The importance of African-Americans researching their ancestry cannot be over-emphasized. Our ancestors' spiritual beliefs, family values and morals were passed to their children, who passed them to their children, and on down through the generations and forms the foundation of where we are and where we want to go. Most African-Americans, regardless of whether their ancestors were free or slave, can usually trace their ancestors back to the end of the Civil War without much difficulty through the use of oral history, which is a strong tradition in African-American culture.
Following are the basic steps used in genealogical research, whether for African-Americans or other ethnic groups.
STEP ONE -- GATHER INFORMATION
Genealogical information can be found in many different places -- the family home, public records, private collections, university and college libraries, historical and genealogical societies. Oral history will provide valuable clues.
STEP TWO - COMPLETE A FAMILY ANCESTOR CHART
The Family Tree Chart (Ancestor/Pedigree Chart) contains basic information on your direct line of ancestors: yourself, your parents, grandparents, great grandparents, etc. The Family Tree Chart provides an overview of one's ancestry and as you work backwards one generation at a time, you double the number of ancestors.
STEP THREE - COMPLETE FAMILY GROUP RECORD SHEETS
Family Group Record Sheets should be completed for individual family groups. The Family Group Record lists a father, mother and their children. A family group sheet should be completed whether the father and mother were married or not. If a second union occurred, complete a second Family Group Record Sheet for that union.
STEP FOUR - USE A RESEARCH LOG
The research log helps in keeping track of information that you need to locate on your family members. The log also tracks the sources you have already utilized and helps to avoid duplication of research.
STEP FIVE - SEARCH FEDERAL CENSUS RECORDS
The federal census records are one of the most used resources for genealogists. The federal census is compiled every 10 years by the federal government with the first census being completed in 1790. Census records from 1790 to 1920, except for 1890 records that were destroyed in a fire, are available for use by the general public. Information that can be obtained from the census records varies depending on the year the census was completed. Censuses are kept sealed for a period of 75 years following their completion date to protect the privacy of persons listed in the census schedule.
STEP SIX - SEARCH STATE AND COUNTY RECORDS
State and county records are valuable genealogical resources. Records available in the county courthouse include: birth, marriage, or death records, deed records, land records, tax lists, city directories, voter registrations, Registers of free Negroes, civil court records, criminal court records, coroner records, and probate records such as wills, manumissions, estate papers, and administrations. Even if a person lived in a county for just a few years, there is a good chance that that person's name is written down in a courthouse record of some kind.
STEP SEVEN - JOIN A GENEALOGICAL ORGANIZATION
Join a genealogical organization like the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) to take advantage of networking opportunities. AAHGS is a national organization committed to uncovering and promoting the research study and publication of the history and genealogy of African Americans. The Society has four chapters are located within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area - James Dent Walker, Prince Georges County, Central Maryland, and Baltimore.
Researching your genealogy and family history makes history come alive as you unearth the stories and contributions made by your ancestors to America's history. Each family has a unique history that once uncovered should be shared with young and old alike. Uncovering your family's history is the beginning of a journey into the past.
The author
Sylvia Polk-Burriss was employed with NASW for 9 years as a Legal Assistant in the Office of General Counsel. She as served as National Vice-President of Genealogy for the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) and the co-developer of the AAHGS genealogy program for children. She is a member of the following organizations: The National Genealogical Society, the Historical Society of Washington County (VA) and the Holston Territorial Society.
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