Research on formerly enslaved people is difficult by its very nature because enslaved people were classed as property prior to the Civil War and faced the challenges of marginalization in the segregated society that developed after the War. Crucial to uncovering information on enslaved people prior to emancipation is studying their lives as freedpeople after for clues as to who their families were and who their former owners might have been. As with any family, clues regarding identity, relationships, and ownership during slavery, are often uncovered as the result of applying the FAN principle and piecing together potential family groups.
This engaging webinar, part of the 2025 Reisinger Lecture Series, features genealogist and historian Jari Honora, whose presentation, “Assembling Indirect Evidence to Locate the Family and Last Enslaver of Freedman Arthur Braud,” demonstrates the power of meticulous, evidence-based research in uncovering African American and Creole family histories. Drawing from his extensive work in Louisiana’s historic and genealogical archives, Honora illustrates how to reconstruct lives obscured by slavery, fragmented records, and evolving cultural identity. His case study of Arthur Braud—born enslaved in 1840s Louisiana and later a prominent member of Klotzville’s Creole community—serves as a compelling example of how indirect evidence, contextual understanding, and the FAN principle (Family, Associates, Neighbors) can illuminate forgotten ancestry.
Key Takeaways:
Mastering Indirect Evidence: Honora emphasizes how genealogists can weave together clues from scattered records—baptismal entries, property transactions, and census data—to establish identity and kinship when direct documentation is missing. His reconstruction of Braud’s lineage shows the importance of persistence, pattern recognition, and correlation over time.
Cultural and Historical Context as a Research Tool: Understanding Louisiana’s Creole heritage, Catholic recordkeeping, and fluid surname conventions proved essential to resolving Braud’s parentage. Honora explains how linguistic, ethnic, and religious nuances can provide critical interpretive context, particularly when researching enslaved and free people of color.
FAN Club Methodology in Action: By systematically analyzing Braud’s community network—his children’s baptismal sponsors, neighbors, and associates—Honora reveals connections to the Dominique, François, and Levember families, ultimately tracing Braud’s mother to Manon, an enslaved woman owned by Sarazin Marois. This method exemplifies best practices in advanced genealogical problem-solving.
Honora’s research culminates in a moving discovery linking his own ancestry to the Braud family—an illustration of how rigorous methodology can intersect with personal heritage. His discussion of evolving surname patterns, the use of Catholic sacramental records, and the Diocese of Baton Rouge’s efforts to include individuals once omitted from historical indexes underscores the evolving inclusivity of genealogical scholarship.
To experience the full depth of Honora’s methods and the fascinating historical revelations they uncover, viewers are encouraged to watch the complete webinar. It offers a masterclass in the creative and ethical reconstruction of lives erased from traditional records. Genealogists are also invited to explore the syllabus and supplemental resources, which include recommended readings, archival sources, and regional studies—essential tools for anyone researching Creole, African American, or Louisiana heritage.
Facebook
X
Syllabus
This was my first webinar and it was informative. I look forward to attending more.
Thank you to Jari Honora for a fascinating webinar on piecing together various evidence from a variety of sources, most I didn’t know about, to sort out the FAN club of Arthur Braud and his family in Louisiana, USA. I always learn something new & valuable when watching these webinar; well worth the yearly subscription!
While I’ve never personally done any research involving the Catholic records in French in Louisiana, they look very familiar to me given the high degree of similarity to the Catholic records in French in Quebec, where my grandfather and both of his parents were born.
I like his positive attitude in finding these records. His use and explanation of charts is very helpful to me. Thank you.
Wow. Skillfully weaving a path through a confusing set of data-points to arrive at an answer to the research question. But my head is spinning – I’ll want to watch this one again.
Extraordinary! Mr. Honora inspired me tremendously! His research on these families proved to me that I can most likely find what I am looking for!
Interesting to hear about the Louisiana/Creole/French culture and traditions.
Fascinating study & useful tips for genealogy research with indirect evidence.