Black and White Southern Families in Southern Plantation Records

Overcoming the 1870 brick wall in African American genealogy is challenging, but possible. This session presents a clear, step-by-step roadmap for tracing formerly enslaved ancestors using the Genealogical Proof Method. Learn how to reconstruct the freedmen generation, identify potential enslavers, and mine enslaver records for hidden ancestral clues. We’ll explore records on Ancestry and FamilySearch, including census and vital records, Freedmen’s Bureau files, cohabitation records, and estate records. If you're ready to move beyond 1870 and build a fuller picture of your family’s past, this webinar will equip you with the tools and confidence to begin.

The history of slavery in America left families divided but also deeply connected through records, land, and often bloodlines. Today, descendants of both the enslaved and the enslavers are uncovering those connections through genealogy and asking what they mean for the present. This panel brings together genealogists and descendants to share how these discoveries were made, what it looks like to begin a conversation across that divide, and how stories can be told with honesty, respect, and care. Attendees will learn how to: 1-Identify the record groups that connect enslaved and enslaver families, 2-Understand the challenges and opportunities of descendant dialogue, 3-Approach this history with sensitivity while documenting it accurately.

One of the most challenging issues that presents itself when researching Afro-American and Afro-Caribbean families is the lack of information about their migration history. This may involve the movement of one family member, an entire family, or groups of emigrants. Being aware of the major migrations that have occurred over time in the Black Diaspora is crucial, as it can help break down a family's genealogical brick wall. This presentation will identify ten significant migrations that researchers should be aware of when studying the Black experience worldwide.

African American research can be especially challenging for many reasons. This class will demonstrate sound methodology for tracing your African American ancestors by following the Todd family in a case study.