Breaking the 1870 Brick Wall: Comprehensive Strategies for Tracing Formerly Enslaved African American Ancestors

The Antebellum Southern Plantation Records can offer multifaceted views into many white and African American Southern families. This resource documents families' personal and business correspondence, conditions of plantation life (including the elusive names of slaves and descriptions of slave relationships), and much more. Learn about the genealogical value of the Southern Antebellum Plantation Records - how they are organized, how to search the collection, and apply it towards your genealogical research. The case studies will highlight the personal documents of a white Southern family and the indirect documentation of an African American family.

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.