Southern Ancestors…Black and White…in the Freedmen’s Bureau

Sharon Batiste Gillins
Jun 25, 2025
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Content

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Welcome
1m 34s
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Speaker's Introduction
1m 36s
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Introduction
9m 16s
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Know the Records
12m 43s
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Specify Your Research Goal
7m 24s
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Confiscated Land Records
8m 35s
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Registers of Refugees & Black Persons
11m 53s
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Trimonthly Reports
9m 21s
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Locate District & Field Offices
4m 12s
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Announcements / prizes
7m 14s
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Questions / answers
17m 06s

About this webinar

Explore the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands to discover details of the Reconstruction lives of black freedmen and free people of color as well as white farmers and wealthy planters.

Discount code: freedmen25 (valid at Familytreewebinars.com)

Valid through: July 1, 2025

About the speaker

About the speaker

Sharon Batiste Gillins is a native of Galveston, Texas with paternal ancestral roots in St. Mary Parish, Louisiana and maternal roots in Fort Bend County, Texas. She is a passionate family history researcher who has been actively involved in genea
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Key points and insights

Delving into the often-underutilized records of the Freedmen’s Bureau, genealogist Sharon Batiste Gillins delivers a compelling and informative webinar that highlights the extraordinary genealogical potential within this post-Civil War archive. With deep expertise in African American history and southern records, Gillins guides researchers—regardless of race—through the Bureau’s vast and complex collections, revealing how these documents illuminate the lives of both formerly enslaved individuals and their white counterparts during Reconstruction. Her detailed examples, primarily drawn from Louisiana, showcase how these records can reconstruct communities, identify ancestors, and shed light on a transformative era in American history.

Key Takeaways:

  • A Resource for All Southern Ancestors: The Freedmen’s Bureau, officially the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, was created to assist not only formerly enslaved individuals but also white refugees and landowners impacted by the Civil War. The resulting records include rich documentation on individuals from all walks of life, making it a valuable tool for anyone researching southern ancestry during the Reconstruction era.

  • Multiple Record Types, Rich Context: The Bureau generated an array of detailed documents—labor contracts, education reports, ration applications, plantation inspections, orphan indentures, and more. These records can reveal family structures, economic conditions, work agreements, and even personal narratives of hardship or conflict. Importantly, they often list both Black and white individuals side-by-side, providing a holistic view of southern communities.

  • Strategies for Effective Research: Gillins emphasizes a targeted approach when using Freedmen’s Bureau records. Understanding the bureaucratic structure—headquarters, state offices, sub-districts, and local field offices—is crucial. She recommends using descriptive pamphlets and tools like the Smithsonian’s SOVA database to locate specific record sets aligned with clearly defined research goals.

Interested in uncovering your southern ancestors’ lives during Reconstruction? This webinar is an invaluable resource for genealogists looking to move beyond the 1870 census or add depth to their family stories. By viewing the full presentation, you’ll gain practical guidance on navigating the Bureau’s complex records and uncovering the human stories within.

Don’t forget to explore the syllabus accompanying the webinar—it includes research strategies, resource links, and tips that can guide your next steps. Whether you’re tracing African American heritage, white southern lineage, or building a community profile, the Freedmen’s Bureau records offer an unparalleled window into the past. Dive in and start discovering.

Comments (66)

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  1. SR
    Sonia Reid
    1 day ago

    Excellent presentation full of lots of information, examples and strategies very easy to follow for researching your American ancestors via the Freemen Bureau

    Reply
  2. MT
    MARTINA TAYLOR
    1 day ago

    Learned so much. I wasn’t aware that the Freedman’s Records were so full of information and for more than the formerly enslaved.

    Reply
  3. PG
    Perry Grissom
    1 day ago

    I’ve never explored this data set before. There is a lot of potential!

    Reply
  4. LM
    LaJoy Mosby
    1 day ago

    This presentation has been extremely helpful. Excellent presentation as usual Sharon! I will watch it again!

    Reply
  5. TH
    Tori Hamilton
    1 day ago

    One of the best webinars I’ve ever attended, Sharon provided a wealth of information and helped to empower me to navigate the Freedmen’s Bureau records to finally be able to find my family’s rich ancestral treasures. Wonderful presentation.

    Reply
  6. LD
    LaVette Dudley
    1 day ago

    I’ve attempted to research Freedmen’s records a few times and did not have a clue how or where to start. It was overwhelming. Now, I’m looking forward to using the tools you’ve provided in my future research of these records. Thank you, Sharon Baptiste Gillis, for this very informative and useful presentation.

    Reply
  7. GW
    George Wilson
    1 day ago

    Information and presenter was excellent.

    Reply
  8. BA
    Beverly Anderson
    1 day ago

    SUPERB!!

    Reply

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