What exactly are the 1850 and 1860 United States Slave Schedules and what is their value to researchers? A closer look at this enumeration of “slave inhabitants” will streamline interpretation of these records and will help define the do’s and don’ts of working with them.
Renate Yarborough Sanders is the descendant of formerly enslaved ancestors, enslavers, and free people of color. She authors two blogs: “Into the LIGHT” and “Genea-Related;” and produces a “(Mostly) African-American Funeral Programs” online databa
Thank you, Renate, for a very informative and easily-understandable presentation. Your visuals were on point and clearly demonstrated your lecture content. I learned so much and I now look forward to reviewing Slave Schedules in the course of my research. How fortunate to be able to add names to a “faceless” enumeration! I am thankful that you were so blessed. I trust and respect your research methods and I will heed your advice about identifying ancestors on the schedules or other non-explicit records. I love my ancestors and I seek their guidance as I do my family research so the last thing I want to do is to dishonor them by spreading inaccurate information. You are a wonderful inspiration and teacher — thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience so the rest of us can become confident researchers. May you continue to be blessed in all your endeavors!
Thank you so much for this amazing comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the webinar. Best wishes in your research!
Renate
DR
Deborah Robinson
6 months ago
Thank you Renate! This webinar was nothing less than phenomenal. You provided a blueprint for how one might provide names to those dreaded tick marks! Excellent work.
Good stuff – yummy! Thanks Renate. Great information about the 1850 and 1860 Slave Schedules that is very useful when researching enslaved ancestors and their enslavers. Thanks for sharing the new FamilySearch feature that allows us to enter the name of our enslaved ancestor on the slave schedules. This is remarkable!
Freedom Bound: Escaping Bondage for Life in the North
Before 1865, free blacks, as well as runaway and emancipated slaves, migrated or escaped to northern states (and Canada), hoping for a “better life” with more opportunities. In this presentation, we explore some of the reasons for this movement and review some of the many helpful records left by these antebellum northern migrants.
Before 1865, free blacks, as well as runaway and emancipated slaves, migrated or escaped to northern states (and Canada), hoping for a “better life” with more opportunities. In this presentation, we explore some of the reasons for this movement and review some of the many helpful records left by these antebellum northern migrants.
“We Were Supposed To Be Neals:“ Reconstructing an Enslaved Family Using DNA
Using DNA analysis, combined with documentary research and with only one hint of family lore, the presenter has found the family of her enslaved great-grandfather.
Using DNA analysis, combined with documentary research and with only one hint of family lore, the presenter has found the family of her enslaved great-grandfather.
In Their Own Words: Genealogy in the Slave Narratives
Uncovering the genealogy of the formerly enslaved can be challenging; but, sometimes, the information is left in first-hand accounts, commonly known as "Slave Narratives.” From books, to projects set up to learn about life during slavery, researchers can find an abundance of genealogical and other information about enslaved families, their…
Uncovering the genealogy of the formerly enslaved can be challenging; but, sometimes, the information is left in first-hand accounts, commonly known as "Slave Narratives.” From books, to projects set up to learn about life during slavery, researchers can find an abundance of genealogical and other information about enslaved families, their…
Finding Calvin: Following My Enslaved Ancestor Through Multiple Owners – A Case Study
In this presentation, Renate models the research process of verifying that her great-grandfather was enslaved, and shares the methodology and documents used to document his owners during 25 years of enslavement. Presented as a case study.
In this presentation, Renate models the research process of verifying that her great-grandfather was enslaved, and shares the methodology and documents used to document his owners during 25 years of enslavement. Presented as a case study.
Using Negative Evidence: The Power of Silence in the Records
Can genealogists take a negative (the absence of something) and develop it into a positive (proof of something)? Yes! If we understand what we’re working with and how to develop it. Negative evidence is a tool used by many investigative fields; but its definition varies between disciplines. This session defines the concept used by genealogists and historians: contextually suggestive silence. In layman’s language, Mills clearly separates negative evidence from concepts that are often confused with it: negative searches, negative findings, negative arguments, and negative conclusions. Case studies using autosomal and Y-DNA, censuses, church records, death certificates, land deeds and grants, topo maps, and other source types to demonstrate how to recognize contextually suggestive silence and develop it into solutions for situations in which no document explicitly answers our research question.
*** This class requires a password and an active webinar membership to attend. On the day of the webinar, obtain the password (located at the top of FamilyTreeWebinars.com when logged in as a member). Then click the Join Webinar link in your confirmation/reminder email, and enter the password when prompted. ***
Can genealogists take a negative (the absence of something) and develop it into a positive (proof of something)? Yes! If we understand what we’re working with and how to develop it. Negative evidence is a tool used by many investigative fields; but its definition varies between disciplines. This session defines the concept used by genealogists and historians: contextually suggestive silence. In layman’s language, Mills clearly separates negative evidence from concepts that are often confused with it: negative searches, negative findings, negative arguments, and negative conclusions. Case studies using autosomal and Y-DNA, censuses, church records, death certificates, land deeds and grants, topo maps, and other source types to demonstrate how to recognize contextually suggestive silence and develop it into solutions for situations in which no document explicitly answers our research question.
*** This class requires a password and an active webinar membership to attend. On the day of the webinar, obtain the password (located at the top of FamilyTreeWebinars.com when logged in as a member). Then click the Join Webinar link in your confirmation/reminder email, and enter the password when prompted. ***
Discover how DNA, online and offline genealogy converged to break down a more than 100 year old brick wall revealing the life, times, and relations of a mysterious multi-ethnic man named John Lee.
Discover how DNA, online and offline genealogy converged to break down a more than 100 year old brick wall revealing the life, times, and relations of a mysterious multi-ethnic man named John Lee.
With the 1931 Canada census finally released to the public on June 1, 2023, a new window into the lives of ancestors who lived in Canada in the early 20th century is being thrown open! This census offers a snapshot of Canada at a fascinating and difficult historical period, a few years into the Great Depression. Join us for a deep dive into this long-awaited collection and discover what you can learn about your ancestors living in Canada during this time.
With the 1931 Canada census finally released to the public on June 1, 2023, a new window into the lives of ancestors who lived in Canada in the early 20th century is being thrown open! This census offers a snapshot of Canada at a fascinating and difficult historical period, a few years into the Great Depression. Join us for a deep dive into this long-awaited collection and discover what you can learn about your ancestors living in Canada during this time.
Following Oral History in search of William Davis but finding Mildred Brand: A Case Study
A researcher’s number one goal is to find ancestors for their client or their own family and share their story. Within the story oral history is followed, critical records and resources will be discovered which helped guide the research. This session will take attendees through the challenges, successes, and the continued unanswered questions of researching an African American family from enslavement to freedom through the states of VA, PA, OH, and MI.
A researcher’s number one goal is to find ancestors for their client or their own family and share their story. Within the story oral history is followed, critical records and resources will be discovered which helped guide the research. This session will take attendees through the challenges, successes, and the continued unanswered questions of researching an African American family from enslavement to freedom through the states of VA, PA, OH, and MI.
Witnesses are not afterthoughts tacked onto the end of documents. Although they filled a routine role for our ancestors, they are significant informants for us—once we learn how to use those names to develop evidence. This session approaches the topic in two ways: theory and application. It explores record types that offer witnesses, ways in which witnesses were used, situations that affected the choice of witnesses, signals that indicate whether a witness would be important to our research, and methods to apply in our development of the clues they offer. A challenging case study presents an unmarried freedwoman, never named in any census, who died about 1817—and applies key strategies to determine her death and burial sites.
Witnesses are not afterthoughts tacked onto the end of documents. Although they filled a routine role for our ancestors, they are significant informants for us—once we learn how to use those names to develop evidence. This session approaches the topic in two ways: theory and application. It explores record types that offer witnesses, ways in which witnesses were used, situations that affected the choice of witnesses, signals that indicate whether a witness would be important to our research, and methods to apply in our development of the clues they offer. A challenging case study presents an unmarried freedwoman, never named in any census, who died about 1817—and applies key strategies to determine her death and burial sites.
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Fabulous!
Thank you, Renate, for a very informative and easily-understandable presentation. Your visuals were on point and clearly demonstrated your lecture content. I learned so much and I now look forward to reviewing Slave Schedules in the course of my research. How fortunate to be able to add names to a “faceless” enumeration! I am thankful that you were so blessed. I trust and respect your research methods and I will heed your advice about identifying ancestors on the schedules or other non-explicit records. I love my ancestors and I seek their guidance as I do my family research so the last thing I want to do is to dishonor them by spreading inaccurate information. You are a wonderful inspiration and teacher — thank you for sharing your wisdom and experience so the rest of us can become confident researchers. May you continue to be blessed in all your endeavors!
Thank you so much for this amazing comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the webinar. Best wishes in your research!
Renate
Thank you Renate! This webinar was nothing less than phenomenal. You provided a blueprint for how one might provide names to those dreaded tick marks! Excellent work.
Thank you!
Oh, Renate! This presentation has brought me tears! Amazing work, as always! Thank you!
Excellent and informative presentation!
Good stuff – yummy! Thanks Renate. Great information about the 1850 and 1860 Slave Schedules that is very useful when researching enslaved ancestors and their enslavers. Thanks for sharing the new FamilySearch feature that allows us to enter the name of our enslaved ancestor on the slave schedules. This is remarkable!
Awesome Renate.
Just absolutely excellent! Great information, especially about the changes for FamilySearch. Thanks very much.