African-American Research Site

There all types of ethnic and racial groups and many different web sites to assist individuals interested in a specific group. The site AfriGeneas made it their mission to provide as many resources to people searching their African-American ancestry.

The assistance they offer features a searchable database of surnames. This easy engine search allows you place just a single spelling of a surname or use the ‘%’ symbol denoting a wildcard search when you are unsure of a name’s spelling. A state’s name location can also be added. This database is based on over 50,000 registered surname entries submitted. If a match is located, one click on the name will provide the email address of the individual researcher for that surname who submitted it.

Another database are contributed death records and notices, numbering approximately 16,000 names. Place the surname or full name, a location and any results produced will given the transcribed obituary or death notice along with the email address of the contributor. The same procedure can be done searching for marriage and census records.

An interesting database is the ‘Slave Data Collection’. This assemblage of Bible records, slave ship manifest, Wills, plantation records, tax records, slave sales, church records, court records and inventories helps put the listings of slaveholders and the slaves together. Not only is information helpful for the descendants of slaves, but also those descendants of slaveholders. The earliest period covered so far are a listing of slaves belonging to William Sanders and dating to 1773.

The Library Collection contains printed articles and papers; city directories; birth, marriage and death records for certain locations, such as Calhoun County in Alabama for 1870; family histories; yearbooks and slave records. These sections are always having new data added.

For finding state resources there is a location listing a particular state or region and who to contact that is hosting that place. To help keep up with the latest information and advice there are forums and chat room sections where other individuals can share information.