Strategies and Techniques: Reconstructing an African American Family from Freedom to Slavery, Deborah L. Abbott, PhD
This presentation is designed to share the methodology used throughout the research process to reconstruct the ancestry and migration of an African American family from freedom to slavery. Emphases will be placed on strategies, organizational skills, and the importance of carefully analyzing various documents and where to find them. You will learn how using collateral and cluster line research as well as understanding the history of the area where your ancestors lived will help to overcome the 1870 brick wall. | TxSGS Live!; Intermediate
Colored News, Diane L. Richard, MEng, MBA
For decades most “news” about African Americans was not published in African American newspapers and in so-called “white” newspapers either as short sensational news articles, runaway slave advertisements, finding lost family notices, or in dedicated regular columns. The community-focused columns are full of names, entities, events/activities, and FAN context. Not just southern newspapers published these columns. Though, only a small percentage of newspapers included such a column, and it is sometimes challenging to identify the existence of these columns, once found, priceless information is discovered. | On-Demand; Intermediate, Advanced
Records of the Freedmen’s Bureau – There’s Something for Everyone!, Renate Yarborough Sanders
The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, aka “The Freedmen’s Bureau,” was established after the Civil War to assist in the reconstruction of southern states, with the goal of providing food, shelter, clothing, medical services, and land to displaced Southerners, including – but not limited to – newly freed African Americans. The agency created many records related to the formerly enslaved; however, the span of these documents is much wider than often realized. Records related to enslavers and their families, business and governmental entities, schools, churches, and even employees of the Bureau will be shared in this eye-opening presentation. | On-Demand; All Levels
Southern African American Cemeteries: An Underutilized Resource, Franklin Smith
Early southern African American cemeteries reflect the local historical makeup of their surrounding communities. Learn tips and strategies on how to use information found in this underutilized resource to determine possible enslavement era and post-Civil War community relationships, family connections and suggestions for possible slaveholder candidates. | On-Demand; All Levels
We Were Supposed to be NEALS: Reuniting Family with DNA, Renate Yarborough Sanders
After 25 years of researching an enslaved ancestor of unknown parentage, DNA breaks the case and helps to put a splintered family back together. In this case study, learn how the presenter was able to identify and work with a particular set of DNA matches, and then apply traditional genealogy research techniques and methodology, to find her ancestor’s parents and siblings and to connect with living descendants. | TxSGS Live!, All Levels