Introduction to African-American Genealogy
Six steps for tracing your African American roots from the present back to Africa, plus suggestions for record sources you may not have tried. African American Family Research
This three part series by Roseann Reinemuth Hogan, Ph.D., is an excellent guide to basic and general African American research techniques. Part 3 even offers case studies to illustrate useful resources in building an African American family history.
Building Blocks of African American Genealogy
Tracing your African American genealogy? Expert Tony Burroughs' 6-step plan can help you get started. The Challenge of African American Research
Curt B Witcher, head of the Historical Genealogy Department of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana, offers a variety of tips and resources for advancing your African American ancestry search. Family History & Ethnic Genealogy
This is the Forward, written by Alex Haley of Roots to the book Family History & Ethnic Genealogy. While not dealing specifically with African American genealogy, it does discuss the joys and importance of researching your ethnic family history. Free African Americans of North Carolina & Virginia
This is the introduction to a book by Paul Heinegg and offers an interesting look at African-American life during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. The Southern Claims Commission
Excerpted from his article in the National Archives' Prologue, Reginald Washington examines the Southern Claims Commission—a resource for African American research that chronicles the events of post-Civil War property compensation for emancipated slaves and others. The Freedman's Savings & Trust Company
Among the most underused bodies of federal records useful for African American genealogical research are the records of the Freedman's Savings and Trust Company. This article by Reginald Washington originally appeared in Prologue: Quarterly of the National Archives and Records Administration Summer 1997, vol. 29, no. 2. Obituaries for African Americans
An excellent article by Tony Burroughs which covers the many sources of African American obituaries, including many published resources. Tracing Your African-American Roots
This article by Shirley Hogan from Heritage Quest discusses how to get started with your African American research. Tracing Your Slave Ancestors
Tips for using the 1870 census to track your slave ancestors. From Family Tree Magazine. The Transition From Slavery to Freedom
At the time of the Civil War, the vast majority of African Americans were, of course, slaves. The researcher of slave genealogy, therefore, must know the identity of a slave's owner in order to research the slave.
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