The Names of 1.8 Million Emancipated Slaves Are Now Searchable

[NoMoreWhiteWoman2020]

Yeah, it's better than Ancestry in my opinion. And once you know how to search and tricks/tips to know where to look - it gets better.

I work on my family tree almost every weekend - and this weekend I found another paternal 3rd Great Grandfather.

He is the 5th GGrandfather I have found that was enlisted and fought in the United States Colored Troops (USCT). https://www.thecoli.com/threads/the...oops-usct-who-fought-in-the-civil-war.564130/

He also received a pension for his USCT service - which is the first for me in my genealogy search. The four other GF ancestors who fought in the USCT ever received a pension.

I am trying to find out how many of the enslaved men who fought in the USCT got to different states to enlist. For instance he was in Alabama, enlisted in Missouri. I have NO clue how he got to Missouri. I know during that time it was easier to leave the area and get to Union lines - but still.

Organized March 11, 1864, from 1st Mississippi Infantry Colored. Attached to Post of Goodrich Landing, District of Vicksburg, Miss., to December, 1864. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, United States Colored Troops, District of Vicksburg, Miss., to February, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, Steele's Command, Military District of West Mississippi, to June, 1865. Dept. of the Gulf to June, 1866.

SERVICE.--At Lake Providence until May, 1864. Post and garrison duty at Goodrich Landing, La., until December, 1864. Action at Langley's Plantation, Issaqueena County, March 22, 1864. Flod, La., July 2. Waterford August 16-17. Duty at Vicksburg, Miss., until February, 1865. Moved to Algiers, La., February 26; thence to Barrancas, Fla. March from Pensacola, Fla., to Blakely, Ala., March 20-April 1. Siege of Fort Blakely April 1-9. Assault and capture of Fort Blakely April 9. Occupation of Mobile April 12. March to Montgomery April 13-25. Duty there and at Mobile until June. Ordered to New Orleans, thence to Texas. Duty on the Rio Grande and at various points in Texas until June, 1866. Mustered out June 16, 1866. 51st U.S. Colored Troops Infantry​

BTW: if anyone has an ancestor who fought in the USCT - please make sure to check Pension records: USCT Pension Files: A Rich Resource for African American Genealogy | IAAM Center for Family History

I also found my paternal 3rd Great Grannie's brother. I verified another set of African 4th Great Grandparents - which for my maternal side hasn't happened yet -- but my paternal I have a few sets of African 3rd and 4th Great Grandparents.

Fun fact- Ft Blakely was the last battle of the civil war, and he also was in Mobile. It’s a good chance he might have interacted with the free people of the Clotilda who had just landed.

 

[GoAggieGo.]

Y’all talk to your people as well. While you may have some of your elders who are reluctant to speak on the past, you’ll be surprised at how many want to discuss it.

My grandmother just recently revealed to me how my great grandpa was a Tuskegee airman. After all that, he settled in Bennetsville, SC. My grandmother was telling me all this, and it brought me back to childhood when my siblings and I used to ride with her to church and she’d load us all in the car and be telling us stories on the way.

I’ve learned so much during all of this, and I’m thankful and happy to see so many of us taking interest. Our culture and history is rich.

 

[xoxodede]

Fun fact- Ft Blakely was the last battle of the civil war, and he also was in Mobile. It’s a good chance he might have interacted with the free people of the Clotilda who had just landed.

Thanks for that.

And...that's pretty wonderful.

I need to learn more about CW battles - I have never been that interested in them like that. But, I know it will help me understand and appreciate their service and sacrifice even more.

But, Mobile and Montgomery was heavily African back then. Even before Clotilda - many of the residents were children of as they say "fresh of the boat" Africans or were newly enslaved Africans who were transported to that area due to illegal importation/illegal slave trade.

 

[GoAggieGo.]

My family on my pops side has a family cemetery. When my sister passed, she was buried there. This past Christmas I was in town, and took a pen and pad out there and just started writing names down. My baby bro and I want to create a huge family tree, and try to get in touch with as many ppl as we can that’s family. Sadly, we just realized we had a few family members from Columbus, MS in the Mississippi jail system. Bro wanted to send them a kite to let them know that fam is still thinking about them, and to let them know we want to link up when they get off the jail plantation

 

[xoxodede]

My family on my pops side has a family cemetery. When my sister passed, she was buried there. This past Christmas I was in town, and took a pen and pad out there and just started writing names down. My baby bro and I want to create a huge family tree, and try to get in touch with as many ppl as we can that’s family. Sadly, we just realized we had a few family members from Columbus, MS in the Mississippi jail system. Bro wanted to send them a kite to let them know that fam is still thinking about them, and to let them know we want to link up when they get off the jail plantation

I need to do the same. I did for one of ours -- but I need to do it for my paternal side. It's two family cemeteries that are in bad condition - that I plan on going to this summer to help clean up and manicure.

But, when you do make sure you update the info to FindAGrave.Com -- it's will help your family members who come behind you find where your ancestors are buried. Make sure the cemetery is added and add their names, info and (if you want too) grave site pictures.

 

[CBalla]

found records that went back to the late 1400s
but they was french/belgium folks
all my native americans wasnt found
rapist great great grandmaw wasnt found
lotta dead ends around the late 1800s

 

[xoxodede]

Y’all talk to your people as well. While you may have some of your elders who are reluctant to speak on the past, you’ll be surprised at how many want to discuss it.

My grandmother just recently revealed to me how my great grandpa was a Tuskegee airman. After all that, he settled in Bennetsville, SC. My grandmother was telling me all this, and it brought me back to childhood when my siblings and I used to ride with her to church and she’d load us all in the car and be telling us stories on the way.

I’ve learned so much during all of this, and I’m thankful and happy to see so many of us taking interest. Our culture and history is rich.

Get his records and medals! They also more than likely has his official Airman pics. You can request them. That would be such a beautiful thing for you and your family.

https://www.archives.gov/files/publications/ref-info-papers/rip109.pdf

9 tips on obtaining missing military records (and awards) for you or a loved one

 

[xoxodede]

found records that went back to the late 1400s
but they was french/belgium folks
all my native americans wasnt found
rapist great great grandmaw wasnt found
lotta dead ends around the late 1800s

Yeah, I don't claim rapist and white folks in general.

But, what type of dead ends? Maybe I can give you some tips that helped me get through many brick walls.

 

[CBalla]

Yeah, I don't claim rapist and white folks in general.

But, what type of dead ends? Maybe I can give you some tips that helped me get through many brick walls.

some of the dead ends are folks i know are indians
or products of rape

some are just folks that i cant find beyond 1890’s ish

 

[Astroslik]

I already know where my family settled and what plantation etc

it’s very easy to trace

 

[GoAggieGo.]

I need to do the same. I did for one of ours -- but I need to do it for my paternal side. It's two family cemeteries that are in bad condition - that I plan on going to this summer to help clean up and manicure.

But, when you do make sure you update the info to FindAGrave.Com -- it's will help your family members who come behind you find where your ancestors are buried. Make sure the cemetery is added and add their names, info and (if you want too) grave site pictures.

Yep, that’s a must! I’m going to get registered on that site ASAP. My father is actually a trustee and over the financials for the family site. I remember I had just graduated college, and he came up to me and asked me to donate to the fund, and I didn’t hesitate. I’ll be back up that way in February for my sisters birthday, and to clean up the site a bit. Get some of them weeds up. That’s my people there, and when my father passes, my brother and I will be the Shepard’s over our ancestors in that graveyard. My pop bought and placed their plots right next to my sisters at the grave site.

 

[GoAggieGo.]

I remember telling my little bro that I felt so alive for some reason when I used to come visit him at Mississippi State, driving through Columbus and Lowndes County. I know why now, as I was in the land of my ancestors. That was the first time I understood when my grandpa used to tell me that my ancestors were watching over me.

These are my favorite type threads

 

[xoxodede]

some of the dead ends are folks i know are indians
or products of rape

some are just folks that i cant find beyond 1890’s ish

Many of our ancestors are products of rape. But, do you know their names or any information about them?

If so, you can check Will & Probate records. Learn more about them here: United States, Slave Transactions (National Institute) Genealogy - FamilySearch Wiki
African American Probate Records Genealogy - FamilySearch Wiki

For instance, here's Alabama: Alabama Probate Records, 1809-1985 — FamilySearch.org - but all states have them as well.

But, In order to do so - you must know the county and the surname of the enslaver. You can then go look at their "inventory" and you can probably find some of your ancestors listed. They are usually listed with their family or children.

For your Native American ancestors -- have you checked the Dawes Final Rolls | OHS Research Center

Also, do you know if they were enslaved? As the 5 Tribes enslaved Africans/Blacks. I know some people think they have native ancestors -- but really some their ancestors were enslaved by Natives.

 

[MoneyTron]

I haven't found anything in the regular family tree search but I think I found my granddad's granddad as he resided in a town my granddad used to live in. My cousin is a 5th and shares the same name.

 

[killacal]

Thread been up since 9:45 am and isn't even one page. You really hate to see it.

Remember, these the same nikkas that try to argue with me when I point out that they don't give a fukk about their history outside of feeling like they deserve a check.

Maybe you should put "pawg" in the title, they'll all run in here

What nikka fukked ur bytch