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African American


Goal 2: Record Sources



Goal 2: Explore African American record sources.


Choices


ALearn how find record sources for African American ancestors.


  1. Quick Guide: Explore the Quick Guide to African American Records on Family Search.

    FS—Quick Guide to African American Records   

  2. Post-1865: Learn how to find helpful resources for research after 1865.

    FS—Finding Helpful Resources, Post-1865—22:56 - 2018

  3. Use FamilySearch tools for research after 1865.

    FS—How FamilySearch Tools Can Help with Post-1865 Resources—18:17 - 2018

  4. Resources: Read the first part of the article to learn about resources for Afro-American research.

    GC—Resources for Ethnic Genealogy

  5. Learn about free African Americans in North Carolina and Virginia.

    GC—Free African Americans in North Carolina and Virginia

  6. Explore the African American Online Genealogy Toolbox in this video.

    African American Online Genealogy Toolbox—79:45 - 2015

  7. Watch this video to learn about researching free people of color.

    RT—Hidden in Plain Sight: Free People of Color in Your Family Tree—14:05 - 2022



  8. Learn about Blacks in the Revolutionary War period.

    RT—Researching Black Patriots and Loyalists During the Revolutionary Era—61:13 - 2024




BExplore vital and census records.


  1. Vital Records: Learn about vital records for African Americans.

    FS—African American Vital Records   

  2. Explore death records on the AfriGeneas website.
  3. Explore marriage records on the AfriGeneas website.
  4. Census: Learn about African Americans in United States Census records.

    FS—African American Census   

  5. Learn about African American census schedules.

    AC: African American Census Schedules

  6. Explore census records on the AfriGeneas website.

CExplore newspaper records for African Americans.


  1. Newspapers: Learn about African American ancestors in newspapers.

    FS: African American Newspapers

  2. Tips: Here are some tips for using Black newspapers in genealogy research.

    AJC: Using Black Newspapers for Genealogy: Tips from Tim Pinnick - 2018

  3. Learn more about African American newspapers.

    APL—Delving into African American Newspapers—44:15 - 2024



  4. Resources: Explore African American newspaper resources on the Ancestor Hunt site.

  Record Search Practice  |   Hints  |   Answers


QUIKLinks


DExplore other record types for African Americans.


  1. Cemeteries: Learn about African American cemeteries.

    FS—African American Cemeteries

  2. Obituaries: Learn about obituaries for African Americans.

    FS—African American Obituaries

  3. Learn how to find obituaries for African Americans.

    GC—Obituaries for African Americans

  4. Probate: Get an overview of probate records in this FamilySearch Wiki article.

    FS: African American Probate Records

  5. Military: Learn about military records for African Americans.

    FS—African American Military Records   
    PR—The Colored Troops of the United States Military

  6. Learn about military records for African Americans in this videos.

    AAC—Military Records—10:05

  7. Courthouse: Learn about the types of records you can expect to find in courthouses.

    AAC—Courthouse Pieces—11:53

Exercises


QUIKLinks