The primary purpose of this class “Locating Free African American Ancestors: Pre-
1865’ is to review resources that may be used when researching ancestors who lived prior to the Civil War era. There is a wide range of resources available on free African
Americans that may prove to be very useful to researchers.
Many people are surprised to learn that almost a half million, almost one-seventh of the Blacks of this country, were free long before the end of the Civil War in 1865. This class will also provide information about researching ancestors of this ethnic group, and will help to find ways of learning how, and why, they were free during this period before 1865.
BOOKS AND OTHER RECORDS
ABOUT FREE PEOPLE
Those who have discovered that their ancestors were free before the Civil War must consider the following question. When were my ancestors freed? The answer to this question will not be easy, because there are a number of different reasons they may have been free during this period. While doing my research, I discovered many of these reasons.
CENSUS RECORDS
The U. S. Population Census records contain a wealth of information about people. Without the information from the census records, my family and I would have been extremely limited in our ability to locate our ancestors. The critical link to my great-grandmother was made through a family document, and several U. S. Census reports.
FAMILY RECORDS & DOCUMENTS
Letters and other documents received from family members may contain vital information about ancestors. The inclusion of collateral relatives in family research projects can be very rewarding.
I was able to locate my great-grandmother, because of a letter sent to me by a cousin.
MARRIAGE RECORDS
For those researchers who are fortunate enough to discover marriage records for their ancestors, the documents can be very informative. The laws regarding marriage varied from state to state, as well as who were permitted to marry. The public marriage records of North
Carolina fall into five categories
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APPRENTICE INDENTURE RECORDS
The information contained in these records can be invaluable to those who are searching for free African American ancestors. Apprentice Indenture bonds, records, and papers may be found in the offices of clerks of superior court or recorded in deed books, but most are now in state archives.
COURT RECORDS
Since most researchers will not have the time or opportunity to read through the enormous volumes of court minutes, historical abstracts of many court sessions have been published that may prove to be very helpful.
TAX RECORDS
Tax records can be an excellent source of information for researchers. There were two common forms of taxes: taxes on people and taxes on property. Taxes on people were called poll taxes or capitation taxes and were formerly levied on persons called tithables, taxable, or polls.
DEEDS AND LAND ENTRY RECORDS
These records are excellent sources to locate information about ancestors. From these records, researchers may be able to learn more about where their ancestors lived, who their children were, how much property they owned, and who their neighbors were.
ADDITIONAL TYPES OF RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE-
By: Aaron L. Day & Craig J. Patterson
 AGRICULTURE SCHEDULES
 AMERICAN MISSIONARY ASSOCIATION RECORDS

AMERICAN STATE PAPERS
APPRENTICE INDENTURE RECORDS
BOOKS AND OTHER RECORDS ABOUT FREE PEOPLE
BUREAU OF REFUGEES, FREEDM
EN, AND ABANDONED LANDS (FREEDMEN’S
BUREAU)
RECORDS, AND CD’s
CEMETERY RECORDS
CENSUS RECORDS
CHURCH RECORDS
CITY DIRECTORIES
COUNTY CLERK OF COURT RECORDS
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COURT RECORDS
DEED RECORDS
FAMILY HISTORY BOOKS
FAMILY RECORDS & DOCUMENTS
FARM SCHEDULES
FREE REGISTER RECORDS
FREEDMAN’S SAVINGS AND TRUST RECORDS
GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY JOURNALS & RECORDS
GOVERNMENT LAND GRANTS
HISTORICAL JOURNALS
HOMESTEAD RECORDS
LAND ENTRY RECORDS
MANUMISSION RECORDS
MAPS
MARRIAGE RECORDS
MILITARY RECORDS
NEWSPAPERS
ORAL HISTORY
PENSION RECORDS
PROBATE RECORDS
RECORDS OF FREE AFRICAN-AMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS
RECORDS OF THE SOUTHERN CLAIMS COMMISSION
SCHOOL RECORDS
SLAVE POPULATION SCHEDULES
STATE ARCHIVES
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TAX RECORDS
U.S. TRACT BOOKS
VITAL RECORDS (GOVERNMENT RECORDS OF BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS),
SOCIAL SECURITY DEATH INDEX
WILLS
ADDITIONAL RECORDS FOR RESEARCH
Genealogy Resources on the Web - and Your Public Library
Internet Newspapers
Internet Magazines
Vital Records – Census, Birth, Death, Marriage
Obituaries & Cemeteries
Immigration Lists
General Genealogy Websites - African American Sites, Etc.
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