LOWER-DELMARVA-ROOTS-L Archives

Archiver > LOWER-DELMARVA-ROOTS > 2002-08 > 1029031427


From: "Richard H. Allen" <>
Subject: Re: [LDR] John "Lum" and Edith Hall Biven / John "Tack"and Ada Biven Jones
Date: Sat, 10 Aug 2002 22:03:55 -0400


>From: "Dr.Norman R Anderson, Sr." <>

>I know that I am asking a lot because the skin color of these folks was
>black and not any records were >kept on Blacks during the early years of
>this country, except 'slave records'. Since these Black folk were >freed
>after the Civil War; I assume records were not important for Blacks, but I
>would appreciate any help >that is offered.

Dear Dr. Anderson,

I can't help with you your specific query, but I would like to comment on
this paragraph of your letter. You might be surprised at what those "slave
records" will tell you, as well as the estate files of slave owners. It
takes some digging, but there often many court records available to help
you.

After the Civil War, it is not suprising to have so few official records for
Blacks since they had their freedom but no money. However, they may well
appear on tax lists and voter lists after the War. And marriages that were
officiated by a licensed preacher would also be of record. And of course
the census records beginning in 1870 enumerated Blacks and Mullattos--these
can be quite revealing to see whom they are living next to and what surnames
they used, in many cases for the first time (though it is probably not safe
to assume that taking a surname automatically equates to being related by
blood to that particular family, even if the race is given as "mulatto").
Further, this was a period of much migration especially by Southern Blacks
seeking a better fortune either in the North or the West.

RHA III

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