VALOUDOU-L Archives

Archiver > VALOUDOU > 2003-05 > 1051960403


From: Denise Oliver-Velez <>
Subject: [VALOUDOU-L] Please assist African-American research
Date: Sat, 03 May 2003 07:13:23 -0400
References: <3EB1409B.45DB4A9F@worldnet.att.net>
In-Reply-To: <018901c31017$035b1960$6401a8c0@neo.rr.com>


Hi List members,

I realize that most of the members of this list are not researching
African-American ancestors in Loudoun, but this note is an appeal to you
all to please assist those of us who are. Many of you run into brick walls
in the early 1800's or 1700's. For many African Americans the brick wall
is 1865. But this is not insurmountable - it is just a bit more
difficult for us than it is for those with white ancestors. Some African
Americans in Loudoun were free prior to 1865 - and there are records for
them. The majority were not, and may only be recorded as numbers on slave
schedules or are listed by first name only (most of the time) in birth
records or in wills or other estate documents. Thanks to the meticulous
work done by Patricia Duncan, Elizabeth Frain and Marty Hiatt, Sue Beach
and other researchers who have published indexes of wills, death and
marriage records, and other books like the recent work of Bronwen and John
Souders on the African-American experience in Waterford - the wall we face
is crumbling.

However, the task is still quite daunting - and without the contributions
of others who may stumble across references to slaves in family papers,
diaries, and journals - many of us will remain frustrated in our search.

My wall began to crumble when a reference was found to a legacy left to my
great grandfather Presley Roberts in the will of Peggy Marks Humphrey. I
received assistance from Marks and Humphrey family researchers (thank-you)
, and as a result have made new discoveries.

I am appealing to you to please take the time to publish to the list any
information you run across - no matter how small. I am in touch with many
other AA researchers seeking family in Loudoun and will make sure the
information is passed on. The Balch library has an active African American
historical research committee - and family files - which are slowly
filling. They will welcome any and all information.

Thanks in advance,

Denise Oliver-Velez
Surnames in Loudoun: ROBERTS, WEAVER, PAYNE, TATE, WILLIAMS, FIELDS,
CARTER, JACKSON, SCIPIO, MOORE, NICKENS, SCOTT, MASON, PERRY


This thread: