Category: Genealogy

view of exit ramp showing Alex Haley museum sign

From Structure to Literature: The National Parks Register of Historic Places that Gave Voice to the Black Experience

by ncurrie, posted in Genealogy, Slavery and the Slave Trade

Today's post was written by Holly Rivet, archival technician at the National Archives in St. Louis. The National Archives Catalog now includes digital scans of the applications for places that have been considered for National Historic Places and Landmarks status.  National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records, 2013 – 2017 (NAID … Continue reading From Structure to Literature: The National Parks Register of Historic Places that Gave Voice to the Black Experience

Slaves in the Family and Escape on the Pearl: A Report on Two Books that Used NARA Records

by ncurrie, posted in Finding Aids, Genealogy, Personal Experience, Slavery and the Slave Trade

Today's post was written by Damani Davis, an Archivist at the National Archives in Washington, DC. Among the most tangible products validating the work of National Archives' (NARA) reference staff are the books written by the many researchers we’ve assisted over the years. Often, there can be a type of synergistic or mutually beneficial relationship … Continue reading Slaves in the Family and Escape on the Pearl: A Report on Two Books that Used NARA Records

A Phenomenon Called “Roots,” 1977

by twalker, posted in American Civil War, Black Women, Diaspora, Emancipation & Reconstruction, Finding Aids, Genealogy, Slavery and the Slave Trade

Today’s blog was written by Alan Walker, Archivist at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland From the moment our search room doors opened to the public in late 1936, family history was a big draw for the public. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1938, nearly one quarter of the admission cards issued went to "students … Continue reading A Phenomenon Called “Roots,” 1977

Revisiting Alex Haley’s ‘Roots’: History Channel Premieres Remake on Memorial Day

by , posted in Diaspora, Genealogy, Slavery and the Slave Trade, Tribute/News

Today’s post was written by Tiffany Walker, Archives Technician in the Textual Processing Branch at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland The History Channel has produced a four part, 8 hour remake of the 1977 miniseries 'Roots,' which is based on the 1976 novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley. The series is set … Continue reading Revisiting Alex Haley’s ‘Roots’: History Channel Premieres Remake on Memorial Day

Civil War Era Tintypes: Randall Nash, USCT, Inf.

by tligon, posted in American Civil War, Genealogy, Military

Today’s blog was written by Jesse Wilinski, Archives Technician at the National Archives at Washington, D. C. While working on RG 15 Case Files of Approved Veterans' Pensions Application (Civil War and Later Survivor's Certificates), 1861-1934 series, I came across a rare object in a Civil War Pension file. It was a tintype of United … Continue reading Civil War Era Tintypes: Randall Nash, USCT, Inf.

Freedmen’s Bureau Transportation Records: Letters of “Sold” Former Slaves Seeking to Rejoin Loved Ones

by tligon, posted in Emancipation & Reconstruction, Genealogy, Personal Experience, Post-Reconstruction

Today's blog was written by Mr. Damani Davis, Reference Archivist at the National Archives in Washington, D. C. This blog was a part of a presentation titled "The Freedmen's Bureau and the Freedman's Bank: Reconstruction Records at the National Archives," given at the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) Conference … Continue reading Freedmen’s Bureau Transportation Records: Letters of “Sold” Former Slaves Seeking to Rejoin Loved Ones

Sold for the Benefit of the Captors

by tligon, posted in Genealogy, Personal Experience, Slavery and the Slave Trade

Today’s blog was written by genealogist Renée K. Carl   As a genealogist with a background in cultural anthropology, I relish the research project that allows me to put information about a family into the context of the times. When a genealogist in Canada put out a call for assistance on a project regarding his ancestor’s … Continue reading Sold for the Benefit of the Captors

Accidents, Injuries and Deaths in the Canal Zone, 1884–1999

by tligon, posted in Diaspora, Genealogy, Labor

Written by Patrice Brown, Archivist (Special Assistant) in the Evaluation and Special Projects Division, National Declassification Center at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland This is the second in a series of blogs that relates to Panama Canal records. This blog focuses on death records and how the records can be used to perform … Continue reading Accidents, Injuries and Deaths in the Canal Zone, 1884–1999

Part I: How to use Panama Canal Personnel Records at the National Archives: My Grandfather worked on the Panama Canal

by tligon, posted in Diaspora, Genealogy, Labor

Today's blog was written by Patrice Brown, Archivist (Special Assistant) in the Evaluation and Special Projects Division, National Declassification Center at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland There has been increased interest in the employees of the Panama Canal since I posted several blogs in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the construction of … Continue reading Part I: How to use Panama Canal Personnel Records at the National Archives: My Grandfather worked on the Panama Canal

A Callin’ from Colón: Photographs of Black Employees Working on the Panama Canal

by tligon, posted in Diaspora, Genealogy, Labor

Today's blog was written by Barbara Lewis Burger,  retired National Archives Still Picture Senior Archivist  We hea’ a callin’ from Colon We hea’ a callin’ from Limon Let’s quit de t’ankless toil an’ fret Fe where the better pay we’ll get ~Claude McKay, Peasants’ Way O’ Thinkin’ According to La Autoridad del Canal de Panamá … Continue reading A Callin’ from Colón: Photographs of Black Employees Working on the Panama Canal