Afro-American Genealogical Research: Case Studies

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Strategies, clues, and inspiration are to be gained by reading reports of other genealogists' successful searches for their African American family history.

1. Cerny, Johni.
   "From Maria to Bill Cosby: A Case Study in Tracing Black Slave Ancestry"
   National Genealogical Society Quarterly, 75 (1987):5-14.
   v. 1 (no. [1]- ); Apr. 1912-- [Arlington, Va. etc.: National Genealogical Society Quarterly (June 1978-)
   CS42 .N4
   
   Illustrates careful use of evidence.
   17-12813



2. Mills, Gary B. and Elizabeth Shown Mills.
   "Roots and the New Faction: A Legitimate Tool for Clio?"
   The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, 89 (1981):35-49.
   The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. v. 1, July 1893.
   Richmond: Virginia Historical Society. v : ill. F221 .V91 Quarterly.
   05-32207



3. Mills, Elizabeth Shown and Gary B. Mills.
   "The Genealogist's Assessment of Alex Haley's Roots."
   National Genealogical Society Quarterly, 72 (1984): 35-49.
   
   Analysis of genealogical research and use of evidence.
   Discussion of oral history versus documentation.
   CS42 .N4 17-12813



4. Peters, Joan W.
   Local Sources for African-American Family Historians: Using County Court Records and Census Returns.
   [Broad Run, Va.]: J.W. Peters, 1993. 42, iv, 128 p., ill.
   E185.96 .P385 1993
   Includes bibliographical references (p. 40-42, first group).
   
   Demonstrates use of county-level resources and state archives, including nineteenth-century personal property tax records, county registers of free negroes, overseers of the poor indentures in court minute books. Includes a useful reading list.
   94-140312



5. Redford, Dorothy Spruill and Michael D'Orso.
   Somerset Homecoming: Recovering a Lost Heritage.
   Introduction by Alex Haley. 1st ed. New York: Doubleday, 1988. xviii, 266 p., ill.
   E185.96 .R42 1988
   Bibliography: p. 265-266.
   
   A family research project which turned into the history and genealogy of an entire plantation describing difficulties, setbacks, successes and triumphs. It is a remarkable example of a family research project, eminently readable, and highly recommended for everyone attempting Black genealogical research.
   87-35155



6. Streets, David H.
   Slave Genealogy: A Research Guide with Case Studies.
   Bowie, Md.: Heritage Books, 1986. iv, 87 p.
   E185.96 .S817 1986
   Bibliography: p. 85-87.
   
   Frank discussion of problems and limitations unique to African American genealogical research. This publication discusses surnames, and where to look for African Americans in the Federal Census.
   86-162912
   
   
7. Sutton, Karen E.
   The Nickens Family: How to Trace a Non-slave African American Lineage from Virginia to Maryland and Back.
   Baltimore, Md. (3324 W. Caton Avenue, Baltimore 21229-3742): K.E. Sutton, 1993. 1 v. (various pagings), ill.
   CS71 .N655 1993
   Includes bibliographical references. Includes important advice at the back of the book for beginning genealogists.
   
   Material prepared in conjunction with: National Genealogical Society, Conference in the States, held in Baltimore, Md., Friday, 4 June 1993.
   94-110627