A few weeks ago, a news release was shared but I am just now posting it on my blog. It contained an interesting array of ancestral details––not merely for the African-American folks. Having roots in Virginia, I explored these records for my white family and found valuable information about past relatives I was unaware of. It’s a must-visit for anyone with Southern heritage, regardless of their ethnicity.
On August 24, 2021, significant history was made when Ancestry highlighted an element often overshadowed in America’s past. The unveiling featured the globe’s most expansive digitized, searchable collection of Freedmen’s Bureau and Freedman’s Bank records. This new compilation, spanning over 3.5 million records, provides opportunities for descendants of erstwhile enslaved Americans to trace their lineage. Specifically, it may be the first instance of newly freed African Americans appearing in records after emancipation. This collection can be freely accessed at www.Ancestry.com/Freedmens.
The value of the Freedmen’s Bureau, a body initiated towards the end of the Civil War to aid the transition from enslavement to citizenship, cannot be overstated. It gave assistance to over 4 million people, which included impoverished whites and U.S Colored Troops veterans. The Bureau’s records feature vital details such as labor agreements, rations, apprenticeships, and marriages. Freedman’s bank records, also digitized, offer additional information on depositors.
Unfortunately, knowledge about the Freedmen’s Bureau remains alarmingly low. An Ancestry Harris Poll survey revealed that a massive 72% of Americans lack an awareness of the bureau. This is despite 90% of informed Americans hailing it as a significant historical turning point and agreeing on the need for public access to essential records to enable African Americans to trace their roots comprehensively.
Ancestry offered the African American community the platform to understand their background better by seeking experts’ insights, including Dr. Karcheik Sims-Alvarado, an assistant professor focusing on Reconstruction Era history.
Ancestry is dedicated to playing its part in uncovering personal connections to the past and revealing the narratives of those who moulded American history. The company is offering free access to this collection, enabling significant discoveries concerning Black family history for future generations. A professional genealogist, Nicka Sewell-Smith, highlights the potential for families finding their ancestors’ names and stories, inspiring them with a sense of resilience and a drive to overcome obstacles.
Starting now, everyone can freely navigate www.Ancestry.com/Freedmens to search for their personal connection to this collection, by creating a free account to view the available records.
*Ancestry.com carried out a survey in conjunction with The Harris Poll, July 2021
About Ancestry
As an internationally regarded authority on family lineage and genealogy, Ancestry has a reputation for enriching lives, facilitating personal journeys of self-discovery. Our vast, unique collection of more than 30 billion records and a growing DNA network of over 20 million individuals, provides an opportunity for customers to dive into their family history and gain a newfound understanding of their lives. For over three decades we’ve been creating trusted bonds with millions of people who have selected us as the platform to uncover, maintain and share the most critical information about themselves and their families.
The Harris Poll Survey Methodology
The Harris Poll conducted this online survey on behalf of Ancestry.com in the United States, involving 1,500 adults aged 18+. The survey was run from June 29 to July 13, 2021. The data was adjusted where necessary by aspects like age, gender, ethnicity, region, education, marital status, household size, and income to ensure a representation of actual proportions in the population. Estimations of theoretical sampling error cannot be determined.