The Importance of Black Genealogy
Slavery and lack of documents have kept many Black Americans from knowing their family’s full story. But the Black Genealogy movement is working to change that. Author: Alorien Sadler Updated: 7:32 AM CST March 10, 2021
MEMPHIS, Tenn. Every life has a story, and genealogy helps us put our full picture together. But for Black Americans, this can be a difficult and a painful task. Slavery and lack of documents have kept Blacks from knowing their family’s full story. But the Black Genealogy movement is working to change that.
Imagine being reduced to mere property. Prior to emancipation, enslaved Africans and their descendants were not included in the U.S. Census. And for some, the only recognition of them were found on “slave schedules” or an owner’s will.