A Student's Guide to African American Genealogy

Subjects:

• History » Geneaology
• Multicultural Studies » Black Studies

Reviews:

• Few other titles on this level mention CD-ROM censuses or other vital records, yet these volumes even compare specific family history software programs....The titles are also noteworthy for the historical background provided....they offer very specific advice to young people on how to write relatives, what to ask, and how to file information once it's collected.
  —Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin
• This outstanding and unique guide will reach students from advanced elementary into older grade levels, examining the heritage of black genealogy and methods of researching and understanding Afro-American history. From talking to relatives and using the library to understanding racial bias in statistics and locating unusual sources of information, this specialized focus provides plenty of insight.
  —The Children's Bookwatch
• It will appeal to anyone - teenager or adult - who is interested in genealogy.
  —The Book Report
• At the end of each chapter, the authors provide an excellent annotated list of resources that offer a better understanding of historical events in Africa and black family life in America....Johnson and Cooper have put together a practical and useful guide for educators and students.
  —National Genealogical Society Quarterly
• Each volume provides an easy to understand overview of the history of immigration and culture in the U.S. for the particular enthnic group....Where these books shine, for the student and adult genealogist, is in the resource listings....For students, these books provide a great way of getting started in genealogy and learning about the life and heritage of their ancestors. For adult researchers these books provide excellent resources to move beyond the genealogical books into learning about the history, culture and experience of their ancestors.
  —FGS Forum

Table of Contents:

• Chapter 1. A Heritage to Celebrate, 1
• Back to Africa, 4
• Be Proud and Realistic, 6
• Resources, 9
• Starting Your Exploration, 9
• African American Language and Culture, 11
• African Language and Culture, 21
• Chapter 2. Immigration in Chains, 25
• The Modern Slave Trade, 25
• Slave Life, 30
• The End of the Slave Trade, 35
• Resources, 38
• Africa: Past and Present, 38
• The Slave Trade, 44
• Slavery and Slave Life, 46
• Chapter 3. Freedom and the African Cultural Diaspora, 49
• The African Cultural Diaspora, 58
• Resources, 61
• Free Blacks and Freedman, 61
• Reconstruction and Modern History, 62
• Success Stories, 65
• Modern Immigration, 71
• Video, 73
• African American Theater, Film and Television, 74
• African Films, 76
• African American Films, 78
• African Music, 80
• African American Music, 81
• African Dance, 86
• African American Dance, 88
• Chapter 4. Getting Started on Your Search, 91
• Talking to Your Relatives, 91
• Organizing Your Search, 93
• Graveyards, 98
• Working in the Library, 99
• Resources, 102
• Searching in the United States: Manuals, Bibliographies, 102
• Societies and Journals, 106
• Attics and Heirlooms, 108
• Graveyards, 110
• Oral Tradition, 112
• Chapter 5. The Census, and What It Doesn't Tell, 116
• Interracial Unions, 122
• Resources, 126
• Chapter 6. Searching for Slaves, 131
• County Deed Books, 132
• Colored Troops, 133
• Early Black Organizations, 134
• Working Back Toward the Middle Passage, 137
• Resources, 140
• General References and Indexes, 140
• Libraries, 142
• Chapter 7. High-Tech Genealogy, 144
• Resources, 147
• Family History on Computer, 147
• The Internet, 148
• Chapter 8. Nontraditional Families and Family Issues, 149
• Resources, 152
• Registers/Support Groups/Advocacy for Adoptees, 152
• Adoption and Other Family Issues, 153
• Chapter 9. Preserving Your Family History, 156
• Family Tree, 156
• Oral History, 157
• Written History, 158
• Resources, 161
• Writing Your Family History, 161
• Great Writing by African Americans, 162
• Glossary, 166
• Index, 168