I hate that we used the same derogatory word the white man used to dehumanise our ancestors. They were human beings who kidnapped, trafficked and ultimately enslaved.
I would LOVE to help, as (unfortunately), my five times grandfather had slaves in Virginia. I have his Will in which their names are listed, but I have been unable to find out what happened to them or their descendants.
@Christopher Mayfield The last name of your ancestor is possibly the name of the slaveholder. Look for that name on the slave schedule for the area where your ancestor lived. Then look to see if there is a will for that person(s). The 1860 census may be helpful with the name of the slaveholder. Sending you wishes that your ancestors speak and guide you through this journey of discovery.
African American is a modern invention and like "Black Colored, Negro and Berber" has no actual basis in history Nationality Heritage and denotes a mythical people. It is easy to comprehend the meaning of French, Italian, British or German American because they are Countries not a continent and can be narrowed down to a specific city or village unlike an entire continent. This has very serious ramifications in law, especially international law where one must have a Nationality not a Color to be afforded the human rights in accordance with Nationality law's and not domestic civil statutes policies afforded "Property"!!! We must deal with the "Identify Crisis Issue" that deprives us of our collective humanity as a people not de facto property of the U.S. government/corporation [District of Columbia].
Hi Renee, thank you for the question. We are glad to see that you are interested in learning more about your roots. We have an article on our support site with some tips on how to research African American ancestors that may be of some help, support.ancestry.com/s/article/Researching-African-American-Ancestors?language=en_US. Best of luck with your research!
Hi, Deshia. Thank you for reaching out. We actually do make all of the records relating to enslaved people available for free on Ancestry®. You can find the 12 Million records collected here to help you while researching: www.ancestry.com/search/categories/records_of_enslaved/
Hello my name is Sherika Edwards, and I want to get started on finding my ancestors but I'm not sure on how to get started, because my grandfather" my mother's father" I know his birthday, his month and day of birth but I don't know the year of birth or date of death and my grandmother "my mother's mother" I only know her name, I don't know her date of birth nor her date of death and I'm not sure of their exact place of birth. And on my father's side I don't know his mother's birth name and I don't know his father's name and I'm not for sure where they're exact place of birth was, so I'm kind of stuck when it comes to trying to find out who my ancestors and my enslaved ancestors are. So how do I get started on my journey to finding my family and my enslaved family? Thank you
@@sincere1019 Many not all were Beta Israel, others were rejects who were sold by their tribal chiefs. Others were just olain immigrants. It deoends. All people don't have the same genetic lineages. You all suffer from this all in together mentality. Nothing could historically be further from the truth.
I could have trace back until 1562. I dont have the premium so I cant look up evidence. I saw alot of "unavailable" female ancestors and my cuban grandfather doesnt look very white either. They could be slaves
The majority of Blks in America were already here. And thats what the elders tell you. When you ask about "Africans" the elders have no such recollection.
It's baffling to see this statement pop up, because it makes no sense logically, anthropologically, historically or genealogically. There is evidence Africans sailed here and may have crashed a couple of ships along the southern coast coming off the Atlantic trade winds, so if it makes some Blks feel better to think they are indigenous compared to white europeans that's likely true. But the history of migrations shows all people came out of the continent of Africa. The processing that turned Africans into slaves included barbaric torture that forced cultural annihilation. So it's silly to say "the elders have no such recollection". That's assuming "the elders" from the most recent generations are expected to recall what happened 20 generations before. Black descendants of American slavery are of African descent and a sign of positive mental health is claiming both.
@@jmaatgreen7894 there's nothing "baffling". Do the research. Many BLKS were already here in the Americas. Start with the book..."Unexpected faces in ancient America, 1500 B.C.-A.D. 1500 " by Alexander von Wuthenau. Stop believing your 'western indoctrination'.
@@MCfact1827 I have done extensive research but am always open for more. But you can not alter a genetic timeline of human migration and claim it's saying more than it is. People of African descent did come to this part of the world, no question. They predated Columbus, no question. What point are you trying to make, because there is no refuting that they were African, and no one was doing a census so there's no real evidence of how many. You originally cited the elders' memories. Then you cite a European researcher but tell me to stop believing western indoctrination. At least cite research, historians and anthropologists of African descent (Van Sertima, Rashidi, Diop).
@@jmaatgreen7894 census readings have proved to be bogus. Look up census paper genocide. Alexander von Wuthenau is not part of the so called "mainstream". Many do question the African presence in the Americas prior to Columbus.
It's interesting to research and and discover things about history. Just don't go looking in your family history for excuses. Slavery was practiced worldwide with all nationalities and many enslaved their own.
