Whispers from the Dust The Freedmen Records and

  • Slides: 10
Download presentation
Whispers from the Dust The Freedmen Records and African American Family History Frederick Augustus

Whispers from the Dust The Freedmen Records and African American Family History Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey Douglas

The central question “What shall be done with the slaves? ” W. E. B.

The central question “What shall be done with the slaves? ” W. E. B. Du Bois, 1901, Atlantic Monthly W. E. B. Du. Bois

What to do with the slaves during the war? The Emancipation Proclamation provided the

What to do with the slaves during the war? The Emancipation Proclamation provided the moral and legal frame ”. . . all persons held as slaves within any State. . . in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free. ” Signed: January 1, 1863 Lincoln: "I never, in my life, felt more certain that I was doing right, than I do in signing this paper. ”

What to do with the freedmen after the war? • On March 3, 1865,

What to do with the freedmen after the war? • On March 3, 1865, Lincoln signed into law – The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Land • A public institution – The Freedman’s Savings & Trust Company • A private institution

The Freedmen’s Bureau was directed to: “set apart, for the use of loyal. .

The Freedmen’s Bureau was directed to: “set apart, for the use of loyal. . . freedmen, such tracts of land within the insurrectionary states as shall have been abandoned. . . and to every male citizen. . . there shall be assigned not more than forty acres of such land. ”

Trampled hopes General Howard sent the news to Sea Islands, Georgia. One asked: “Why,

Trampled hopes General Howard sent the news to Sea Islands, Georgia. One asked: “Why, General Howard, why do you take away our lands? ” “An old woman on the outskirts of the throng began singing this song (‘Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen’); all the mass joined with her, swaying. And the soldier wept. ” -- Du Bois, The Souls of Black Folk –

Two freedmen legacies The Records “This is the hope of the Freedmen records, to

Two freedmen legacies The Records “This is the hope of the Freedmen records, to open a window, even if a small one, into that important transitional period that began with the end of slavery. ” 100 years of discrimination Alex Haley, at a World conference on Family History

Hawkins Wilson Sought help from the Bureau • “I have no other one to

Hawkins Wilson Sought help from the Bureau • “I have no other one to apply to but you. • “My name is Hawkins Wilson. . . Who was sold at Sheriff’s sale and used to belong to Jackson Talley

Benjamin Manson and Sarah White marriage certificate Original Marriage Date: Oct, 28, 1843 Lists

Benjamin Manson and Sarah White marriage certificate Original Marriage Date: Oct, 28, 1843 Lists 9 of their 16 children Official Marriage Date: April 19, 1866

Marrow deep "In all of us there is a hunger marrow-deep, to know our

Marrow deep "In all of us there is a hunger marrow-deep, to know our heritage - to know who we are and where we have come from. “Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning. No matter what our attainments in life, there is still a vacuum. An emptiness. And the most disquieting loneliness. ” Alex Haley, at a World conference on Family History Alex Haley 1921 -1992