Contains tax records for free blacks and slaves, records of condemned blacks who were executed or transported out of state, and records of runaway slaves who were caught and whose owners could not be found. The runaway slaves became the property of the state and were sold to new owners.

The General Assembly of Virginia passed restrictive laws in response to white fears of slave rebellion. Free blacks were also subjected to harsh laws and taxes.

Library of Virginia              FamilySearch                

10 Million Names is a collaborative project dedicated to recovering the names of the estimated 10 million men, women, and children of African descent who were enslaved in pre- and post-colonial America (specifically, the territory that would become the United States) between the 1500s and 1865.

The project seeks to amplify the voices of people who have been telling their family stories for centuries, connect researchers and data partners with people seeking answers to family history questions, and expand access to data, resources, and information about enslaved African Americans.
 

10 Million Names

Since enslaved individuals were considered property rather than citizens, they were not listed by name in the same way as free individuals. Instead, the slave schedules provided aggregated data for slaveholders and slave-owning households. The information recorded on these schedules typically included:

1.     Name of Slaveholder: The name of the individual who owned or controlled the enslaved individuals.

2.     Number of Slaves: The number of enslaved individuals owned by the slaveholder, categorized by age, gender, and sometimes race.

3.     Age, Gender, and Race of Enslaved Individuals: Although not listed by name, enslaved individuals were grouped by age ranges, gender, and race (usually denoted as "B" for Black, “M’ for Mullatto). These categories could include "under 5 years old," "5-10 years old," "10-24 years old," "24-36 years old," etc.

4.     Other Statistical Data: In some cases, the schedules might also include information about the number of enslaved individuals who were fugitives, deaf, blind, or otherwise disabled.

These slave schedules served multiple purposes, including assisting local and federal governments in understanding the size and demographics of the enslaved population. The data collected through these schedules helped lawmakers make decisions related to representation, taxation, and various policies. It was also used to gauge the economic value of enslaved individuals and the productivity of slaveholders' estates.

For genealogical research, the absence of enslaved individuals’ names on these schedules presents a significant challenge. As mentioned, this makes it difficult to directly identify specific ancestors among the enslaved population. Researchers often need to rely on other historical records, such as wills, estate inventories, plantation records, church records, and oral histories, to try to piece together information about their enslaved ancestors. Collaborative efforts by genealogists, historians, and archivists have been crucial in documenting and uncovering the lives of enslaved individuals and their families.

In recent years, there has been increased attention to and efforts in uncovering the stories of enslaved individuals through digital archives, community projects, and academic research. This work aims to honor their experiences, contributions, and the challenges they faced while living under the system of slavery in the United States.

The 1850 and 1860 U.S. Census were both important decennial enumerations conducted by the United States government, aimed at collecting demographic and socio-economic data about the population. However, they had a distinct difference when it comes to the information they gathered regarding slavery.

Population Schedule:

The population schedule of the U.S. Census refers to the standard enumeration of all individuals living in a household during the respective census years. This schedule collected information about each individual's name, age, sex, race, occupation, place of birth, and more. It aimed to provide a comprehensive picture of the population's demographic makeup and socio-economic characteristics. This data was vital for government planning, policymaking, and various other purposes.

Slave Schedule:

The slave schedule, on the other hand, was a separate part of the census that recorded information about enslaved individuals. In both the 1850 and 1860 censuses, the slave schedule gathered data about the enslaved population, including the names of slaveholders, the number of enslaved individuals they owned, and some basic demographic information about the enslaved population, such as age, sex, and color. This schedule provided insights into the extent of slavery and the conditions of the enslaved individuals at that time.

Key Differences:

The primary difference between the population schedule and the slave schedule lies in the focus of their data collection:

1. Population Schedule (1850 and 1860):

• Focus: Captured information about the entire free population living in households, including citizens, immigrants, and individuals of all races and backgrounds.
• Information Collected: Name, age, sex, race, occupation, place of birth, marital status, etc.

Slave Schedule (1850 and 1860):

• Focus: Specifically targeted the enslaved population and the slaveholders who owned them.
• Information Collected: Names of slaveholders, number of enslaved individuals owned, age, sex, and color of the enslaved individuals.

In essence, while the population schedule provided a general overview of the entire population, the slave schedule provided specific information about the enslaved individuals and their owners. This distinction highlights the deeply entrenched practice of slavery in the United States during that era, and the government's recognition of enslaved individuals as property rather than as free citizens. The data from these schedules serves as crucial historical records for understanding the complexities of American society and its demographics during this tumultuous period.

2. Inclusion of Previously Excluded Individuals: Enslaved individuals were not included in earlier census records as individual people. Instead, they were often tallied as property or part of their enslavers' households. The 1870 Census aimed to rectify this by listing each individual, including their names, ages, and other personal information.

3. Identification of Family Units: The 1870 Census allowed researchers to identify family units among formerly enslaved individuals, as family relationships were recorded. This made it possible to trace family connections and relationships that had often been broken due to the institution of slavery.

4. Race and Ethnicity: The 1870 Census did include information about the race of individuals. This was a reflection of the social and racial dynamics of the time. Enumerators were instructed to identify individuals as "White," "Black," "Mulatto" (mixed-race), "Chinese," "Indian," or "Other." While the racial categories can be problematic from a modern perspective, they can still provide valuable insights into the demographics and social structure of the time.

5. Enslaved Individuals' Self-Identification: In some cases, formerly enslaved individuals who were listed in the 1870 Census had the opportunity to self-identify their ages, family members, and occupations. This self-identification aspect can provide a more accurate representation of individuals' experiences and circumstances.

6. Genealogical Research: For researchers and descendants of enslaved individuals, the 1870 Census serves as a crucial starting point for tracing family histories and genealogies. It can provide leads to further research, such as examining earlier records, oral histories, and other historical sources.

It's important to note that while the 1870 Census was a significant step in recording previously excluded individuals, it wasn't without its limitations. Census data can sometimes be incomplete, inaccurate, or difficult to interpret due to various factors, such as illiteracy, language barriers, and enumerator bias. Researchers should use multiple sources and approaches to build a comprehensive understanding of their ancestors' lives.

U.S. Census Information​​

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• Understanding Delayed Birth Records. 
• What year did each states begin recording birth records? 

Birth Records Dates​​​​

• What year did each states begin recording death records? 

Death Records Dates

Federal Land Patents offer researchers a source of information on the initial transfer of land titles from the Federal government to individuals. In addition to verifying title transfer, this information will allow the researcher to associate an individual (Patentee, Assignee, Warrantee, Widow, or Heir) with a specific location (Legal Land Description) and time (Issue Date). We have a variety of Land Patents on our site, including Cash Entry, Homestead and Military Warrant patents.

Land Records

The quality of the evidence varies from state to state, county to county, precinct to precinct. In some cases, the time of residence is universally recorded as “twelve months” and the place of nativity is no more specific than “United States.” In other cases the time of residence can be used to determine a precise migration time, and the place of nativity identifies the place of origin. These two factors can help you identify antebellum migration routes. African American families enslaved prior to the Civil War did not have the right to move about on their own. Certainly some families escaped, but these are the minority. For most families antebellum migration routes for enslaved families indicate antebellum migration routes for their slave owners. These voter registration lists, if nothing else, may provide the necessary evidence.

Unfortunately the lists do not survive for every state. Most of the surviving lists are held by their respective state archives, and many have been microfilmed by the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City. Use the FamilySearch Library catalog to check the availability. In addition to these, the Alabama records have been digitized on the website of the Alabama   Department of Archives and History . 

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