This is not a philosophy lesson–
Each time I come to the Family History Library,in Salt Lake City UT, to do client research; or, to research what is new, what records have now been indexed online, what new study has been published on an old genealogy record category, or what local group has just been organized–whatever… I discover genealogy records open whole new world.
A whole new world. Please, read on–
Michael Hait, Records of the Slave Claims Commissions, 1864-1867:
- Delaware. Register of Claims. 114 claims.
- Kentucky. Register of Claims. 2,475 claims.
- Maryland. Register of Claims. Coming soon.
Volumes for Missouri, West Virginia, and Tennessee still to come from a collection of “10 volumes and four additional boxes with more volumes.” Record Group 94, Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, National Archives, Washington DC. Entry 348, PI117, Preliminary Inventory, AGO.
What is remarkable and time-worthy about these publications? The claims were submitted for compensation under General Order 329, to spark enlistment and enrollment of colored troops into the US Army during the Civil War. 1864 was a very bad time–much loss of troops and still no end in sight for a war that was wearing and brutal to all America.
The government paid local slave owners to free their slaves, providing the slaves with actual legal status and papers. And allowing the government to compensate the owner for the actual loss. The amount of detail given for both white and black persons mentioned in the documents is remarkable.
And if you are trying to prove that your ancestor was named for his master, these claims will show those slaves who took the master’s surname.
I invite you to become acquainted with is new series, appearing in 2010 from Hait Family History Research Services, http://www.haitfamilyresearch.com
Watch for the Tennessee volume to appear–with record loss so fierce in Tennessee, this record could be timely indeed. Your favorite Tennessee genealogist, Arlene Eakle http://arleneeakle.com
PS Live from the new glassed-in consulting room at the Family History Library, where our current Research Retreat is coming down to the wire–with attendees running to get all their records together before we end.