Tracing the Enslaver's records may be the key to uncovering information on our enslaved ancestors. As a brickwall expert, I also use these records to distinguish common-named enslavers. The enslaved names may be my only clue between that Wm. Smith and the other Wm. Smith.
Objective: Did you know the connection may be found after 1865? Marriage records, death records, wills, deeds, and court records, plus more, may make this connection for you. You just have to dig! Here are examples and 10 suggestions to add to your Research Checklist:
This blog is part of the Connecting Enslaved Persons with Enslavers: The Unexpected presentation.
The following ten research resources should be added to your enslaved / enslaver Research Checklist. Get used to seeing the enslaver and the enslaved person having different surnames (family names).
This post purposely does not cover the Freedman Bureau. Most are familiar with Freedman's Bureau, and it is not often overlooked. However, the Freedman Bureau did not reach all of the states or communities. So, this blog post is not about low-hanging fruit, where we expect to see enslavers' names, but where we might not see them. Since we are working with brickwall research, we need to leave no paper trail untouched.
Note: I was going to transcribe the following records for you. But decided this is a learning opportunity. You can just as easily use AI (try ChatGPT) to help with the transcribing. Of course, the familysearch.org links also have transcriptions for their records below. Great time to test your AI skills.
In Upson, GA, it was common. Actually, in many areas, it was common. We also see this in Caldwell, NC, 1866-1872. It was the best way to distinguish which Tom married Mary, which John married Betty, and which William married Tempy. Here is just one page of registered marriages of former enslaved persons.
 |
| FamilySearch: Upson Marriage Records, 1868-1876 |
2. Death Records
Yeah, I know...death records, especially those 50 years after the Civil War, rarely host the enslaver's name. But this is one of a half dozen or so that we have unearthed as a tool to beat down that brickwall. This record also confirmed that Anderson Stanton's former enslaver was Charles S. Bruce. Even more special, Staton's parents were named
3. Apprentice Court Record
After the Civil War, many of the formerly enslaved were established as apprentices through their former enslaver. These apprentice agreements were not only put in place, but they were often witnessed by the former enslaver.
Logan (KY) Court Records, 1870-1870
4. Orphans Court Records
There are times (ok, always) that additional background to a court record is needed. But in Howard County, MD, there were several records in the court proceedings after the war that asked formerly enslaved persons to justify why their formerly enslaved child, underage, "should NOT be bound as an apprentice. Again, this is one example in one county, in one state. However, this practice was not unique to Maryland.
 |
| Howard County, MD Orphans Court Proceedings, Sept 1864; Image 141/715 |
5. Southern Claims Commission
It's important to know that the practice of tying a former enslaved person to a former enslaver can be found in very deep southern states. The Southern Claims Commission record collection is replete with such connections like this one from Benton, Mississippi, where the former enslaved person witnessed for their former enslaver, or vice versa. Yes, the former enslavers were also credible witnesses for their enslaved people. We see this especially when an enslaver had gifted a donkey or tool, but that gift was taken as war bounty, or to assist the war efforts..
 |
| Southern Claims Commission, Benton, MS, 1871 - 1880 |
6. The local newspaper. Really, that's not the first place you looked? I know most people won't get this lucky, but I have found over a dozen for clients.
 |
| The Courier Journal, Louisville, KY, 29 Dec 1906 |
Plus, if you are looking for that missing ancestor, the newspapers reported the gory parts too:
8. Deed books
9. Military Records
Many of these letters are in the Adjutant General's office also.
10. Territorial Records
Here's what an abstract / transcript looks like:
 |
| The Daily Galveston, TX, Jul 1890 |
7. Wills and Probates
We know not all enslaved persons took their enslaver's surname. Matter of fact, many kept an earlier surname, perhaps from the previous enslaver or the enslaver of their childhood. Either way, it makes tracing our enslaved ancestors challenging to trace. Or maybe they are just making sure we are not being lazy! Ancestors can be filled with folly and tricks!
So, when I look at the Brunswick County, VA Will, dated 1875, years after the Civil War, we not only get the ancestor's name of Alfred Wilkes, we are also able to confirm his former enslaver, W. W. Tally, also had a "former slave" Archer Fagans.
 |
| Brunswick County, VA, will Books, 1875 |
8. Deed books
We've all seen it. The enslaver bequeaths freedom along with property to enslaved people in their Wills, or emancipates them at a particular age. For a no-question court case, the former enslaver is often named. This is a direct path for pulling all associated records (wills, deeds, probates, etc) to prove ownership of land.
 |
| Campbell County, VA, Deed Book 1874 -1877 |
9. Military Records
It's not enough to know that your enslaved ancestor served in the Civil War. Your key to reconstructing your enslaved ancestor's records and family may be buried in the Military Records.
 |
| Military Service Records, familysearch.org, 1861 - 1865 |
Many of these letters are in the Adjutant General's office also.
Mention to me African Americans' research in early territories - LA, MO, IL, FL, (ok...all of them) and you will get my "panda" cuddly face🐼. I love these records. There are territorial church records, mostly for the French and Spanish Code Noir and Catholic sacraments, that name "former slave of ..." or "slave of..." Keep in mind that a common early practice was to emancipate the enslaved ones at a certain age, upon completion of specified years of service, or upon the death of the enslaver. Some researchers, like myself, translated many entries for books and finding aids. Territorial Records are usually located in local repositories, but be sure to check your regional National Archives.
Here's a blog that may assist you with this research: 5 Resources to Tracing Missouri Territorial Ancestors. The rules apply, in general, across all early territories.
 |
| Meridian, Evangeline, Louisiana; 1733-1735 |
