"Annoyed Child": Our Ancestors and Euphemisms

Our Ancestors and Euphemisms
If you read newspaper articles from 1915 to 1940, you will stumble upon words and phrases that suggest a crime but fail to define the crime. The phrase “He annoyed a child” was a common one during this timeframe. Our ancestors used this term to describe acts of child molestation, sexual abuse, or assault. Basically, early 20th century societal norms around decency and propriety caused for strong action. The seriousness of this assault on children was softened in its reporting by alluding to inappropriate or criminal behavior without directly addressing its nature.

Why Annoyed?
The use of “annoyed” can also be traced to legal terminology of the time. This was the preferred way to address crimes against children. Verbs like “offend,” “disturb,” or “annoy” a child, are riddled in historical court records, newspaper articles and divorce records.

What About the Child?

Well, some took matters in their own hands. Murdering Dad seemed to be an option. Matter of fact, as you see above, murdering the man who touched your daughter was "justifiable homicide." 

This was not the norm however. Children were often silenced or disbelieved, and perpetrators were shielded by societal taboos and unpolite topics to discuss. Yet, we see above that parents, sometimes just the mother, allowed daughters to testify. In one case above, the older sister also testified on behalf of her little sister who killed Dad. But, we must know that minimizing language to “annoyed” reflected a cultural discomfort with addressing these issues head-on.

I'd like to say, as awareness of child abuse and sexual violence grew in the mid-20th century... but truth is EVERYONE knew it! There wasn't a lack of awareness, it was a lack of acknowledgment. Anyway, after WWII there was a shift in transparent language. Activists, survivors, and advocates worked to bring these issues out of the shadows and into the public eye using the law and media!

Women Empowered

The term rape has existed for centuries but rarely used in early newspaper reporting or courts. Its consistent and direct use in media reporting began in earnest during the mid-20th century, gaining momentum with feminist activism in the 1960s and 1970s. Today, it is recognized as an essential term for accurately and responsibly addressing the crime of sexual violence.

Kathleen Brandt

Tracing Sharecroppers & Tenant Farmers?

The Columbus Ledger Columbus, GA, Feb 3, 1964, pg.Page 7

Researching your farmer ancestors can be challenging, especially in the South, post-Civil War. NO,  President Jimmy Carter was not born yet, but he, too, had ancestors, artifacts, diaries, data, and books. Check out the holdings at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum. 

Why consider the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library? Because our Ancestors were Farmers! And well, Jimmy Carter, born in 1924, revealed a lot about our ancestors' rural lifestyle. President Carter implemented policies and supported initiatives during his presidency (1977–1981) that aimed to improve the lives of rural Americans, including the descendants of post-Civil War families

Where to Start?

With a family tree like that one we first must ask "Really?" Yes really. When researching family history, we often turn to archives, historical records, and libraries to uncover the stories of our ancestors.

           

           

FamousKin.com

Now remember Presidential Libraries are specialized and you aren't going to find vital records - birth marriage deaths, but you may find ancestors like "Why did the rural farmer lifestyle of our ancestors need so much attention? We can find who, what, when, and where in genealogical databases and many deeds and records; but what about WHY? 

Researchers will find a wider view of ancestors through any President's papers. These repositories of history, preserve records from the president’s administration, personal papers, and materials related to their era. The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library is no exception. While it primarily focuses on Carter’s presidency (1977–1981), it also houses resources that can enrich your understanding of your family’s past, particularly if they lived in Georgia or the South during the late 20th century.

Researching Tenant Farmers and Share Cropper Ancestors?
If your ancestors were farmers in the late 19th or early 20th century begin with gathering the following:

• Land Records: Check historical deeds or tax records to determine if they rented land (tenant farmers) or worked as sharecroppers.
• Census Data: U.S. Census records from the late 1800s and early 1900s often note whether a person was a “farm laborer” or a “farmer” and whether they owned or rented land.
• Local Histories: Explore local archives or oral histories for information on land ownership and agricultural practices in your ancestor’s community.

In the aftermath of the Civil War, new paths were made for landowners to maintain labor on their farms without the enslaved workforce. Mostly those who struggled tried, without success, to get out of poverty being a Sharecropper or Tenant Farmer.

Sharecroppers were farmers who worked someone else’s land in exchange for a share of the crops they produced, typically half or more. A tenant farmer might rent 20 acres, plant corn, and pay the landowner 20% of the crop as rent, keeping the rest for their family or sale.

Tenant Farmers rented land from a landowner and paid rent, usually in cash or a smaller percentage of their crops. A sharecropper might grow cotton on a landowner’s property. At harvest, they’d turn over 50% or more of the crop as payment, leaving little for their own needs.

Sharecroppers and Tenant Farmers were common in the South, particularly among African Americans and poor whites who lacked the resources to buy land. Over time, both systems contributed to the persistence of poverty and inequality in the region. But what did Jimmy Carter know about this. Well, we are talking the southern practices and here is a 1970 article on just that: 

Ledger-Enquirer, Columbus, Georgia, Sep 17, 1970, pg 19

Finding records of sharecroppers or tenant farmers can be challenging but rewarding. These individuals often didn’t own property, so traditional land records may not apply, but there are alternative resources that can reveal valuable details about their lives.

What's at the Library?
While the library doesn’t house vital records like birth certificates or marriage licenses, it provides rich historical context that can complement genealogical data. For example, understanding the challenges of farming in the 1970s or the impact of federal housing policies can help you piece together your ancestors’ experiences.

What You Might Find

• Federal Records: Studies on Georgia’s economy, farming trends, or housing developments.

• Photographs and Media: Images of Georgia communities, Carter’s campaign stops, or significant events.

• Policy Papers: Documents detailing how federal programs influenced local communities.

• Exhibits and Oral Histories: Stories from Carter’s contemporaries, potentially including people from your family’s region..

9 Research Tips

1. Census Records.

• Post-Civil War through the early 20th century, especially 1870–1940.  The 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 censuses often specify whether a person owned or rented their farm or home.
• Occupation listed as “farmer” or “farm laborer.”
• Indications such as “R” (rented), “O” (owned), or “F” (farm) in property columns.
• Agricultural schedules (available for some years like 1850–1880), which may list crops produced or acreage worked.

2. Local Land Records

• Tenant farmers and sharecroppers often entered into contracts with landowners.
• County Courthouses: Lease agreements or rental contracts might be in land records or probate files.
• Historical Societies: Some local organizations have preserved ledgers or documents related to farming arrangements.
• Tips: Search for records of the landowner. Tenant agreements may be filed under their name rather than the tenant’s.
• Look for deeds or tax records that describe land usage rather than outright ownership.

3. Freedmen’s Bureau Records
For African American ancestors after the Civil War: The Freedmen’s Bureau (1865–1872) helped formerly enslaved people transition to freedom, often brokering labor contracts between freedmen and landowners. Look for the following: 

• Labor contracts, particularly in Southern states.
• Complaints or disputes filed by sharecroppers or tenants.

4. Tax Records
Local tax records can reveal clues: Tenant farmers may appear in personal property tax rolls (for tools, livestock, or crops) even if they didn’t own land. Check the County tax assessor’s office or archives.

5. Agricultural Extension Records
In the early 20th century, state agricultural extensions and federal programs worked with sharecroppers and tenant farmers. 

6. Plantation and Landowner Records
If your ancestors worked for a specific landowner, plantation or large landowner records might include tenant or sharecropping agreements and/or lists of workers or correspondence.
Be sure to check out University libraries or special collections focusing on Southern history and local historical societies.

7. Oral Histories and Local Histories

Oral histories can provide personal accounts of tenant farming or sharecropping.
Sources:Library of Congress’s American Memory Project.
Local archives or historical societies.

8. Court Records
County or state court archives may hold these records.

• Disputes between landowners and tenants often ended up in court. Look for the following:
• Lawsuits over unpaid rent or disagreements about crop shares.
• Probate cases that mention tenant arrangements.

9. WPA Slave Narratives and Rural Life Accounts
These narratives may be found online through the Library of Congress or genealogical websites.

• The Works Progress Administration (WPA) collected interviews in the 1930s, including
• accounts of former enslaved people and their descendants, many of whom became sharecroppers or tenant farmers.
• Stories of rural life that may mention local systems of labor and farming. 

Thank You, President Carter

Kathleen Brandt

1890 Census Lost? 8 Resources to Recover the Data

1890 Federal Census Records weren't lost, they were Substituted 
Genealogists are forever lamenting the destruction of the full 1890 Federal Census. But, why? There are so many great substitutes.

In case you didn't know, most of the 1890 US Federal Census records were destroyed by water due to a 1891 fire at the Customs Building in 1921. Only 1233 pages or fragments survived. This means of the 62,979,766 people enumerated only 6,160 pieces of data survived

We talk about the uniqueness of the 1890 census here:

Where to Start to Locate Substitutes to These Lost Records?

1.  Fragments. Ancestry and FamilyTree.org also digitized copies of the 1890 United States Federal Census Fragment. 

2.  State or local repositories may have reconstructed the data or have originals of the original 1890 census. Idaho, one of six new states joining the 1890 census for the first along with North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Washington, has reconstructed mc of their 1890 census.

Idaho 1890 Reconstructed Census

3. One Place Studies:  Off The Wall: Making Sense of the U.S.Census (begins at 16:16minute)

One Place Studies are finally catching on in the USA.  They are effective and can be used to recreate the place and people in a location (county, township, state_ for your timeframe (i.e. 1890 in Comanche County). As of today, 21 states have at least one village, town, or county involved. Listen about One Place Studies and get your community of interests involved. Be sure to complete the free register so others know you exist. 

4.  Surviving 1890 Census Records 
First, know that the following 1890 census records survived:
->Alabama - Perry County
->Alaska - Logbook of Frank Lowell
->District of Columbia - Q, S, 13th, 14th, RQ, Corcoran, 15th, SE, and Roggs streets, and Johnson Avenue
->Georgia - Muscogee County (Columbus)
->Illinois - McDonough County: Mound Township
->Minnesota - Wright County: Rockford
->New Jersey - Hudson County: Jersey City
->New York - Westchester County: Eastchester; Suffolk County: Brookhaven Township
->North Carolina - Gaston County: South Point Township, Ricer Bend Township; Cleveland  County: Township No. 2
->Ohio - Hamilton County (Cincinnati); Clinton County: Wayne Township
->South Dakota - Union County: Jefferson Township
->Texas - Ellis County: S.P. no. 6, Mountain Peak, Ovila Precinct; Hood County: Precinct no. 5; Rusk County: Precinct no. 6 and J.P. no. 7; Trinity County: Trinity Town and Precinct no. 2; --Kaufman County: Kaufman.

5.  Census On the Five: (i.e. 1885; 1895)

Many states, like Kansas, Nebraska, Florida, Colorado, or in the territories of New Mexico and Dakota enumerated their citizens on state five-year schedules.

But widen your search.  Eighty-six counties of Kansas aren't listed on this ancestry.com listing, but they are digitized on familysearch.org.

This is where I traced my own NC - TN - KS -OK ancestors.  Here is my 3rd Great-Grandmother Louisa in the home of her daughter Sarah and son-in-law Willis. Ages are slightly off. Louisa was actually born in 1817 according to the original Tennessee family Bible, but again, we don't know who gave the information.  

6.  1890 Veterans Schedule

The 1890 special Census for Civil War Union veterans and widows of veterans are intact. This head of household census was originally an enumeration for Union veterans; but in some enumerations, you may also uncover your Confederate veteran.

It is here that by 1890 Willis had left Kansas and was removed to Hennessey, OK. It is also through these records that I learned the alias used by Willis Cox. It was Willis Mills. His USCT Civil War military records explained the surname change.  

 

7.  1890 Oklahoma Territorial Census

• Logan County
• Oklahoma County
• Cleveland County
• Canadian County
• Kingfisher County
• Payne County
• Beaver County

8. Others.  Don't forget City Directories, Land Records, Court records, marriages, etc that are held at the County Level. 

Happy Holiday Season. 

Kathleen Brandt

Honoring Veterans: Eternal Valor Network

Highlighting Salus Populi of Missouri
All across America, in large cities, suburbs, and rural towns, the watchful eye can spot war memorials honoring our veteran ancestors. Some are dedicated to a specific war or troop, and others provide a running list of town veterans or those who lost their lives serving our country. These not-so-known memorials most often display veteran’s names, but some are structures of “salute” inviting the community to learn more about local troops. Check out these few highlighted Kansas City memorials on Can You List Your Area Memorials?  Another wonderful celebration of veterans is The Final Salute held in Des Moines, IA. We most recently shared the exciting work of Salus Populi in Missouri. 

The Eternal Valor Network - A Consortium 

Tracing Ancestors, a 501c3 organization, has recently learned that, with great, intent and purpose, each of the organizations are working in isolation. So, Tracing Ancestors has established The Eternal Valor Network (EVN) -  a collaborative initiative dedicated to preserving the memory and honoring the military service of unclaimed Veterans and local fallen Veterans. 

EVN, a Tracing Ancestors Project, brings together coroners, medical examiners, funeral homes, Veteran organizations, and local cemeteries to ensure no Veteran is forgotten. We believe, not only should military history be preserved, but veterans must be honored.

This coordinated consortium streamlines the process of identifying unclaimed veterans' remains, providing dignified burials, memorials, and celebrations to commemorate their service. Through partnerships with local communities, state agencies, and Veteran advocacy groups, the Eternal Valor Network embraces our communities' shared responsibility to honor those who served. 

Preparing for Inaugural Event
Tracing Ancestors will host the inaugural Eternal Valor Network event Spring 2025. This gathering will equip EVN partners with resources and feature an inspiring lineup of keynote speakers, including:

• Lanae Strovers, The Final Salute
• Michelle Cook and Riley Sutherland, Missouri United States Colored Troops (USCT) Salus Populi Project
• Lori Berdak Miller, genealogist and military researcher from the National Archives in St. Louis, representing Redbird Research
• Lyle Gibson: (tentative) Veteran Air Force, Genealogist / Filmmaker

Donations

Thanks to your donations, Tracing Ancestors is on track to funding our 2025 Eternal Valor Network Inaugural Event. Help us meet our goal!

If you wish to donate, here's the link: Eternal Valor Network.  Be sure to check out Tracing Ancestors 2024 Successes.

Kathleen Brandt
President of TracingAncestors.org

5 Research Tips for your Black Cowboy Ancestor

 

 Wichita Beacon, 25 Apr  1975 

The Western Expansion

Sometimes I wonder if I was raised in an alternate USA. The Black Cowboy's importance to westward expansion has ALWAYS been a part of my ancestral history. I went to a "black rodeo" before the age of fifteen.

My maternal ancestors are seven (7) generations Western Kansans, my father's line was five.

Here's a photo of my Great-Grandma's second husband, Arthur White at the Hutchinson Diamond Pow Wow. (For G-GP Arthur, this event was not tied to Native Americans.)

Photo: 1946, Hutchinson Diamond Pow Wow. William Arthur White (Arthur), mulatto, born 23 September 1890 in Trenton, Missouri, died 15 May 1973 in Hutchinson, KS. Hopefully, this was just a git-up, especially the gun, since Arthur was blind in his right eye.

The seventy-fifth anniversary of Hutchinson, KS celebrated its founding with the “Diamond Pow Wow.” This four-day celebration was held May 15 - 18,1946, and featured street entertainment, parades, and a historical pageant. Three pages of pictures were taken and featured in the June 17 issue of Life.

Research Tips

Yes, you can find your cowboy ancestors too.
Library of Congress Learn more about Black Cowboys at “Home on the Range” by Neely Tucker at the Library of Congress.https://lnkd.in/gm7gghJU

1 )Learn more about Black Cowboys at “Home on the Range” by Neely Tucker at the Library of Congress.

2)  use the occupation option and put in Cowboy

Tobler was in enumerated from the Leavenworth Penitentiary, 1900

Get this, he was imprisoned for swindling others with Confederate bills (money) in 1896!!! Yes, a local market and a butcher let him buy a dollar worth of goods and gave him change on his $20.00 of fraudulent money. I'll share how I traced him via a subsequent post. He was fun!

3) local newspaper searches

https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-iola-register/159250910/

4) Cowboy Museums. Did you even know there was a Black American West Museum in Denver? Go on a limb, and ask your local museum to share this part of America's history: Black Cowboys: An American Story.

The Witte Museum, San Antonio, Texas

5)  Compilation of Black Cowboy Resources: https://lnkd.in/gSqAMs-E

Help our Fund Grow: tracingancestors.org
Donate Here:
Zeffy for Hittin' The Bricks with Kathleen
TracingAncestors.org

Kathleen Brandt, a3Genealogy

They Returned to a Divided Country

Tracing Ancestors is in the digitizing and indexing stage of this reference guide. This will be a part of our NEW Eternal Valor Network Project. (More information is on its way.) We rely on your donations!

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is to remind the nation that my ancestor, too, fought and served for this country. My ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, the Spanish American War, WWI and WWII, the Korean Conflict (aka War).

America’s military history is still not properly told in America's History books. But, the truth is documented in USA and world newspapers, Congressional and court case documents, local histories and military records, etc. Here are 5 other resources to use when researching your veteran. 

Let's do what we can to preserve and share America’s real history. Do not go silent! Our ancestors, all of our ancestors, must be honored for their “honorable” veteran service to the USA. linktr.ee/hittinthebricks

5 Military Research Resources:

Spanish-American War/Philippine Insurrection

Military Service by African Americans: America's History Part 1

Resources for Military History Research: Tips for Everyone
America's History Part 2

My Veteran: National Guard or Army / Navy Reserve: How to Research?

Military Records Lost in Fire? Let's Reconstruct Them!

They Returned to a Divided County

In the Great-Grandmother Underwood old cedar chest there are ancestral pictures, quilts, and a family Bible. There are also letters and notes, and a semi-hard cover book from 1919 “

Victory – History of the 805th Pioneer Infantry American Expeditionary Forces” authored by Major Paul S. Bliss in 1919. In the right hand corner “July 5th 1918 July 8th 1919” is written.

It was no secret that Great-Uncle George Strader served in WWI, his service.  His military files were destroyed in the 1973 NARA - St. Louis Fire, but Victory gives a thorough overview of the duties, challenges and environment of the 805 Infantry during this one year span as they were transported from Kansas to Europe and mobilized throughout France. Photos of thes service men were featured.

The 805th Pioneer Infantry Regiment, AEF, known as the Bearcats, was a "colored" unit formed at Camp Funston, Kansas. This unit served with the 1st Army and Advance Section Command in France during WWI and was a labor force of ditch diggers, undertakers and railroad mechanics. The 805^th landed in France on July, 1918 and served in Europe until July 1919. They saw saw 39 days of action.

Great Uncle George,with Company D, traveled from Ft. Riley Camp Funston 25 August 1918 to Kansas City where they boarded the Wabash train to Detroit. They were able to stop in Moberly, Mo. for a proper military send off by the “colored citizens” of the town. From Detroit, they took passage by ferry to Canada, stopping in Niagara Falls for a short visit before reporting to Camp Upton, Long Island, 30 August 1918. On Sept. 1, they were shuffled off to Montreal Canada where they were shipped to Camp Romsey in England. Having yet to arrive in France, they crossed the English Channel for France on 28 September. (pgs 107-111)

He wrote home and the Lyons Republican, local paper for Lyons, Rice County, Kansas posted the lenthgy letter in the 14 Jan 1919 newspaper. He shared news of other black soldiers who were within a 30 mile radius: Sterling Kansas, Geneseo Kansas, and Great Bend, KS.

 

  

  

Great-Uncle George, noted as a local "Colored Hero" in Lyons, Kansas, was not so loved by the county he fought for.

Kathleen Brandt
a3genealogy@gmail.com 

Researching Ancestors: The Enemies Within?

Confederate States

4 Tips to Research Confederacy, Traitors, and the Denaturalized
The Confederacy were made up of eleven Southern States which formed the Confederate States of America (CSA).  After the Civil War, previously fellow American citizens, were labeled to be the "enemy from within" our borders. Or, mostly commonly called the Confederate States. They had seceded from the USA and were accused of being "traitors."  They had in-effect forfeited certain rights due to their rebellion against the Union. Treason is defined narrowly in the U.S. Constitution as "levying war" against the United States or "adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. From the Union’s perspective, the Confederacy’s secession and rebellion were treated as acts of treason.

However, after the Civil War, the southern states did not resist rejoining the Union for survival. One key step involved was for the Confederates to take an "Oath of Allegiance" to the United States, promising loyalty to the Union and the Constitution. This oath was part of the Reconstruction process, aimed at reintegrating former Confederates back into the country. 

So, Were Children of Traitors Americans?

Even though most ordinary Confederates were not barred from regaining citizenship and could take the Oath of Allegiance to be reintegrated into the Union, Confederate leaders who had held prominent military or political roles were initially barred from regaining citizenship. However, President Andrew Johnson offered amnesty through various proclamations from 1865 to 1867, allowing many former Confederates to take the loyalty oath and be "renaturalized" as U.S. citizens. In 1872, Congress passed the Amnesty Act, which restored citizenship to most former Confederates. 

However, Confederate military and political leaders were often excluded from amnesty.

Were They  Denaturalized?

During the Confederacy, the concept of "denaturalization" (the process of revoking a person’s citizenship) did not exist in a formalized way as it does today. However, the secession of Southern states and the establishment of the Confederate States of America created a unique situation regarding citizenship and loyalty, which raised questions about the legal status of individuals in the Confederacy.  

While the CSA didn’t officially denaturalize Union sympathizers, the CSA did treat anyone with Union loyalties as a potential enemy or traitor. People who expressed Unionist views or refused to swear allegiance to the Confederacy often faced persecution, imprisonment, or forced exile. Confederate states also enacted laws to punish or suppress Union sympathizers. However, the Confederacy didn’t or couldn't implement formal denaturalization as it wasn’t a fully recognized government.

The Union’s approach was more about controlling territory and loyalty than about denaturalizing citizens, as it did not recognize the Confederacy’s authority to "naturalize" its own citizens. This is not to say that the denaturalization practice never occcured in America. It has; and is still in place. 

Denaturalization is the process of revoking citenzenship from naturalized citizen. American born citizens are USA citizens by birth. This is different from the denaturalization process which applies only to those who acquire citizenship through naturalization. The denaturalization process in the US was actively practiced during periods like the Red Scare. Supposedly, it targeted people accused of disloyalty, communism, or other forms of subversion. 

Press of Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, Sep 9, 1942

Case of Louisiana

Louisiana is just one of eleven states that made up the CSA:  South Carolina, Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. 

After the Civil War the Ironclad Oath, was passed by Congress in 1862. It became a requirement for
1) former Confederate states rejoining the Union and 2) for citizens seeking certain privileges, including the right to vote, hold office, or receive federal jobs to swear they had never voluntarily supported the Confederacy or engaged in activities against the Union. It remained in place until 1884. 

The purpose of the Ironclad Oath was to ensure loyalty to the Union and exclude former Confederates and sympathizers from political and public positions. Congress also required that the Southern states adopt new constitutions affirming loyalty to the Union and outlawing slavery.

Let's take a look at Louisana, but know that the others followed suit. Louisiana established their new state Constitution on 7 Mar 1868. The State of Louisiana was restored to the Union 9 Jul 1868.

Figure 1 Constitution of Louisiana, 7 March 1868[1]\

 

The Confederate military paroled soldiers, granting them safe passage and a promise not to fight again. Tennessee was the only former Confederate state exempt from the Ironclad Oath. Tennesse was readmitted to Union in 1866; before the 1867 Reconstruction Acts. But, the oath proposed by Congress was rejected by many of the traitor states. Instead, the states complied with the terms in order to be readmitted to the Union (i.e. like Louisiana). Researchers will want to trace ancestors with knowledge of the state:

• Tennessee: The only former Confederate state to be readmitted to the Union in 1866, before the Reconstruction Acts, Tennessee was exempt from the strict requirements of the Ironclad Oath.
• Arkansas and Louisiana: Initially attempted partial reconstruction efforts during the war, adopting revised constitutions under Union control, but still had to follow the Ironclad Oath requirements during post-war Reconstruction for full readmission.
• Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas: These states were each part of military districts set up by the Reconstruction Acts, which enforced the oath requirement for any participation in state constitutional conventions and government. Under pressure to end military occupation and re-enter the Union, they complied, though often reluctantly.
• Georgia: Initially readmitted in 1868, but when it expelled Black legislators and allowed former Confederates back into power, Congress re-imposed military rule, and Georgia had to enforce the oath again before final readmission in 1870.

But remember, your ancestor lost voting rights and other benefits. So as seen below in Louisiana many ancestors signed the Oath, as did Frank Stanga. “Oath to be taken by those who were never Disfranchised” was offered to those who never registered as an enemy of the United States, or did not serve as a leader of guerilla bands during the “late rebellion.” It worked in tandem with the new Louisiana Constitution.  And, Frank Stanga, of Covington, St. Tammany Parish, was an early signer of the Oath. Stanga recorded his State Oath 18 Oct 1868 which also restored his voting rights. Of course that was a Presidential election year; voting being held 3 Nov 1863.

Figure 2 Oath of Citizenship, 19 Oct 1868

The Amnesty Proclamation was signed by President Andrew Johnson 25 Dec 1868 (Christmas Day), granting a blanket pardon to most former Confederates, except for high-ranking officials.

4 Key Resources

Researchers may find these records in military record files on Ancestry.com and Fold3. Familysearch.org also has digitized military service records and pension records.

1. National Archives (NARA),

• RG94; includes Confederate records, paroles, and oaths taken by individuals after the war
• Civil War and Reconstruction Record
• Pardon and Amnesty Records

2. State Archives and Libraries

• The Virginia State Library and Archives holds collections of loyalty oaths taken in Virginia.
• The Texas State Library and Archives has a collection of Confederate pardons and oaths.
• Pardon and Amnesty Records

3.  County Courthouses and Local Archives. This is where the Frank Stanga Oath was loated.

4.  Library of Congress. Manuscript Division or Rare Books Division may contain oaths for certain states or regions.

Kathleen Brandt, a3Genealogy

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[1] Constitution adopted by the State Constitutional Convention of the state of Louisiana, March 7, 1868, https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=loc.ark:/13960/t9w10bd3n&view=1up&seq=24