Celebrating Juneteenth
by Exploring Your Roots
On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that all enslaved people were free - finally enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation that had been issued over two years earlier. This day became known as Juneteenth, an annual commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States.
After decades of activism and advocacy, Juneteenth was finally established as a federal holiday in 2021, when President Joe Biden signed legislation to recognize it nationally. This important holiday presents an opportunity to reflect on the journey and struggles of African Americans, celebrate how far we, as a nation, have come, and to renew our commitments to achieving racial equality and justice.
One powerful way to honor Juneteenth is by exploring your own family heritage. Learning about your ancestors' stories of perseverance, hardship, migration, and hope can connect you to powerful histories of resilience and bring new appreciation for your unique background. Plus, our own personal histories–our family’s history–IS American history. Our ancestor's struggles and triumphs are the paving stones of the social history fabric that is the truth of our nation.Â
So, what is a better way to celebrate Juneteenth than working on and building your family tree?
Here are some resources to help you get started on your African American genealogy research for Juneteenth:
Freedmen's Bureau Records (1865-1872)
These records compiled by the U.S. government contain incredibly rich details about formerly enslaved individuals and their families, including marriage records, labor contracts, ration distribution logs, and more. Many of these are now digitized on sites like FamilySearch and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Old cemeteries can hold invaluable clues about your ancestors - their names, birth/death dates, residences, and more. Many volunteer groups work to identify, restore, and transcribe data from African American burial grounds. Sites like The Black Cemetery Network and FamilySearch host records and resources to help you learn more about where your ancestors are buried.Â
Oral Histories & Family Lore
Interviewing elder relatives and community historians can reveal genealogical details never recorded in documents. This way, important stories and cultural traditions are carried through generations. Looking for collections of Oral Histories? Check out the collection at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture or visit Duke University Libraries, which hosts multiple research databases dedicated to collecting and preserving African American Oral Histories.Â
DNA Testing
Genetic genealogy tests offered by companies like AncestryDNA and FamilyTree DNA can reveal your ethnic origins from Africa, potential relatives, and sometimes even specify regions of the continent your ancestors called home. AncestryDNA hosts a network of more than 25 million people, making it a great resource to help you connect with potential family members, and FamilyTree DNA offers both y-DNA testing (paternal DNA) and mtDNA (maternal DNA) testing. Â
Local Archives, Libraries & Historical Societies
Search locally for records spanning the Reconstruction era through the Great Migrations - from Freedmen's labor contracts to church memberships, homeowner registries, and more. Local Libraries in your area of research and both Historical and Genealogical Societies are amazing resources that will have dedicated information on the location you’re interested in, and a staff who can help you with your research.Â
This Juneteenth, celebrate Black history and freedom by tracing your family tree. Understanding the paths of our ancestors brings new meaning to where we've come from, offers a unique perspective of our Nation’s history, and can even inspire hope for where we're going.
Don’t forget to follow this Substack to learn more about Family History Research and what resources are available to help you build your family tree!
Aryn Youngless is a genealogist based in Los Angeles. To learn more about her services, head over to GenealogybyAryn.com.
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