Getting Around Brick Walls In Black Genealogy

Saturday, 03/21, 3-4:30pm, Auditorium, Presented by Richard Fellrath, former President and current Board Member of the Oakland County Genealogical Society: The biggest problem that researchers have in black genealogy is slavery. Before emancipation, slaves were only listed by age and sex. No names were used. The 1870 census was the first where names were listed. Free blacks were listed by name before 1870 and few probate records listed names. People from Louisiana could get married, because the catholic church ignored the state law that prohibited marriages between slaves, but other records are available in some cases. These records will be discussed. Registration is required!