Online Resources
Ancestry
Ancestry.com is a very large, fee-based repository; Can be accessed for free through your local library system.
African American Resource Guide (PDF file)
This is Ancestry.com’s Research Guide: African American Family Research.
Chronicling America
This is the LOC’s repository of America’s historic newspapers from 1789-1963.
Discover Freedmen – The Freedmen’s Bureau Project
This search engine will search FamilySearch.org’s extensive database of more than 5 billion searchable names in historical records.
FamilySearch’s Online African American Records
This is FamilySearch’s collection of links to African American Online databases.
Find A Grave
This is one of the largest grave-site collections.
Library of Congress
The LOC houses many records, photographs, etc. to explore.
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) – Resources for Genealogists
NARA is the nation’s official repository of federal records.
Newspapers.com
This is the largest online newspaper archives.
Overview to Beginning African American Genealogy
LaJoy Mosby’s presentation provides the strategies needed to start the research of your family and to uncover your ancestors’ stories.
Military Records
Fold3.com
This is a large repository of military records; Southern Claims Commission records can be accessed here.
National Archives – Research in Military Records
The National Archives holds Federal military service records from the Revolutionary War to 1912 in the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C.
National Park Service Soldiers & Sailors Database
This is the Civil War Soldier Database.
Research Tools
Genealogy Research Checklist
Thomas MacEntee’s list has over a hundred different types of records and places.
Legacy Webinars
Access thousands of webinars on genealogy, DNA, etc. from this fee-based service.
Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI)
MAAGI’s purpose is to educate and train people who have an interest in studying and documenting the history of African American families. It’s the only “genealogy institute” dedicated to African American genealogy research.
Nat’l Archives Charts and Forms
NARA has research forms for the federal census, military, etc.
DNA Blogs
DNAeXplained – Genetic Genealogy by Roberta Estes
The Genetic Genealogist by Blaine Bettinger
Musings on Genealogy, Genetics, and Gardening by Kitty Cooper
Roots & Recombinant DNA by TL Dixon
Roots Revealed by Melvin J. Collier
Through the Trees by Shannon Christmas
Tracing African Roots by Fonte Felipe
Your DNA Guide by Diane Southard
Genealogy Blogs
Abundant Genealogy by Thomas Macentee
African-Native American Genealogy Blog by Angela Walton-Raji
Blogging on Race, Culture, History and Genealogy by Andre Kearns
Family Tree Girl by Dr. Shelley Murphy
Genealogy & Memory Keeping by Taneya Koonce
Into the Light by Renate Yarborough-Sanders
The Legal Genealogist by Judy Russell
Reclaiming Kin by Robyn Smith
Roots Revealed by Melvin J. Collier
Radiant Roots, Boricua Branches by Teresa Vega
Who is Nicka Smith by Nicka Smith
Genealogy YouTube Shows
Let’s Talk North Carolina Genealogy!
Facebook Groups
AAHGS Central Maryland Chapter
African American Genealogy Blogging Circle
AfriGeneas African American Genealogy Community
DNA Tested African Descendants
Genetic Genealogy Tips and Techniques
International African American Museum (IAAM)
I’ve Traced My Enslaved Ancestors and Their Owners
Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI)
Sons and Daughters of the Middle Passage
Podcasts
African Roots Podcast by Angela Walton-Raji
Blog Talk Radio by Bernice Bennett
Books (Genealogical)
Bennett, Bernice A. Tracing Their Steps: A Memoir. The Write Image, 2019. Amazon link
Berry, Kenyatta. The Family Tree Toolkit: A Comprehensive Guide to Uncovering Your Ancestry and Researching Genealogy. New York:Skyhorse 2018. Amazon link
Bailey, Harris; Bennett, Bernice, et. al. Our Ancestors, Our Stories. The Write Image, 2014. Amazon link
Burroughs, Tony. Black Roots: A Beginner’s Guide to Tracing the African American Family Tree. New York: Fireside, 2001. Amazon link
Collier, Melvin J. 150 Years Later: Broken Ties Mended. Virginia: Write Here Publishing, 2011. Amazon link
Collier, Melvin J. Mississippi to Africa: A Journey of Discovery. Virginia: Write Here Publishing, 2008. Amazon link
Mills, Elizabeth Shown. Evidence Explained, Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace, Second Edition. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2012. Amazon link
Sheffey, Brian. Practical Genealogy: 50 Simple Steps to Research Your Diverse Family History. Rockridge Press, 2020. Amazon link
Smith, Franklin Carter and Croom, Emily Ann. A Genealogist’s Guide to Discovering Your African-American Ancestors. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 2008. Amazon link
Smith, Robyn. The Best of Reclaiming Kin: Helpful Tips on Researching Your Roots, Second Edition. Maryland: 2016. Amazon link
Woodtor, Dee Parmer. Finding a Place Called Home: A Guide to African-American Genealogy and Historical Identity. Random House, 1999. Amazon link
African American History
Woodson, Carter G., compiler and editor. Free Negro Owners of Slaves in the United States in 1830. Washington, D.C.: The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, 1924.
Franklin, John Hope. From Slavery to Freedom: A History of Negro Americans, Fifth Edition. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1980.
Franklin, John Hope. Reconstruction after the Civil War, Second Edition. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1994.
Horton, James Oliver and Lois E., Slavery and the Making of America. New York: Oxford University Press, 2006
Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, Inc. 