Culture

Documenting the history of enslaved ancestors is a daunting task. During slavery, enslaved people were seen as property, forming an integral part of the slaveholder’s estate. Uncovering your enslaved ancestors requires delving into the records of the families who “owned” them. Finding your ancestors linked to a dollar value and listed alongside farm animals, equipment, crops, and household items can be an intensely emotional and overwhelming experience, evoking a connection to the past and a sense of the living conditions and livelihoods of those who came before us.