As we celebrate Black History Month, it can be discouraging to discover that the names and stories of millions of African-Americans have been lost to historical record in the United States. This is especially true of individuals who were slaves; even the United States Population Slave Censuses did not record the names of the slaves (although they did note the name of the slave owner). How do you even begin to find more information over 100 years later?
The University of North Carolina has partnered with the Race and Slavery Petitions Project to create the Digital Library on American Slavery. This database compiles legal information about thousands of slaves and slave owners, finding the names and stories of countless slaves. Users can track a person's major legal events, such as a change in ownership or a bid for freedom. Best of all, this resource is free! What a great way to help students grasp a major historical institution through very real personal stories.
