FootNote
The new kid on the block, FootNote is known for digitizing historical
documents... many of which are genealogical gems. With naturalizations,
city directories, war records, newspapers, town records, etc... this new
kid is quickly being recognized as an alternative to Ancestry.
While we know our northern friends may not feel it, in the South, Spring is
here. So we thought we'd share a few of our gardening sites appropriate
for this time of the year. Along with gardening, there's grilling, and getting
ready to diet so that you can fit back into that bathing suit this summer!
To: State Directors of The Federal Writers' Project
From: Henry G. Alsberg, Director
In connection with the stories of ex-slaves, please send in
to this office copies of State, county, or city laws
affecting the conduct of slaves, free Negroes, overseers,
patrollers, or any person or custom affecting the
institution of slavery. It will, of course, not be necessary
to send more than one copy of the laws that were common
throughout the state, although any special law passed by a
particular city would constitute worthwhile material.
In addition, we should like to have you collect and send in
copies of any laws or accounts of any established customs
relating to the admission to your State of bodies of slaves
from Africa or other sections, the escape of slaves, etc.
Also, we should like to see copies of advertisements of
sales of slaves, published offers of rewards for fugitive
slaves, copies of transfers of slaves by will or otherwise,
records of freeing of slaves, etc. Public records of very
particular interest regarding any transaction involving
slaves should be photostated and copies furnished to the
Washington office.
Furthermore, contemporary accounts of any noteworthy
occurrences among the Negroes during slavery days or the
Reconstruction period should be copied, if taken from
contemporary newspapers. If such records have been published
in books, a reference to the source would be sufficient. We
have been receiving a large number of extremely interesting
stories of ex-slaves. The historic background of the
institution of slavery, which should be disclosed with the
information we are now requesting, will be very helpful in
the execution of the plans we have in mind.
