One Slave - Many Owners: Following the Path of My Formerly-Enslaved Ancestor - A Case Study

January 13, 2018

One Slave - Many Owners: Following the Path of My Formerly-Enslaved Ancestor - A Case Study is the the title of the presentation at the meeting of the Middle Peninsula African-American Genealogical and Historical Society of Virginia (MPAAGHS) to be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at the Essex Public Library, 117 North Church Lane (Rt. 17), Tappahannock, Virginia (map).

Researching the lives of formerly-enslaved ancestors presents unique challenges. Traveling back in time beyond the 1870 Census requires careful study of records of slave owners, and those used to monitor the lives of slaves. Experienced genealogy researcher Renate Yarborough Sanders will share how she determined her great-grandfather’s status as formerly-enslaved. Then, using a combination of hearsay, primary documents, and careful, analytical research skills she will show how she established a timeline, uncovering a path of enslavement under four different owners during the first 25 years of her ancestor’s life.

Renate Yarborough Sanders has been engaged in genealogy research for more than 20 years; she specializes in African-American research, primarily in North Carolina and Virginia. She is the author of two blogs, and is a BlackProGen LIVE Panelist.

The public is invited to attend. For further information about MPAAGHS, call 804.758.5163 or visit mpaagenealogicalsociety.org.