Sign up for Genealogy Pointers »

Black Roots in Southeastern Connecticut, 1650-1900, represents a milestone in the publishing of African-American genealogy. Authors Brown and Rose spent eight years gathering every shred of information they could find on approximately 2,000 African-American families who inhabited one or more of 26 counties in Southeastern Connecticut. Their sources consisted primarily of U.S. census records from 1790 through 1870 and secondarily on manumission records, deeds, probate records, diaries, church records, and military records. In particular, Brown and Rose have amassed an amazing amount of information on blacks who were living in an area that, on the eve of the Revolutionary War, had one of the largest slave populations in New England. The authors cite the specific source for each element appearing in their genealogical sketches. The brief introduction summarizes some of the challenges of investigating black roots, while the bibliography, name index, and subject index at the back of the volume make using the book quite easy.

Clearfield Company would like to express its appreciation to the New London County Historical Society, the publisher of these two books, for allowing us to make them available to our patrons.

See also this related book:
Tapestry. A Living History of the Black Family in Southeastern Connecticut