Comments: Converted from OV/VM to RFC822 format by PUMP V2.2X
Date: Wed, 6 Jul 94 09:43:49 EDT
From: "Hollis L. Gentry" <LIBEM077%sivm.si.edu@KSUVM.KSU.EDU>
Subject: Disability & ex-slave narratives
To Jerrold & Karen Hirsch:
I abstract materials on African Americans from Tidewater Virginia
(the cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton and surrounding
counties) primarily for a genealogical audience. I'm looking at
antebellum and post-Civil War records at the National Archives.
In my personal search through the War Department's records, I've
found references to disabilities in ex-slaves. I would suggest
that you consider searching through the manuscript records of the
Freedmen's Bureau and Freedman's Savings Bank.
The Bureau records will yield a variety of references to ex-slaves
in the southern states. For example you can find records listing
all manner of aged, infirm(disabled) and destitute freedmen living
on government farms and in cities immediately following the Civil
War. While these records are rarely narrations, some do contain
scant biographical data on freedmen dating back to slavery.
The Bank records contain biographical data on freedmen at thirty-
odd branches in the South (including branches in Pennsylvania and
New York). The Norfolk, Virginia branch for example, has
references to disabilities in a few of its depositors' records.
I've also examined the FWP narratives. However, I was searching
for disabilities in Virginia veterans in order to locate
pension/military service records. And while I didn't find what I
sought, I did locate some references to disabilities in the
records. The results I yielded were found in the records I
mentioned above. I don't have a tremendous amount of data, but am
willing to share what I have.
I don't know how far you plan to pursue this topic, but I would
suggest that if you get a chance to visit Washington, that you stop
by the Archives. My office is across the street from the Archives,
and I will meet with you to guide you through the collection.
Hollis L. Gentry
Smithsonian Institution Libraries
NHB Rm 28, Stop 154
(202)357-1851/ fax (202)786-2443/ (LIBEM077@sivm.si.edu)