Barbara, I don't possess any specialized knowledge for tracing slaves, but I'll send you what I can find. If you live within driving distance of the Ga. State Archives, it's well worth the trip. They have people there who are knowledgable, have the resources on hand and are more than willing to help point you in the right direction. I do know that from 1870 onwards all black people were included in the Federal censuses, but before that , they were listed by sex, age and color(b=black,m=mulatto) on the slave schedules and some censuses.On the 1850 mortality schedule, even slaves were listed by fist name and with the owners name.On the Slave schedule: George W. Hurst , 1 mb 3; 3 mb 16; 1 mb 19; 1 mb 21; 1 mb (?) 21; 1 mb 26; 2 mb 28; 1 mb 30; 1 mb 32; 1 mb 35; 1 mb 50; 1 fb 1. Charles B. HUrst, 1 mb 8, 1 mb 38. Elizabeth Hurst, 1 fb 18, 1 fb 22, 1 fb 60 Willis S. Hurst, 1 mb 3; 1 mb 4; 1 mb 11, 1 mb 14; 1 mb 16; 1 mb 55; 1 mb 70; 1 fb 2; 1 fb 8; 1 fb 13; 1 fb 53. Here you can cross-check your ancestors age to see if it matches up with one of the above. 1850 Mortality schedule: Charles B. Hurst's Rebecca, age 22, female, black, slave, born in Ga., Died in Nov. (1849), who was a field hand, was burnt, number of days ill-sudden. This is the only Hust-black or white on the schedule. Wish I could be more help. Maybe some of the other listers have had the same problems and could give you some tips. Sheryl