I hope all of you looking in Missouri are utilizing other resources than what you find on the Internet. I know for a fact that in the LDS Microfilm of Marriages in both Franklin County and Washington County -- at the end of each roll there are filmed records of black marriages in these counties. But there is more than just marriages! After the civil war, blacks were not only allowed to marry in the same civil procedure that whites had always been able to do, but they also could go to the courthouse and register a marriage that had existed from earlier days. In many cases, the husband and wife also registered their children, noting names and birthdates, and sometimes names of their owners, as well as other interesting historic tidbits. Not every registered marriage is so complete, but enough of them are that black researchers should certainly check. I am concerned that many researchers who have come to genealogy via the Internet are unaware of the marvelous resources outside the Internet, necessitating getting out from behind the computer and doing some foot and legwork. These LDS microfilms are available through any Family History Center. They must ordered down from Salt Lake City for a small cost and used in the History Centers themselves on the microfilm readers. The films will stay in the center for several weeks so you have time to avail yourself of looking at them. If you are unfamiliar with how to do this, there are people available at the centers who will help you. I do not know how many of the Missouri Counties have these records available. I stumbled upon them by accident in Franklin County, and then because I also was researching in Washington County, I discovered them there also. Good luck, and happy hunting. Bobby in California

Hey Listers The real hard work in tracing African American ancestors comes from reading the microfilm and transcribing a variety of documents. My website has a variety of documents available because of the volunteer efforts of other researchers. Washington and Franklin county black marriages and several others are available via the links below. http://www.missouri-slave-data.org/wasmarriage2.html http://www.missouri-slave-data.org/franklincomar.htm For other items: http://www.missouri-slave-data.org/Document.html I have two websites: http://www.missouri-slave-data.org/ The mirror site at: http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/topic/afro-amer/indexusg.html Over the past 2 years I have continued to ask other researchers to submit their slave related data that they come across. If you find a will, probate record, letter or final settlement listing or even bible records that mentions slaves; you can post this information at: You can view QUERIES here: http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/topic/afro-amer/webbbs/queries/index.cgi?index post and view WILLS: http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/topic/afro-amer/webbbs/wills/index.cgi post and view OBITUARIES http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/topic/afro-amer/webbbs/obits/index.cgi post and view PROBATE RECORDS -- I have several records of the WALKER family -- but have not had the time to transcribe... I will work on getting this up one by one. http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/topic/afro-amer/webbbs/probate/index.cgi view and post LAND RECORDS: http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/topic/afro-amer/webbbs/land/index.cgi view and post TAX RECORDS: http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/topic/afro-amer/webbbs/tax/index.cgi view and post PRIVATE FAMILY RECORDS http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/topic/afro-amer/webbbs/private/index.cgi There is also a page for other slave schedules, marriage records etc. http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/topic/afro-amer/slaveinfo.html http://www.missouri-slave-data.org/slaveinfo.html Since Missouri was settled from families from Louisiana, Kentucky and Virginia.. you may have slave data that connects to the Missouri families...you are welcome to post that data here: please don't forget to NOTE the date, page number, volume etc., of where you found the information. If you want to scan a document and email it to me.. .I will put it online as soon as I can. This page has alot of goodies that I have scanned http://www.missouri-slave-data.org/Document.html You can ALSO submit non-Missouri related slave data to slavedata@afrigeneas.com I also have a group of volunteers transcribing the Missouri slave ledger of Slave Trader John R. White -- if you are interested in volunteering let me know. If you have resources or materials to do look ups for others... that is also of interest. Histories of the various counties can be very helpful for African American researchers who are trying to get background historical and genealogical information on the slave owning families. Also.. there is a very large database detailing the Frontier Families of Missouri: http://www.missouri-slave-data.org/upperla/index.html http://www.usgennet.org/usa/mo/topic/afro-amer/upperla/index.html My email box crashed yesterday -- so if you have sent me slave related data in the past couple of months... most of it was wiped out. If you want to resend it -- or post it to the links noted above -- that would be great. I am able to go back and VIEW my old email -- but it will take some time to retrieve and cut and paste it. AND if you have an new email address or snail mail address -- please let me know. Thanks in advance to EVERYONE who has been supporting and assisting others seeking enslaved ancestors from Missouri. And yes.. I owe everyone an updated report on My last two trips to MO.. which were incredible... lots of information to share and not enough time to do it ALL. My sites also need some updating.. feel free to drop me a line if you find a broken link etc., if you have some data that you've transcribed in MS WORD.. it can be put into html and put online almost instantly!!! With a big heart! Traci Wilson-Kleekamp African Americans in Missouri

Traci, Marsha here again. I just went back to your email and clicked on the links again and they came up just fine. Sorry. I still need to know if wills mentioning slaves are welcome information, though. Marsha McGee Bowen

I'd just like to add that in addition to the Family History Centers, many local libraries also have Special Collections, AND there are local genealogy societies, AND if you subscribe to the genealogy society in the area(county, state) of your special interest, many of them usually produce newletters/magazines that are sent out several times a year. I found several ancestors through these useful tools and eagerly await each new one I receive. Your participation as a subscriber (to as many as you can afford) not only affords you these magazines, but helps support and keep the organizations viable. Subscriptions are not expensive either, and it's a lot cheaper than going there in person! (Going/visiting an area in person is a whole other topic.) Ranee in San Diego Bobby in California wrote: Subject: [MOFRANKL-L] BLACK RESEARCH IN MISSOURI > I hope all of you looking in Missouri are utilizing other resources than what > you find on the Internet. I know for a fact that in the LDS Microfilm of > Marriages in both Franklin County and Washington County -- at the end of each > roll there are filmed records of black marriages in these counties. But > there is more than just marriages!