HI: I'm researching my LONG/TONEY/WALKER families in Caswell County. Have discovered that they were probably free mixed-race African Americans who may have migrated from Virginia in the 1700s. I would like to know how to go about finding out more about this migration. Have found ARTHUR TONEY and WILLIAM LONG (William Long married NANCY TONEY, possibly ARTHUR's granddaughter, in 1840 in Caswell Co.) on the freeafricanamericans.com site in the 1810 Census. All reference works/titles/bibligraphy suggestions appreciated. KBerry

Books by Dr. John Hope Franklin will probably give you as much history of this period as you can absorb. I do not have the names but know that Dr. Franklin has been the preeminent authority of the free black experience in this country for many, many years. Another scholar who is recognized as probably the next best authority after Dr. Franklin is Dr. Ira Berlin who (I believe) is a professor at the University of Maryland. There is also a professor of history at NC Central University in Durham, NC who has written a book about free black families in Caswell and surrounding counties. I have read some of Dr. Franklin's writings and heard the other 2 scholars speak at a Thomas Day Education Project symposium in the Historic Caswell County Courthouse 2 years ago. Thomas Day was born in Dinwiddie County, VA and his family was a part of this migration. A CD-Rom will soon be available (any day now) that uses his life to teach research skills. As soon as I have an opportunity, I'll post some additional info about these folks and the CD-ROM which may be helpful. Lib McPherson, President Caswell County Historical Assn. Advisory Board Member, Thomas Day Education Project. ----- Original Message ----- From: <Kdberr1@aol.com> To: <NCCASWEL-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, November 28, 2002 6:39 PM Subject: Free people of color/Caswell Co? > HI: > I'm researching my LONG/TONEY/WALKER families in Caswell County. Have > discovered that they were probably free mixed-race African Americans who may > have migrated from Virginia in the 1700s. > > I would like to know how to go about finding out more about this migration. > Have found ARTHUR TONEY and WILLIAM LONG (William Long married NANCY TONEY, > possibly ARTHUR's granddaughter, in 1840 in Caswell Co.) on the > freeafricanamericans.com site in the 1810 Census. > > All reference works/titles/bibligraphy suggestions appreciated. > KBerry > > > ============================== > To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: > http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 > >