Have you ever wondered how Juneteenth connects to your family history? Celebrated every June 19, Juneteenth marks the period when Union troops reached Galveston, Texas, freeing the last enslaved African Americans.
Though Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, actual freedom arrived incrementally with each Union Army military victory across the South. In this struggle for freedom, nearly 200,000 African American men, themselves, served in the Union Army’s United States Colored Troops (USCT).
For African Americans, Juneteenth inspires essential questions: Were my ancestors enslaved or free when the Civil War began? When did they gain their freedom? What paths did they forge afterward?
To answer these questions, start by speaking with older relatives to uncover names, places, and stories. Trace your family back to the 1870 census, which was the first census to list formerly enslaved people by name. With that information, you can then start to uncover which ancestors were living during the Civil War period.
When I began genealogy researching, I never expected to discover that my own second great-grandfather, Lewis, had served in the 11th USCT Infantry Regiment during the Civil War. No one in my family had ever mentioned this remarkable heritage.
His pension file revealed details about his enlistment at Fort Pickering in Memphis, Tennessee. It also mentioned plantations where he lived before the Civil War.
In addition, it contained vital information about his marriages, children, and extended family. Had my family known about his distinguished service, it would have been a source of immense pride.
However, time has a way of burying even our most significant stories. This is precisely why genealogy research is so important as it preserves our history for future generations.
The Nevada African American Genealogy Society can help you begin this journey. The Society meets monthly at the Las Vegas Family Search Center, offering support for researching family histories.
For more information about starting your genealogy search, join us on the 2nd Saturday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon at 509 S. 9th Street, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101, or contact me at Naagsvp@gmail.com.
