African American History Resources

     Although the Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863, the news didn’t immediately reach all enslaved people. Locations that were under Confederate control did not comply with or acknowledge the proclamation. Juneteenth commemorates the date when Union troops officially delivered the news to a large population of isolated black persons in Galveston Bay, Texas on June 19, 1865.
     
      The book collection in the Tennessee Room holds some helpful resources for researching Black history and genealogy.
      Since Juneteenth will soon be followed by the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the first selection deals with a Revolutionary War resource. Forgotten Patriots: African American and American Indian Patriots in the Revolutionary War by Eric G. Grundset assembles the names of persons of color who contributed to the cause of liberty. The book is organized into chapters covering states and localities in which the patriot served. The names then appear in alphabetical order, making it a ready reference.

      On the Trail of the Buffalo Soldier by Dr. Frank N. Shubert is an comprehensive resource of thousands of names extracted from a variety of sources, including official military communiques and print media contemporary to the period. This book covers the story of the Buffalo Soldiers, troops of African American soldiers who wished to remain in the Army after the Civil War. Entries in the book are easy to navigate and well-sourced.

     The Buffalo Soldier: A Narrative of the Negro Calvary in the West  by William H. Leckie is a narrative of the experience of the Black soldiers who were channeled into the Ninth and Tenth Cavalry units which were assigned to the Western territories. Even though they they were experienced soldiers and seasoned troops, the units were commanded by White officers. Despite encountering challenges with being accepted and respected by mainstream society, these men provided the determination to tame areas of the West.  

      To read more about the origin of Juneteenth, Click here

      The Tennessee Room is closed on Friday, June 19 for the Juneteenth holiday observance. Our regular open hours are Monday - Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We are always happy to assist with history and genealogy resources in our collection.