Welcome to the last blog post for Family History Month! I hope you have enjoyed our discussions about learning how to research your family tree and learn your family history. There are certain misconceptions prevalent in genealogy. Many either misunderstand or misuse certain genealogical terms. I just want to take some time to set the record straight for a few things.
Plantations and Estates vs. Farms
The American South had approximately 46,000 plantations at the height of slavery. The sprawling plantations in the movies Roots, Gone With the Wind or Django Unchained are what we think of when we hear that word. However, the 46,000 count included smaller farms. So, what is the difference between a plantation and a farm?
A plantation was a large acreage of land whose main economic source was commercial crops. Plantation crops were sold strictly for profit. A farm was a small acreage of land whose crops were for commercial and private use. Many assume that the enslaved were only on plantations. This is not true. The enslaved worked on both plantations and farms. If you get a chance, review the 1850 and 1860 Federal Census Slave Schedules on the National Archives website. You will find plantations with over one hundred enslaved people as well as small farms with two or three enslaved people.
The Term ‘Slave’ vs ‘Enslaved’ and ‘Slaveowner/Master’ vs. ‘Enslaver’
Historians and genealogists have worked hard to transition people’s verbiage when it comes to slavery. There has been a push from saying ‘slaves’ to ‘the enslaved;’ the new term separates the person’s identity from their circumstance. Those that use the term ‘slave’ feed into the dehumanization of Africans who were seen as property. Instead, they should view those enslaved as people who had to have slavery imposed upon them based on racism and prejudice. For that same reason, the shift from the terms ‘slaveowner’ and ‘master’ have the same connotation, giving power and dominance to the enslaver and dehumanizing the enslaved.
Libraries vs Archives
I did not realize the difference between these two repositories until I visited the North Carolina State Archives while working on my Masters in History about four years ago. Well, I quickly discovered that there was a HUGE difference. Libraries are buildings that contain published materials to which the public has direct access. Visitors to libraries can review these materials either in-house or have the ability to check out items for a limited period of time. Archives are buildings that contain unpublished materials that are preserved because of their historical, genealogical or cultural value. Depending on the age and condition of the materials, the public has in-house access only under the watchful eye of an archivist. These materials include financial records, diaries, family bibles, newspapers, and other sensitive items that are incredibly old.
A Middle Initial for Women Does Not Always Mean There Is a Middle Name
Nowadays, most people have a middle name. Middle names became popular in the 1700s among the rich. Then, everyone liked the idea, especially when family members named their children after a relative. However, not everyone is graced with a middle name at birth.
Recently, I had a client that wanted me to find out her great-grandmother’s middle name. There were documents that had an “R” as an initial. I looked at multiple records and could not find anything to say about her middle name. Finally, I found a picture of her headstone with her full name written on it. After marriage, she used her maiden name (Reagan) as her middle name! She abbreviated the maiden name to an initial on official documents. I should have known this! My April 2022 newsletter addressed this same thing as I stated that women from wealthy families kept their maiden names after marriage because it was their status symbol for recognition in high society. I could have saved myself some time.
Family History vs. Genealogy
Did you know there was a difference? Well, your family history contains the colorful stories that your family members have passed down from generation to generation (see the blog post, Legacy, Legends, and Lies). These stories might include how your ancestors came to America, war stories from Grandpa, recollections of elementary school years, or participation in a protest march. These are stories that might be true or might be exaggerated. Genealogy is the study and research of your descendants in your family tree. The original documentation and evidence of your research prove your ancestors’ relationship with you and are 100% true. The two can mix and match – genealogical research can prove your family history.
Direct Ancestors vs. Indirect Ancestors
This is my biggest inquiry. Clients want to find a particular ancestor in their family tree. When I ask if the person they are looking for is a direct or indirect ancestor, they do not understand what I mean. Direct line ancestors are the people that are related to you through a parent-child relationship such as mother-grandmother-great grandmother, etc. Your indirect ancestors are the other people in your family tree – aunts, uncles, siblings, and cousins. Think of it this way – you are the tree trunk. The trunk splits into two branches, your maternal and paternal branches. The aunts, uncles, and cousins are the twigs that grow from the branches. Those twigs extending out from the branches are your indirect ancestors.
TODAY IS THE LAST DAY!
If you’re interested in knowing your family history but you don’t have the time or resources to do so, I have affordable packages to do the research for you. If you book the Kati or Kubwa packages TODAY before 11:59 pm, you will get a 10% discount plus a free gift! You must book and pay the 50% non-refundable deposit before 11:59 pm TONIGHT in order to receive the discounted services and free gift. Click here to contact me.