Monday, March 18, 2024

DNA Spring Cleaning: A Must Do

We say "test as many as we can, but wisely." This has been the a3Genealogy and the DNA Community mantra since about 2009. Now it's time to do some Spring Cleaning.

Don't Lose Your DNA Testing Results
I've heard many of you have not securely saved or downloaded you Raw DNA. You will want to do that and here's why...

If you have tested, or have had elder relatives tests, be sure to download your Raw Data to your personal computer. Why, because if  a company goes defunct, so might the DNA testing results along with the RawData on that company - never to be retrieved again. A good example is that I would want to preserve my deceased mother's DNA results.

Why Mention Now?
Have you been keeping up with the 23andMe Security Breach Debacle? 

Wired: 5 Dec 2023
Wall Street Journal, Rolfe Winkler, 31 Jan 2024 
FastCompany, 31 Jan 2024
  




Will they recover? The stock shares are now, at best, Penny Stocks. Will they survive? If they fail, will the DNA Raw Data of your loved ones be accessible?  

What Can You Do?
In addition to downloading your DNA Raw Data to a secured file, you will want to upload your Raw Data to MyHeritage and FamilyTreeDNA.  Besides expanding your cousin matches to analyze, you will receive additional resources.  

How to download from 23andMe?
You can access your raw genetic data within your 23andMe account one of three ways:
First: Login to 23andMe

  1. Navigate directly to you.23andme.com/tools/data/
  2. Click on your profile name on the top right-hand corner of your homepage, and select Resources from the dropdown menu.Then select “Browse Raw Genotyping Data” and then “Download” at the top of the page.
  3. Visit your Account Settings and click on “View” under 23andMe Data.

Here are full instructions if needed: Accessing Your Raw Genetic Data

Upload to MyHeritage
linktr.ee/hittinthebricks
Once on your computer, you can upload this data for free on MyHeritage.com.  Just create a free account and follow these instructions:Upload DNA Data to MyHeritage.

By the way did you know our partner Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen podcast are giving away a Free MyHeritage Complete Package for a year (value $300). To learn more about the Free MyHeritage Complete Package Giveaway, just subscribe to the linktr.ee/hittinthebricks site. It's a monthly drawing, no newsletters, no selling, just a drawing for our subscribers. 

Upload to FamilyTreeDNA
Go to this link to Upload your DNA data

What About AncestryDNA
Note: You cannot upload to ancestryDNA.  
But, you should download your Raw Data from the AncestryDNA kits also and store in a secured place for a backup. Here Is that Downloading DNA Data from AncestryDNA instructions. 

Be sure to share this post with your DNA testing cousins. 

Kathleen Brandt
a3Genealogy@gmail.com

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Revolutionary War Research - Ridiculous Mistakes



Many of you have asked how to see the North Carolina original records of Ned Griffin, our subject of the Hittin' the Bricks Podcast Episode:  Finding Ned: Church Records, Court Papers & Contracts. Let's be reminded that there are tons of paper waiting for your discoving.  Here are out top 5 Revolutionary War research go to record collections: 

1) Land Records.
Edward Griffin: Revolutionary Soldier, Proquest

One way to prove parentage and ancestral lines is to prove land inheritance. This was used in uncovering Ned Griffin's movements. These records can show when and where land was probated and to whom. Land records often name children, spouse or siblings. If not close ties to others in the community. They too should be researched. Minor children may be named and guardians.

2) Guardianship Records. Mothers were not usually granted guardianship of their minor children during the Revolutionary War Era, but if they did, it usually was through the court system. So a guardianship record should be available for any minors. These records would list minor heirs and guardians and maybe even other inventory and probated information.

3) Church Records. During the Revolutionary War Era churches kept a lot of family records to include children baptism, christening, marriage banns, and licenses. You are doing a disservice if you haven’t researched these genealogical gems.

4) Newspapers and Journals. Don’t forget newspapers and journals. Don’t underestimate the holdings at Local public libraries and State Archives.

5. Other Court Records. Early American court records are the best. It took Ned from 1783 to 1784 to get his case tried, heard and settled from the North Carolina General Assembly. But it allowed plenty of time form the court to gather depositions, statements, affidavits and a law changing decision.

The court record, that is popularly known as An Act for Enfranchising Ned Griffin, Late the Property of William Kitchen, and was recorded in 1784 April 19, 1784 - June 03, 1784; Volume 24, Pages 543 - 649.

In 2000-2004 when seeking this record, there was not yet a digitized copy, but I wanted to avoid abstracts or transcriptions. I know, early records are challenging to read, but so much can be lost, or typos can lead to misinterpreting using abstracts or transcriptions of court records. Be sure to get at minimum a full image of the original record (with any sidebar scribbles).

Three More Life Lines  
  •  State Archive
  •  NARA State Collections 
  •  Congressional Serial Set 

 

Colonial and early American records are most assuredly, if extant, held in the State Archives, but don't forget the State Collections held within the National Archive and Records Administration (NARA).  And one of my favorites, the Congressional Serial Set records hold a wealth of information on the colonies as laws were being made for new Colony and later states.  

But Don't Rely on Abstracts 
Absracts usually address someone else's genealogical question.  Although we are greatful for them, the abstractor (is that a word?) had an agenda. You are looking for the citation! Where was the resource held at the time of abstraction? Which book, volume, and  page can I find the information. When the date of abstract took place helps us guide the repository when the book was spotted at their repository. 

Ned Griffin's full 17 page NC General Assembly Session Records of case, has now been digitized on the North Carolina Digital website with witness statements and hearing information, but that was not the case in 2000-2002 during my initial search.

Let's look at issues with his Abstract at that Time
The North Carolina Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), published the story of Ned in abstract form in 1932.  So many details were missing. The first being that he was a man of color, but they also used the name Edward Griffin, Pvt, to describe him. If we only relied on secondary sources or artists interpretations, we would be missing the facts. Here are a few: 

1)  Ned was considered mulatto, and mixed blood.  The statue that honors him does not capture that description.
2) Wm Kitchen was a deserter in 1781, and needed a substitute.
3) Ned served Griffin's stead from Jun 1781  - Jun 1783
4) Ned not only got his freedom but 640 acres of land in 1783.
5) For his freedom, Ned was required to serve the remainder of Wm. Kitchen's term.
6) Ned entered into service as a free man.
7) Wm. Kitchen "seized" and resold Ned Griffin to Abner Roberson.




As mentioned in the podcast, Ned was supported by the community and military. There were several affidavits and secured states to inlcude 1) Lt. Col Murfree of Camp near Bacon Bridge, in Jul 1782,
2) Joseph Fort's affidavit of Edgecombe County dated March 1784, who was able to recall a 1781 conversation between Ned's original enslaver, William Griffin & William Kitchen 3)William Griffin, the earlier enslaver.

Kathleen Brandt
a3genealogy@gmail.com

Saturday, February 10, 2024

One Document, Three New Questions


If you know the work of Kathleen of Hittin' the Bricks with Kathleen, a DIY podcast, you already know the mantra "One Document, Three New Questions." This is for all to practice: family historians, professional genealogists, the a3genealogy and Tracing Ancestors Interns, historical researchers and presentation attendees from beginners to advanced.

Each documents gives us a minimum of 3 new genealogical questions; each genealogical question garners a new research plan.

Notice I said MINIMUM of 3.  In this example, recently placed on social media, Kathleen clearly exceeded the 3 new questions from a newspaper ad. She implied there are still more, but here's a great place to start her  "One Document, Three New Questions" practice to meet her genealogical questions,

Known info:
1) counting the infant child, 24 enslaved persons were scheduled to be on an auction block 10 Jan 1855
2) the women, Sally the cook and Lize the new mother, were named; but non of the men.
3) sure the newspaper that covered the Cheapside slave market in Lexington named buyers
4) John Carter kept, or bred, his enslaved men and women.
5) John Carter of Indiana lived in Lewis County Ky until 1855 with a Clarksburg, Ky post office.

Questions:
1) Who were the local slave traders? They may have purchased the "lot."
2) Why, in 1855, did Carter, known for raising "slaves" remove to a free slave state? Indiana at the time was a state full of Quakers and abolitionists. Yet, he auctioned off his own persons?
3) What can we learn about the Quick Run Plantation owners, deeds, wills of previous owner, etc ?
4)  What is the significance (bragging rights) of "All Raised on the CARTER PLANTATION at QUICK'S RUN?"
5) Who was the immediate family and in-laws of John Carter? 

Thursday, February 1, 2024

The Anomalies of Placing Out Children & Babies



 NATIONAL ORPHAN TRAIN COMPLEX MUSEUM AND RESEARCH CENTER

Orphan Train Movement 1854-1929
Like any other massive immigration movement, the United States, although known as the land of ‘milk and honey,’ had the reality of tenements, scarce jobs, and insufficient provisions for the over four million arrivers. These newcomers faced unsanitary living conditions, diseases due to the lack of sanitary living quarters and work environment, and risky jobs without safety measures where many of the men faced their demise leaving overworked mothers at home with young children who may have begun working as early as age six. Due to the high death rate of parents, or their heavy burden, these children were often abandoned or orphaned, left to feign for themselves.

By 1854 there were over 30,000 children living in the New York City streets.  But this was a growing issue especially in overcrowded eastern cities. Two organizations took noticed: The Children’s Aid Society (CAS) led by  Charles Loring Brace; and The New York Founding Hospital. These two organizations worked to place orphans into suitable homes and other over crowded children's homes joined in these efforts. By transporting children by train across America all 48 states were participating in housing homeless children.

The 1880 US Federal Census New York Juvenile Asylum, NY, NY gives us an indication of the homelessness of some of these children who were placed in Illinois (as well as other states). For more information read: Children of Orphan Trains: From New York to Illinois and Beyond.


This Orphan Train Movement, 1854-1929, placed over 150,000 orphaned and abandoned children, babies to teenagers, in homes of every state with the majority being placed in rural Midwestern homes. NY orphaned children moved across America, sometimes as many as 20-30 in a train with a couple of adult caretakers, and were presented to small town America donning new outfits, in hopes of being chosen by a family. Siblings were often separated in spite of efforts to keep them within one family unit.

Irish Orphans Placed in Mexican Homes, AZ
The largest conflict of placing out children was in the Arizona Territory. In 1904 Arizona Territory orphan train placements from a New York Foundling Hospital (Catholic) sent 40 white children, mostly Irish, between the ages 2 to 6. The Arizona French-born Catholic priest who led the Clifton, AZ Sacred Heart Catholic Church saw no issue with 24 of the orphan children being placed in reputable Mexican households. Less than 8 hours later, a mob of over 400 people gathered to "reclaim" babies from the Mexican families. This fight was escalated and Clifton vigilantes successfully kidnapped 17 more of the Irish orphans. The sensationalized legal battle that followed was taken to the Arizona Territorial Supreme Court. Many newspapers accused the children as having been taken to Arizona as part of a slave ring. Oh...this is a story in itself!

Children of Color, Italians, Armenian's and the Finish, were usually sent to orphanages that accepted them.  

Black Orphans Needed Homes Too
Black children were included but with a different process. Although they too travelled the country as orphans and half orphans, it must be noted there was usually an agency to receive them at the train station. Many of the Black children were placed in Leavenworth Catholic where a partnering Black Catholic Orphanage arranged housing and care for their wards.  As housing was not as plentiful, many of these orphanages were subsequently transported to institutions to learn a trade. 
There was a Colored Orphan Asylum on Fifth Avenue between 43rd and 44th street in NY that was burnt down during the New York City Draft Riots of 1863, leaving 233 black children homeless. Brace of the CAS was able to assist these children in other ways, but avoided controversy of aiding the African American community as CAS depended on financial donations from those that did not embrace the black community.


Some of the adopted out orphaned and abandoned children were integrated into families, attended school, did chores, etc., others were merely cheap farm labor, housekeepers, cooks, or shop laborers. Some landed in what would now be considered abusive homes. It was believed, in spite of this, that they probably fared better than their street life in New York. 

Best Resources to Begin Research
  • Newspapers. The Orphan Train Movement was chronicled in every newspaper in the USA. You may wish to review Orphan Trains brought Homeless NYC children to Work On Farms Out West.
  • Historical Societies. Many of the local museums and libraries will have information on foundling hospitals and local orphans. Here's the New York Historical Society Museum & Library Foundling Hospital information 1869-2009
  • Midwest Repositories. The announcements of the trains expecting arrival and adoptions were not only in the newspapers, but organizations and churches also promoted and kept loose information on the orphans: where were they placed, what was the agreement, etc.  The National Orphan Train Complex, Museum & Research  Center in Concordia, KS is a good place to start.  

a3Genealogy
Accurate, Accessible Answers
a3genealogy@gmail.com

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Don't Let It Happen to Genealogy Societies






Preserving Our Heritage:
Supporting Local Genealogy Societies

I'm from small town Kansas. Well not really, but I spent every summer in small town Kansas with grandparents. Lyons, Rice County, Kansas to be exact. We had the best Ma and Pa shops, generational shops, a 5 and dime store, (3, YES! 3) small grocers...then Walmart entered the picture. I was probably out of college by then, so I got to see the town close doors because, as you may already know, few would call Walmart a team player. They came in, under priced the little Ma and Pa shops, and within a few years had what most thought as a "one stop shop," not noticing that there was no more competition. As I said Walmart is not noted for being a team players.

As soon as the competition was annihilated, Walmart no longer had to be competitive. The were able to put forth limited offerings while defining the "shopping" experience in Lyons, KS. Oh...and they most often got tax breaks to stay in town. Walmart had a system and the money backing them, even through tax payer money, allowed for them to push out the little guy.

I'm hoping the family historian and genealogists actively fight against this from happening to local genealogical societies and local repositories. We need the small town genealogical societies. Heck, we need the Kansas City genealogical societies to survive. Most have dues of $5 - $50 dollars. Societies rely on donations to heat the building, to staff the operation, to bring in speakers. Societies aren't afforded tax breaks, or taxpayer dollars. They aren't big libraries with multiple branches funded by the taxpayer. They rely on charitable donors. But, they can do wonders with a small budget. And, what they do best is preserve the local history and they can put it in perspective for you.

Societies vs Libraries 
In addition to preserving local history and having historical documents and preserved histories, and often unpublished histories, small town America wants you to visit them. Visit their libraries, their cemeteries, their museums, eat at their diners all while taking out the time to walk the ground of your ancestors. They give us an excuse to get away from the databases that you can access from your hometown library. Small town America has what large repositories and libraries don't have - perspective. T

The locals have people who knew your people. The locals have the pics of their grandparents, often with yours identified in their family albums. They have antique stores filled with old bibles that you may identify, but time has lost the old-timers.

Even in Kansas City, where we have the the National Frontier Trails Museum, National Archives - KC, the Truman Presidential Library, Eisenhower and Hoover Presidential Libraries not far out of reach, the Midwest Genealogy Center, and the Kansas City branch of The State Historical Society, there's still a need for those who speak the language of the locals. That's when professional genealogists turn to the Clay County Historical Society & Museum. It is there where I uncovered documents for both 1) Who Do You Think You Are, Tim McGraw episode and 2) the Kearney MO episode of The Dead Files 3) plus a plethora of clients whose ancestors settled or passed through Missouri.

These specialized local repositories, like the Midwest Afro-American Genealogical Interest Coalition M.A.G.I. C: not only hold family records and vertical files in their holdings, like the other specialized local repositories, they all have someone, or can contact someone, who can be interviewed or have expertise in a field. They have community connections.

There is no "one-stop shop" for genealogy - not even the FamilySearch Library, Salt Lake City with their massive collection. Now they play fair! They support the local genealogical communities, lineage and hereditary societies, and they partner with the smaller societies because they recognize the fact that smaller societies-specialty societies and repositories - have something to offer. There's room for all. I like to say it's synergetic.

A few years back, on my last visit to Allen County, IN, there was a small local entity that needed to boost their funding, and donor contribution. Instead of smothering their membership growth, the Allen County Public Library stepped in and partnered with them in their effort. It was a great event, well attended. A great use of taxpayer dollars - keep the community viable.

What Can the Large Genealogy Libraries Do?
First they must understand, once again, diversity. The more the merrier should be the mantra when it comes to topic specialists and experienced genealogists working with the large libraries. My mother, who was a librarian and specialized in archival research, was not a historian. She was limited, as many are, from classic schoolbook sanitization of history. But, boy!, did she know her collections and the databases the library held. Thirty-two years allowed her to span actually 3 generations of high schoolers.

Mother could put her finger on the card catalog of every vertical file and finding aid like Quick Draw McGraw. She was from western Kansas after all! She may have even known local histories, but not necessarily the importance of a cultural or societal incident that may have changed the trajectory of a place, person, or community. Not once did Mother say ""Now hold on there!" and "I'll do the thin'in' around here and don't you forget it!" Instead her philosophy was "when one grows, we all grow."

Secondly, they might wish to embrace "community partnership." For the most part, I think most libraries do just that. Just like we've seen in the Walmart small town takeovers, the quality of genealogical programming can be diminished if the family genealogists has limited exposure. This is probably why the KC metro based Midwest Genealogy Center has traditionally partnered for an annual event with M.A.G.I.C, the Midwest Afro-American Genealogical Interest Coalition. This kind of partnership and specialized programming is needed and appreciated by the community.

Our family stories, though not usually shy of birthdate, marriage date, death date and census records, is not usually uncovered due to lack of research outreach. The information needed is widespread, and the local societies may hold the experts needed to guide us to our genealogical answers. Our ancestors were more than parents, offsprings, and dates; and the records needed are not always on a convenient database or in a "big" genealogical library.

Thirdly, know that limiting access to quality, and pushing specialists out of the market is the work of genealogical society bullies. They are not team players. They are like Walmart, bullies getting rid of what they consider competition vs. choices. Donors, say no to bulling!

Bullying often leads to genealogical societies losing members and membership dues. I personally think the goal is for the bully to inherit records. But, bullying results into destroying what should have been preserved - the genealogical community.

Sure the larger genealogical research libraries house books, databases and even original records, but even your favorite library should not be a "one stop shop." Our ancestors were unique.

We Partner with the Locals

Board of Tracing Ancestors
Kathleen Brandt, President
Collaborative Article: Interns

Saturday, December 23, 2023

Little Dixie - Tracing Pre-Civil War Ancestors

 



Did Your Ancestor Go to Missouri?
I was recently asked "where did enslavers come from in order to settle in Missouri?" The answer is many of the Missouri slaveholders came from Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee and the Carolinas.

The largest slave holding counties in Missouri were around Saline County: Boone, Manitou, Howard, Chariton, Cooper,  Clay, Ray, and Lafayette counties. These counties are within 90 miles of one another and nicknamed Little Dixie. Researchers will quickly learn that if you find an ancestor in one, it will behoove you to expand your research to include the neighboring counties.

Why did Plantation Owners Move to Missouri?
The Missouri land was ready for cultivation of familiar crops - hemp and tobacco. Even the transplant planters familiar with cotton growing knew that growing hemp and tobacco was similar and required an easy transition with the work of slaves. Eighteen percent (18%) of Missouri’s hemp crop was cultivated in Saline County (before 1861).

What You May Not Know
Even if you have a Mississippi ancestor, finding ties to Saline County Missouri may be found in agricultural records. Did you know that Missouri shipments, mostly from Claiborne Fox Jackson’s company in Saline County, shipped commodities -  hemp, corn, oats, salt, pork, beef – to Natchez Mississippi to feed the cotton field slaves?

Slavery in the Kansas Territory?

Full Census
Finding Records
Descendants of slaves know, too well, that researching their ancestors involve thorough the enslaver's documentation. However, the same applies when researching slaveholders. Many vital records of enslaved people before the Civil War, and many after emancipation can be used to trace 1) formerly enslaved ancestors 2) abolitionists 3) enslavers.

We can often determine slaveholder whereabouts after the Civil War using original documents. Ex-slaveholders were directly tied to newly freed persons and their identities for years following the Civil War. Here are just a few examples: 
Saline County Colored Marriages, 1865 - 1870
  1. The sale of an enslaved family, or person, is noted in the deeds of the enslaver. 
  2. Ship manifests transporting enslaved people often name the enslaver *S1: Ep2 "Ships & Plantations - Kansas Ancestor McKinney"
  3. After the Civil-War, formerly enslaved persons were documented in Civil War pension records *S3:Ep4 Combing the Barbers: KS, MO KY
  4. Legalization of former slave marriages and other freedman bureau record the enslaver and a place of origin. *S3:Ep4 Combing the Barbers: KS, MO KY
  5. Some enslavers insured their valuable "slaves" through Slave Era Insurance Policies. Read The Telling Records of Insured Slaves 1640-1865.
  6. After the Civil War, ancestors left a money trail to follow through the Southern Claims Commission. Read A Gem: Southern Claims Commission Case Files
  7. Border states also had Slave Claims.  (Future blogpost scheduled)
  8. Territorial records may include the baptism and sacraments of enslaved persons also referencing the enslaver. Read 5 Resources to Tracing Missouri Territorial Ancestors.
  9. Runaway persons were noted in newspapers by their first name tied to the enslaver, location and sometimes name of plantation*S3:Ep4 Combing the Barbers: KS, MO KY
  10. Abolitionists may have been associated with a church leading us to church records.*S3:Ep4 Combing the Barbers: KS, MO KY  (Future blogpost scheduled).
Kathleen Brandt
Accurate, accessible answers
Website: a3Genealogy.com   

Thursday, December 14, 2023

A Gem: Southern Claims Commission Case Files


I would be remiss if I did not share a favorite presentation of a3Genealogy entitled Claim It! which highlights the Southern Claims Commission Case Files. I also wanted to provide a few updates, for example, I learned recently, many did not know there was a Master Index on ancestry.com.

That should get you started.  But you will want to really scour the archives.  By the way, just because your ancestor did not make a claim, or mentioned in the index, does not mean he (or she) is not mentioned in the neighbors' claims. I have a tendency of reading quite a few claims in the community to unscramble relationships. 

Why Research Southern Claims Commission Case Files?

This record collection can lead the family researcher / genealogists to uncover more on their ancestors, as it holds a wealth of historical information on the community, kinships, and proof of applicants’ claims.

Kinship

Plantation conditions

Vital records

Location of residence(s)

War service

Property ownership

Name changes

Manumission

Slave ownership: often with names

Slave loyalty 

 Making a Claim: Who, What, When, Where & How  

Q: Who could make a claim?  And, Who did it? 

A: Union Loyalists / Supporters. This included property owners during the Civil War, former slaves and free born coloreds.  Basically, if it was your ancestors’ property, and they allowed for the Union Army/Navy to use their property, and can prove it, many filed a claim. There were 22, 298 claims and about 220,000 witnesses.  Witness may have been a slave or ‘free-colored.” 

QWhat could be claimed?
       A: Property. This was a property Reimbursement procedure put in place.

 
Q: When could the union loyalists/supporters make the claim?
     A: 1871-1873

 Q: Where (or Which) states were eligible?
       A: 12 southern state

     Q. How to make a claim?
     A: With proof and most often witnesses. Researchers will find proof in the form of a petition accompanied by testimonies; depositions of witnesses and reports penned by special agents.

 Slaveholder, Ex-Slave, Free Coloreds

As mentioned, the claims were based on reimbursement for the Union to use property (horse, mule, food from storage, slave, etc. But, the claims were a bit different to prove 1) ownership 2) proof of value.

 Slaveholder had to provide proof of …

  • Being an abolitionist or union supporter
  • Owning a plantation and having a loss
  • Claimant information to prove kinships
  • Places of residences
  • Wills and probates if pertinent to the claim (ownership)

 Free- Coloreds had to provide proof of …

  • Legally manumitted: manumission papers proof
  • War Service
  • Proof of kinship, inheritance

Slave: Ex slaves could also claim but had to prove...

  • Slaveholder information
  • War Service (contraband)
  • Name Changes
  • Property Ownership

Where are the Records
These records have been digitized on ancestry.com and fold3.com The originals and microfilmed versions are held in NARA Record Group 217 for the approved / settled claims.  For more information read NARA Southern Commission Case Files and Approved Case Files, 1871 - 1880 

Disallowed (failed to prove), and barred claims (often because they did not meet the deadline of 3 Mar 1873), can be found in RG233, House of Representatives or at Fold3 partially digitized. (We've had 100% success of uncovering the counties for our clients on Fold3.  But some county records may notbe included here and only located at NARA. 

Slave Compensation Claims

Although this will require a separate blog, let’s not confuse the Southern Claims Commission Case Files with the Slave Compensation Claims which was compensation for loss of slave’s free labor.

Slave Compensation Claims allowed loyal slaveholders in the Boarder States, think Kentucky, Missouri, Delaware, Maryland (and some neighboring states), to be compensated for permitting their slaves to enlist in the Union efforts ($300); or were drafted ($100).

More to come on Slave Compensation Claims.

America's History is Our History!
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