Black studies: a select catalog of National Archives microfilm publications. Washington: National Archives, 1984. Call #: oZ1361.N39U63 (2nd floor open shelf).
Burroughs, Tony. Black Roots: a Beginner's Guide to Tracing the African American Family Tree. New York: Fireside Book, c2001. Call # E185.96 .B94 2001 (2nd floor open shelf).
Byers, Paula K. (editor). African American genealogical sourcebook. Detroit: Gale Research, 1995. Call #: oE185.96.A444 (2nd floor open shelf).
Thackery, David T. A Bibliography of African American family history at the Newberry Library. Chicago: Newberry Library, 1993. Call #: oE185.96.T44 (2nd floor open shelf). This bibliography is now online in full with updates to 2001. Click on the title above to view.
You should also check the Library's catalogs (see GENEALOGICAL SOURCE MATERIALS)
Journal of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society. 1980 (Vol. 1) -. Call #: oCS1.A37 (2nd floor open shelf). Also index to issues 1980-1990.
The Newberry holds published indexes, transcriptions, and abstracts for many local records (marriage, probate, etc.), most of which are cataloged under the name of the county. Be sure to check the computer catalog, especially for Southern and Border state counties. The Catalog Search Strategies for Genealogists guide provides tips on searching. See also state guides.
African American genealogists usually need to consult census microfilm for Southern and Border states. The Newberry's 1870 census holdings are complete for these states (plus CDROM indexes for all states). The Newberry's 1880 microfilm holdings are complete for about half of these states. For 1880, start by using the CDROM set, 1880 Census and National Index, kept at the 2nd floor reference desk. The Newberry's 20th century holdings (1900, 1910, 1920) are limited to Illinois. Beginning researchers should consult 20th century census for states other than Illinois at the regional branch of the National Archives at 7358 South Pulaski, Chicago (phone 773.581.7816 to reserve a microfilm reader). It is usually best to start census research with 1920 and work one's way back in time. With the exception of those researching "free black" families, the census before 1870 will be of limited help, since slaves were not listed by name. Census microfilm is available on the second floor.
The Freedmen's Bureau records (concentrating in the mid-1860s) are best tackled by the experienced researcher. The Newberry has all available microfilm for the Assistant Commissioners' records (an Assistant Commissioner was responsible for a given state). Listings, including call numbers, for these sets are found under the appropriate state heading in the Thackery bibliography, which also gives reel numbers for some of the more promising material. When no reel numbers are listed, it is less likely you will want to consult the microfilmed Freedmen's Bureau records for that state. For a reel description of these records, consult the microfilm catalog Black Studies. The Newberry also holds local field office records of the Freedmen's Bureau for Arkansas and parts of Louisiana. Those for Arkansas (Call #: Microfilm 1171) may be especially useful to the researcher with roots in that state. Consult the computer catalog record to determine locations covered and reel numbers. The Thackery bibliography supplement at the 2nd floor genealogy reference desk notes the more useful records, such as marriages and labor contracts. To learn about manuscript field office records at the National Archives in Washington (these have not been filmed), see the preliminary inventory for these records on the 2nd floor open shelf (call #: oE185.2.U56). The Freedmen's Bureau microfilm sets consist of several reels. When you submit a call slip for any of these sets you must specify a call number (which covers the entire set) and also a reel number.
Most plantation records at the Newberry are part of the microfilm set Records of Ante Bellum Southern Plantations (call #: Microfilm 708). Their contents are described in the published series guides (call #: oHD1471.U5R43 on 2nd floor open shelf). Those helpful for slave genealogy are noted in the Thackery bibliography under a state heading. The states best represented in the Newberry's holdings (our set is not complete) are Virginia and South Carolina. A call slip requesting reels from this set should include the call number (Microfilm 708), a series letter, sometimes a part number, and a reel number (for example, Series F, Part 3, Reel 43). 7/96