Reply #41: I am completely into finding each and every one of my ancestors

[goclark]

It is an marvelous journey.

The finding the pieces of the puzzle just knocks me out!!!

I agree, census takers were not Brain Surgeons that's for sure. I suppose we should be grateful that they were able to get the spellings of the names and ages anywhere near close. Anywhere within 5/10 years close is a miracle,especially for African Americans.

We generally start looking in 1870 and many of our ancestors had no idea what their names were/could be/what they wish they could be.

Many had no idea how old their children were and the slave records rarely listed their names, only " Female age 16" or "Male Mu 75."

That's why I want to make the struggle and hard work of my ancestors MEAN SOMETHING!
They may not have been counted in the Record Books but they sure do COUNT for me!

Thank you for your post, it meant a lot.

Oops ~ I almost forgot to mention the Freedman Records. I have searched them many times with no luck. :(

The best site on the web for African American Searches is the Award Winning ...
www.afrigeneas.com . I am proud to say that there are many superb White researchers who add their wisdom at Afrigeneas.

Best on the web,IMO for all research is www.ancestry.com

That is the greatest!