The Burlington Iowa Public Library

African American Genealogy Resources at the Burlington Public Library

210 Court Street, Burlington, Iowa 319-753-1647

GUIDES

African American Genealogical Sourcebook edited by Paula K. Byers (GEN 973.0496 AFR / Genealogy and Local History Room).
Provides concise descriptions of records specifically useful to African American researchers as well as directories of libraries, organizations, and print and non-print resources.

Ancestors: African American Families (HOBBIES VIDEO 206 / Rotunda).
Part of the PBS series Ancestors. Full series available.

Black Roots: A Beginner's Guide to Tracing the African American Family Tree by Tony Burroughs (929.1 BUR / Adult Non-fiction area).
Readable, information-rich beginners’ manual. Highlights “traps” to avoid when you are beginning your research and provides case studies and examples.

Black Studies: A Select Catalog of National Archives Microfilm Publications (GEN 973.0496 UNI / Genealogy and Local History Room).
Describes National Archives microfilm resources and provides reel guides for each set. Particularly useful for Freedman’s Bureau records. Films may be available through interlibrary loan or a Family History Center.

Finding a Place Called Home: A Guide to African-American Genealogy and Historical Identity by Dee Parmer Woodtor (929.1 WOO / Adult Non-fiction area).
Covers beginner as well as advanced issues in African American research.

RECORDS

African Americans in the 1870 Census CD-ROM (096 / Rotunda)
Indexes heads of households and those living in households where the head of household had a different surname. Includes those who were labeled as black or mulatto in all states.

AfriGeneas
Includes transcribed records, such as funeral programs and obituaries and Georgia Slave Bills of Sale, bulletin boards, and links to other useful sites.

Born in Slavery: Slave Narratives from the Federal Writers' Project, 1936-1938
More than 2, 300 first-person accounts of slavery collected in the 1930s along with 500 photographs of former slaves.

Depositors in the Freedman's Savings and Trust Company, 1865-1874 CD-ROM (012 / Genealogy and Local History Room).
Initiated to assist newly freed slaves during and after the American Civil War, the Freedman’s Bank created records that document names and relationships of those who used the bank. Indexed by the Freedman’s Bank Records CD-ROM (SW089 / Rotunda).

Freedman's Bureau Online.
Formed in 1865, the bureau administered relief and education efforts. Site indexes some bureau records.

MILITARY

African American and American Indian Patriots of the Revolutionary War (GEN 973.7 AFR / Genealogy and Local History Room). Lists about 3000 names.

Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System
Includes brief history on Colored Troops as well as searchable database.

CEMETERIES

Lay Down Body: Living History in African American Cemeteries (929.5 HUG / Genealogy and Local History Room).
Provides historical information on various cemeteries, burial societies, and lodges.

IOWA HISTORY

African Americans in Iowa: A Chronicle of Contributions, 1830-1992 by Frances E. Hawthorne (977.7 HAW / Adult Non-fiction area).
Covers pioneers to 1992.

Iowa’s Black Legacy by Charline J. Barnes and Floyd Bumpers (977.7 BAR / Adult Non-fiction area).
Pictorial history includes a chapter on Burlington.

The Negro in Iowa by Leola Nelson Bergmann (305.896 BER / Adult Non-fiction area).
Originally published in 1949 in the Iowa Journal of History and Politics, this reprinting includes an editorial addendum, Twenty Years After, by William J. Petersen.

Outside In: African-American History in Iowa, 1838-2000 (977.7 OUT / Adult Non-fiction area).
Includes chapters on the underground railroad, churches, professions, education, and more. Many pictures.

Genealogy and Local History Room items must be used in the library.
All other items on this list may be checked out.

Last Updated 8/02