“African Americans have served in U. S. military units continually since the colonial period, and numerous records document the contributions made by these troops. These resources are available at the National Archives, state archives, historical societies, and libraries.” (Chris Nordmann, “Basic Genealogical Research Methods and Their Application to African Americans,” in Paula K. Byers, editor, African American Genealogical Sourcebook. New York: Gale Research Inc., 1995. Part 1, p. 27.) In the example shown here Charles Lalande, a free man of color in Mobile County, Alabama, appears in the Mississippi Territory militia muster and pay rolls, War of 1812. His race does not appear on the rolls, but other records show that he was nonwhite. Did your ancestors serve in the military?
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August 2015
CategoriesAuthorI am a professional genealogist specializing in tracing the lives of African Americans. I earned my Ph.D. in history from the University of Alabama. |