African American Research at The Maryland State Archives
The Study of the Legacy of Slavery in Maryland Program seeks to preserve and promote the vast universe of experiences that have shaped the lives of Maryland's African American population. From the day that Mathias de Sousa and Francisco landed in St. Mary's county aboard the Ark and the Dove in 1634, Black Marylanders have made significant contributions to both the state and nation in the political, economic, agricultural, legal, and domestic arenas. Despite what often seemed like insurmountable odds, Marylanders of Color have adapted, evolved, and prevailed. The Maryland State Archives' Study of the Legacy of Slavery Staff invites researchers to explore all of these elements and more within its numerous source documents, exhibits and interactive online presentations.
African Americans in Maryland, African American Resources and Freedom Records of Prince George's County list the multiple primary and secondary source materials housed at the Maryland State Archives for study. These finding aids catalog various series of slavery related records such as Certificates of Freedom and Manumissions.
Documents in the Classroom are online packets of topically arranged materials designed specifically for use by teachers and students. The references contained in the packets provide a basis of study on a particular aspect of African American life such as the Civil War, In the Aftermath of Glory, and the post civil war struggle to fully realize equal citizenship, From Segregation to Integration.
|| Auxiliary Sites ||
Auxiliary Sites highlight specific collections of materials which provide launching points for in-depth study. For example, a Prince George's County Maryland resident wishing to research their genealogy may decide to explore Volume 365, Searching for Ancestors Who Were Slaves: An Index to the Freedom Records of Prince George's County Maryland, 1808-1869. An individual wishing to explore the Underground Railroad may want to pass through Beneath the Underground Railroad in Maryland, Flight to Freedom, Stories of Flight, Interactive Maps, and Runaway Slave Advertisements. In addition, Legacy of Slavery Research Presentations offer the experienced and novice historian a glance at some of the topics our own Legacy of Slavery staff have broached in seeking to further examine African American life in Maryland.
Study of the Legacy of Slavery in Maryland Exhibits OnlineThe goal of the Legacy of Slavery Exhibits Online is to inform, promote and display various people, places and events.
Judge Lynch's Court Mob Justice in Maryland During the Age of Jim Crow, 1860s - 1930s
Belair at Bowie: Flight to FreedomThe information contained within is illustrative of the complexities of enslavement as it existed in this Prince George's County community between 1830 and 1860.
Archives of Maryland
Volume 365Searching for Ancestors Who Were Slaves: An Index to the Freedom Records of Prince George's County Maryland, 1808-1869.
Volume 366History and Roster of Maryland Volunteers War of 1861-5 Volume 2. This volume covers sailors, marines and colored troops.
Volume 369Slave Statistics of St. Mary's County Maryland 1864. The Slave Statistics consist of lists of slaves owned as of 1 November 1864, the date when the Constitution of 1864, which abolished slavery in Maryland.
William Still's Underground RailroadWilliam Still's stories of Maryland's escaped slaves.
Beneath the Underground Railroad in MarylandFlight to Freedom, Stories of Flight, Interactive Maps, and Runaway Slave Advertisements.
Blacks in AnnapolisBlacks in Annapolis seeks to explore the lives of native born, immigrant enslaved, and free blacks who contributed to over three hundred years of Annapolis history.
Legacy of Slavery Research Presentations
African American Landowners in MarylandPresented by Millington Lockwood.
Calender of Maryland's African American HistoryPresented by John Gartrell.
Learning from the PastPresented by Kara Carter.
Rebel Women On and Off the PlantationPresented by Maya Davis.