Emancipation

Main contributor: MyHeritage team

Emancipation is the act of freeing a person from restraint, control, or the power of another, especially from bondage. In the context of American history, emancipation often refers to the liberation of enslaved African Americans during the Civil War era. In contrast to manumission, which specifically refers to the legal act of freeing individual slaves by their owners, emancipation refers to the broader liberation of groups from various forms of oppression. This article will explore the concept of emancipation, its historical background, and its connection to family history research and relevant historical records.

Definition

Emancipation is derived from the Latin word "emancipatio," which means to set free or release from the control of another. In a broader sense, emancipation can refer to any situation where an individual or group gains freedom from oppressive circumstances, such as political oppression or social constraints. However, in the United States, the term is most commonly associated with the abolition of slavery and the subsequent struggles of African Americans for civil rights and equality.

Historical Background

Emancipation proclamation

Abraham Lincoln issued an executive order called the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863^[1]. The proclamation declared the liberation of slaves within the ten Confederate states that remained in rebellion against the Union. It also authorized the enrollment of freed slaves into the Union Army, thereby bolstering the Union's military strength^[2]. This proclamation was prompted, in part, by the significant casualties suffered during the Battle of Antietam and served as a stern message to the Confederate states that unless they rejoined the Union before January 1, 1863, their slaves would be emancipated^[3].

The Emancipation Proclamation had several significant effects on the course of the Civil War and the lives of African Americans. It added moral force to the Union cause, as the war for the Union became a war for freedom^[4]. It also allowed African Americans to make choices for themselves about where they labored and the type of work they performed^[5]. Furthermore, the emancipation of slaves provided more stability for African American families, who were no longer under the constant threat of being sold away to distant plantations^[6].

Post-emancipation era

After the conclusion of the Civil War and the abolishment of slavery in the United States with the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment, African-Americans faced numerous challenges as they sought to establish themselves as free citizens. Many former slaves became wage laborers for their former owners, while others migrated to urban areas in search of new opportunities^[7]. The period of Reconstruction (1865-1877) saw significant efforts to integrate African Americans into American society, including granting them the right to vote and hold public office. However, these gains were met with fierce resistance from white supremacists, who used violence and intimidation to maintain control over the newly freed population.

Family history research and historical records

Tracing the family history of African Americans who lived during the era of emancipation can be challenging. The emancipation of slaves and the subsequent societal changes led to the creation of various historical records that can provide valuable information for genealogists and family historians.

Census records

Census records are an essential resource for tracing African American family history. Prior to emancipation, enslaved individuals were often listed in census records under the names of their enslavers, with little or no personal information provided. However, after emancipation, African Americans were enumerated as free individuals in the federal census, providing researchers with valuable data such as names, ages, birthplaces, and occupations.

Military records

The enlistment of African Americans in the Union Army following the Emancipation Proclamation created a wealth of military records that can be useful for family history research. Military records may include enlistment papers, muster rolls, pension files, and service records, which can provide information on an individual's military service, as well as details about their family and life before and after the war.

Freedmen's bureau records

The Freedmen's Bureau was established in 1865 to assist newly freed African Americans in their transition to freedom. The Bureau created numerous records, including labor contracts, marriage records, educational records, and correspondence, which can provide valuable insights into the lives of African Americans during the post-emancipation era.

Local and state records

In addition to federal records, local and state records can also be valuable resources for researching African American family history. These may include property records, court documents, wills, and other legal records that can shed light on an individual's life and relationships.

Explore more about emancipation

U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865 collection on MyHeritage
U.S. census records on MyHeritage
Analyzing Probate Records of Slaveholders to Identify Enslaved Ancestors, webinar by LaBrenda Garrett-Nelson, JD, LLM, CG, CGL, FASG on Legacy Family Tree Webinars
Gradual Emancipation and Enslavement in the North, webinar by Ari Wilkins on Legacy Family Tree Webinars

References

↑ "Introduction - Emancipation Proclamation: Primary ...," August 20, 2019.
↑ "What was the main purpose of the emancipation?"
↑ "What led to the Emancipation Proclamation?"
↑ "What is the historical background of emancipation?", January 28, 2022.
↑ "How did emancipation affect African Americans?"
↑ "What effect did emancipation have on the structure of the black family?"
↑ "African American Ancestry Research to Trace Family History," February 23, 2023.