893 documented Black ancestors — traced through census, vital, cemetery, and newspaper records. Every name below is a real person in the public record.
A documented family surname appearing throughout the public record, traced here through census, vital, and cemetery records.
Documented across the American record; part of a growing network of family histories.
Deceased Black ancestors, earliest first. Living family members are deliberately omitted.
If any of these names are yours, we can trace your full Black history — both sides, back to the documented wall — as a written book and an interactive family site. No DNA test required.
See how it works →A documented family surname appearing throughout the public record, traced here through census, vital, and cemetery records.
The documented line here reaches back to 1859. Most Black lines can be traced to the end of the surviving public record.
No. Deceased ancestors only, from public records. Living people are excluded for privacy.
If a name here matches your family, it may well be. A full documented build confirms exactly how your line connects.
Part of a network of documented family histories: