African American Genealogy Research
Useful resources for researching Black families, businesses, and individuals from the Ohio Valley Region.
Home > Research Guides > African American Genealogy Resources
Useful resources for researching Black families, businesses, and individuals from the Ohio Valley Region.
Have a question about a topic or research? Contact Us Now - gro.l1679659209aciro1679659209tsihn1679659209oslif1679659209@hcra1679659209eser1679659209
The Filson’s manuscript collection contains a vast amount of underexplored unpublished material. If you are looking for documents concerning specific Black individuals, families, organizations, or related subjects, you can search the online Manuscript Database.
The following are some records that include lists of Black individuals:
Also see the African American newspapers available at the University of Kentucky here.
The Freedman’s Bureau was established in 1865 to help formerly enslaved people navigate life after slavery.
Some of the most important resources in these records include:
Virginia Historical Society’s “Unknown No Longer”
The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database
African American Genealogy Group of Kentucky (AAGGKY)
National Park Service Soldier and Sailors Database
Natchez Mississippi Slave Certificates (1858-1861)
Appalachian African American Church Collection
Kentucky U.S. Colored Troops Project
Negro Leagues Database
Venue Rental
The Filson Historical Society is a unique venue that blends the historic with the modern and provides a stunning background for any event. Several areas of the campus are available to be rented for dinners, retreats, meetings, receptions, or parties. The venues have access to 74 free parking spaces and wifi, as well as small catering areas. All of the Filson’s facilities have accessible parking.
Visit the Filson
1310 S. 3rd St., Louisville, KY 40208
(502) 635-5083
Plan Your Visit to the Filson! To register or purchase tickets for our events, please visit our Events Page.
The Research Library is open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4:30pm; we close at 12:30 pm on the third Friday of each month. Appointments are not required, but feel free to reserve a seat online – learn more here. We also provide remote research services; please email gro.l1679659209aciro1679659209tsihn1679659209oslif1679659209@hcra1679659209eser1679659209.