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The long journey to freedom

Go back in time to follow the lives of hundreds of thousands of enslaved people in 19th-century North America. Using this newly expanded collection, search over 150,000 newspaper articles published before the passing of the 13th Amendment and get a rare glimpse into the stories of a community yearning for freedom.

While the collection strives to provide accurate and respectful information, it
may be
distressing or traumatic for some viewers. Ancestry does not
endorse discriminatory or racist
views, and presents this content solely for
historical and educational purposes.

Discover valuable strategies for revealing the tragedy and triumph of the people found in this
collection.
Plus, get more in-depth tips from our African American Research Guide.

Where to begin

Search details like name, location, or
other keywords to see postings about
your
enslaved ancestors that appeared in
printed publications before the 1900s.

Or explore the collection on
Newspapers.com for a historical and
contextual
understanding of the times.

The Articles of Enslavement, explained

Genealogist Nicka Sewell Smith
gives an overview.

Genealogist Nicka Sewell Smith gives an overview.

Learn about this collection's historical significance, the
types of details it can reveal, and how to search and
understand the records it contains.

Take a deeper look at the Articles of Enslavement.

Get more tips on finding formerly enslaved ancestors.

Who they were

Each freedom seeker had their own unique experience. More than just
their
names and who their former
enslavers were, this collection
reveals their
talents, roles in the
community, and struggles to be free.

The polyglot

An ad posted in the
Louisiana State Gazette
details someone called
Henry—a trilingual
enslaved man born in
Maryland who fled to freedom.
Help and betrayal

Charles Nalle fled north with the help of Harriet Tubman. Just 300 miles from freedom, and reuniting with family in Canada, things took a turn. In Troy, NY, authorities captured him with the aid of local "witnesses."
A nightmare on Christmas day

A nightmare on Christmas day

In 1863, on Christmas day, the formerly enslaved people on William Howell's estate were put up for auction. Legally free and not property, the estate followed through with the sale.

In 1863, on Christmas day,
the formerly enslaved people
on William Howell's estate were put up for auction. Legally free and
not property, the estate followed
through with the sale.
Free but not freed

Free but not freed

A Georgia-based paper published an ad for the sale of a legally-free woman (Lucy) and her five children more than two years after the passage of Proclamation 95.

A Georgia-based paper published an ad for the sale of a legally-free woman (Lucy) and her five children more than two years after the passage of Proclamation 95.
The two faces of the North

The two faces of the North

One of the earliest articles in the collection focuses on two men, Prime and Nathaniel Rockwill, who escaped enslavement. Shockingly, a paper based in the North published a reward for their return.

One of the earliest articles in the collection focuses on two men, Prime and Nathaniel Rockwill, who escaped enslavement. Shockingly, a paper based in the North published a reward for their return.
Destroyed but not forgotten

Destroyed but not forgotten

Initially enslaved in Dinwiddie County, VA, records of one man called George vanished due to theft, damage, or fire in the county. However, in 1826, articles from Nashville and later Petersburg, VA, shed more light on his life after his escape.

Initially enslaved in Dinwiddie County, VA, records of one man called George vanished due to theft, damage, or fire in the county. However, in 1826, articles from Nashville and later Petersburg, VA, shed more light on his life after his escape.
A strong pull to family

A strong pull to family

Winny, who escaped enslavement from North Carolina in 1800, appeared in an ad with a reward for her return. The post speculated about her plans to head to Georgia to reunite with her husband.

Winny, who escaped enslavement from North Carolina in 1800, appeared in an ad with a reward for her return. The post speculated about her plans to head to Georgia to reunite with her husband.

Search the collection

Discover your history

The long journey to freedom

The long journey to freedom

Where to begin

Genealogist Nicka Sewell Smith gives an overview.

Genealogist Nicka Sewell Smith gives an overview.

Who they were

Who they were

The polyglot

Help and betrayal

A nightmare on Christmas day

A nightmare on Christmas day

Free but not freed

Free but not freed

The two faces of the North

The two faces of the North

Destroyed but not forgotten

Destroyed but not forgotten

A strong pull to family

A strong pull to family

Collection made available in partnership with

Genealogist Nicka Sewell Smith
gives an overview.