Honoring Juneteenth: Exploring the History & Heritage

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ANCESTRY^® BLOG

Ancestry Team

13 June 2025

With the 160th anniversary of Juneteenth coming up this month, it is important to reflect on the history behind this holiday. Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of African Americans from slavery. As a holiday, it is a testament to this community’s resilience and hope, and a reminder of their long struggle for basic human rights. One of the places that really brings this history to life is Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas. The land was bought and renamed by a group of formerly enslaved people in 1872, and it has been an enduring reminder of Juneteenth and its celebration for more than 150 years.

Visiting Emancipation Park on a peaceful Sunday afternoon is a moving experience. Seeing families enjoying sports, playgrounds, and picnics in the park contrasts with the vastly different scene that took place in this very location 160 years ago. The records found on Ancestry can help paint a clearer picture of those who were there so many years ago.

The Story Behind Houston’s Emancipation Park

Houston’s Emancipation Park was a groundbreaking project. Bought by formerly enslaved individuals, it became a beacon of freedom and a central spot for Juneteenth celebrations. Today, it’s a vibrant community hub, honoring African American culture and history. Wandering through its peaceful paths and touching monuments, it’s easy to see how the park serves as a canvas for cultural and historical preservation.

Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom

On June 19, 1865, General Order No. 3 was proclaimed in Galveston, Texas, announcing that all enslaved people were free. One can imagine the relief and hope in those first celebrations. Juneteenth has since evolved—it’s now commemorated as a federal holiday—and it remains deeply connected to themes of community and remembrance. Learning about those first gatherings helps connect us to the emotions and struggles of the time.

For anyone exploring African American history, Ancestry is an incredible resource. In addition to the extensive listing of records you’ll find on the African American Collections page, here are a few featured examples of new resources to review.

The expanded Articles of Enslavement collection offers powerful tools to uncover ancestral stories from both before and after emancipation. These records shine a light on lives that history often overlooked.
The updated African American research guide offers a step-by-step approach to exploring your family history.
A recording of a virtual event with family historian Nicka Sewell-Smith gives you practical tips for uncovering your family stories as you navigate Black history resources on Ancestry.

When you start exploring Ancestry records and reading the stories of individuals who experienced enslavement and emancipation, the information you find can add so much context to your understanding of family history. These records are filled with tales of resilience, community, and an unwavering pursuit of freedom. Seeing digitized historical documents or photographs makes these stories even more vivid and engaging.

Juneteenth Celebration at Emancipation Park 1880, Wikimedia Commons

Ancestry is here to help connect you with your ancestors, giving access to records that offer a glimpse into the past. As Juneteenth’s 160th anniversary approaches, we invite you to start your own family history adventure. Here’s to discovering the stories that make up the rich heritage of American History.