Find Enslaved Ancestors

BTTBW.net Research Process

The Breaking Through These Brick Walls (BTTBW.net) website advocates a 13-step process to research your enslaved ancestors. Using those 13 steps, links to records and research are under each step.

1) Identify 1870 ancestors

Columbia County 1870 Census

McDuffie County 1870 Census

Warren County 1870 Census

2) Note Ancestors’ Surname

3) Things to Know

4) Select an Ancestor for Research

5) Build a Tree for the Enslaver

6) Look for Probate and Will Records

7) Look up Deeds and Manumissions

8) Look for Taxation Information

9) Document Identified Slaves from Records

10) Manage and Track Information

11) Finding DNA Matches

12) Contacting Matches

13) Repeat the Steps