Databases of people of African descent held as slaves have been around for a number of years, but a new website that partners Harvard and Michigan State is the largest searchable such database ever. It is available for free here. According to the Washington Post:
Enslaved.org uses a powerful database similar to those used by Wikipedia and Yelp to surface information in what is known as the Semantic Web. Through a computing technique called the “semantic triple,” the information is entered in three-part sentences, with a subject, a predicate and an object. “The simplest triple would be something like ‘Maria born 1830,’ then ‘Maria baptized 1834’ and ‘Maria married 1849,’” Rehberger said. Triples can be gleaned from any article, register or biography and then linked with other information in a sprawling network known as a “triplestore.”
A researcher can cross-reference names, places, events and dates and discover that multiple documents are referring to the same human being. Each data point tracks back to the original source, providing opportunities to learn more of the context of the enslaved person’s life.
My Paternal family, of Washington, D.C William & Ellen Rollins listed on the first Home Owner Census D. C.
My Grandfather William Rollins Served in the US Navy 1864-72 and at the Washington Navy Yard.
I am looking for William Rollins, mother and Fathers information 17 & 1800s. African American
Hi I represents the Delap’s Cove Black Indian Pioneer Society in Nova Scotia, Canada. We have several names into our families from the American Revolution War. DCBIPS has been trying to work with a organization or site from the United States, to try to match Slaves names to their families in the States. One of my Ancestors was John Pomp, slave of Portsmouth Virginia, master John Morris. We have a hard time trying to find our Ancestors from the States thank you
dustonstevenson@hotmail.com or website Delap’s Cove Black Indian Pioneer Society.
I’m trying to find any information on Jim Mott, He was a survivor of the Slaveship Wanderer, He was enslaved by R L Mott, he lived in Russell County Ga and left in 1870-75 to join Tom Thumbs traveling Circus. Any information would be truly appreciated.
Hello, I was told my great great Grandmother Harriet Moody-Jones and her brother who’d name is unknown was on the last slave ship that came into Mobile. AL, was sold on the slave block downtown Mobile, AL to the Moody plantation.