Beyond 1870 Finding Our African American Ancestors Beyond the Brick Wall 1

Think there are no records before 1870? Think again. Our ancestors, both free and enslaved, left traces in the historical records. Too many researchers believe it is impossible to find them before the 1870 Federal census but the records exist. In this presentation, we'll explore the documents that tell their stories, including manumissions, deeds, wills, pre-1870 census records, and Civil War pension files. You will walk away with practical strategies to uncover stories of your ancestors' lives before 1870. Mica L. Anders is a professional genealogist specializing in African American genealogy with over 25 years of experience. As the first-ever history fellow at the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum, she conducted pioneering research on early African American communities, earning the Minnesota Genealogical Society's Pioneer Award for her work. With expertise in navigating pre-1870 research challenges, Mica combines rigorous historical research with storytelling to bring ancestors' stories to life. She also collaborates with museums to highlight underrepresented narratives and is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists.