Freedmen's Bureau Records
A breakthrough for Black family history.
With over 3.5 million searchable records, the Freedmen’s Bureau collection can provide details of your African American ancestors’ lives before 1870—giving you a more complete picture of your past.
See the first time your ancestors' names appeared in records after Emancipation.
With this free collection, you can discover the names of your African American ancestors, read their personal letters, see where they settled after the Civil War, and much more.
Explore these records, for free.
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The U.S. Freedmen’s Bureau
Established in 1865 to help the nearly four million newly freedmen and women manage their transition from enslavement to citizenship, the Freedmen’s Bureau assisted with land and property, relief programs, medical care, and educational support—among many other important endeavors.
Take a tour of the collection
with genealogist Nicka Sewell-Smith.
The records in this collection can reveal key details about your ancestors’ lives.
Collection
Freedmen's Bureau Records, 1865–1878
Explore the many types of records in this collection, such as employment registers, school and teacher reports, ration lists for clothing and medicine, and personal letters.
Collection
Freedmen's Bureau Marriage Records, 1846–1867
Search through marriage certificates and licenses, which include details such as names and ages of the bride and groom, where they got married, and how many children they had.
Collection
Freedman's Bank Records, 1865–1874
Established so the newly freed could place and save money, the Freedman’s Bank includes records with names of depositors, residences, birth places, and occupations.