Ancestral Photograph
In my research of my family trees, one of the biggest challenge is to find information prior to 1870 in the United States concerning black African Americans. In genealogy parlance, it is a "brick wall". It is considered a major brick wall because prior to 1870 enslaved black people were not enumerated by first and last name in the United States federal census.It is important to know there were exceptions where black or people of color were enumerated in the federal census prior to 1870. In the 1790 and 1810 census, free non-white people were entitled in a category of "all other free persons". It is not clear if this distinction included black and or native american people. Free people of color were enumerated in the federal census in 1850 and 1860. The Federal Mortality schedules of 1850 and 1860 slaves are listed and cause of death. Military records can also be a source for locating black African Americans prior to 1870 who were union and confederate soldiers. In the 1860 census, enslaved black people were enumerated who were over 100 years old. These enslaved black centenarians were usually listed by first name only. I have included a link with listed names and locations.
https://sites.rootsweb.com/~ajac/slave100up.htm.
My family’s roots were planted in the southern portion of the United States. Prior to 1865, most black African Americans were someone’s property as slaves. I have made the assumption that my ancestors were enslaved. In prior blogs, I have focused on the descendants of Liddie Brumfield Caston an enslaved woman who had two husbands with two sets of children in Mississippi. Louis Brumfield her first husband who was probably enslaved was sold or died. Calvin Caston who was Liddie’s second husband whom she helped established a homestead. The blended family tree of Liddie Brumfield Caston.
Elvira's surname maybe Brumfield or Caston based on information found on records which will be disclosed latter blog. The surname of the former enslaved may be from a slave master at the time of the Emancipation Proclamation, former slave master or an adopted name. In the case of Liddie Brumfield Caston, the surname of the former slave owner was retained.
A brick in the wall of Liddie Brumfield Caston family tree has been removed with the help of the descendant of Henry S. Brumfield. A photograph was given to my cousin Manuel Graves by Laura Brumfield descendant of Henry S. Brumfield identifies several of our ancestors.
The Black individuals in the picture are Calvin "Cad" Caston and Lydia Brumfield "Bromfield" Caston, Richard Brumfield "Dick Bromfield" and Eli Brumfield "Bromfield". The Caucasian individuals are Henry S. Brumfield "Grandpa Bromfield" Lucinda Brumfield Andrews "Aunt Lucinda Andrews" and Joseph Warren Brumfield "Uncle Joe Bromfield". This is an amazing and exciting discovery. More information concerning the individuals in the picture will be coming in future posts.
Forever Grateful ----- The Tree Gardener
