This course is designed to be a skillbuilding experience that will take researchers to the next level by focusing on both methodologies and strategies for meeting the Genealogical Proof Standard when researching families that survived slavery. In-class exercises and a focus on case studies will arm students with the conceptual tools needed to overcome the challenges of researching during the antebellum period.
LaBrenda will present the following lectures: Importance of Transcribing Documents: Effective use of documents in research requires a knowledge of what it says, and transcription is a basic skill that will improve your view. Historical and Legal Background: Seeing the forest through the trees requires an understanding of what has happened, where it has happened, and why. A South Carolina Case Study, Identifying Parents of an Enslaved Ancestor: Follow this study to learn how one researcher sought to examine the evidence and choose appropriate directions to find the answer. Utility of DNA Evidence: Learn how to effectively use DNA Evidence in your research questions.
