About Our African American Archive
Our Mission, Vision, Values, and Ethos
Our Purpose
To connect people to the untold and forgotten history of the United States through the lens of generations of African Americans stretching back to 1619. Except for East Coast Native Americans - who were captured, and transported to Barbados, Bermuda, Jamaica, the Azores, Spain, and Tangier (North Africa) - no other people in the U.S. shared the same experience as enslaved Africans and their descendants. The breaking apart of enslaved families over the ensuing centuries presents unique challenges in researching African American lineages. This archive was created to provide records to support African American genealogists and family histories who seek to discover their family's untold stories and history.
By collecting, preserving, and interpreting African American history, we link the past with the present to inspire future generations of African American researchers.
Our Goal
We aspire to represent the African American experience in the United States in a meaningful way through sharing records and resources not available elsewhere online.
Dedicated Preservation of African American History
We are dedicated to preserving African Americans' past. We believe that knowledge, and the appreciation of history, matter. The IAAM's Center for Family History's staff are trusted stewards of history and historical resources. We are committed to telling an accurate and inclusive story of the African American experience in the United States through the collection and digitization of resources and records. We work with integrity and passion to honestly portray and with integrity, honesty, and respect, the lives of free and enslaved African Americans.
About the Archive Team
We:
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Are clear about our goals
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Work hard to ensure we share information in a transparent manner
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Work collaboratively with internal and external partners for success
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Are purposeful in our approach to telling untold African American stories
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Have adopted an innovative and entrepreneurial approach in advancing and advocating our mission
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Have a collegiate approach in building our archive
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Embrace partnerships; and
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Believe in being a strong and active contributor to our research communities, audiences, and the Nation.
Harmful Content Statement
This Center for Family History’s digital archive is dedicated to documenting African American history in its truest form, including records that reference the enslavement of Africans and other historical injustices. Some materials may contain harmful language, imagery, or perspectives that are offensive, outdated, or reflective of discriminatory attitudes.
Content Warning
These records are presented in their original form to preserve historical accuracy and provide context for understanding the past. While some content may be painful to encounter, we believe it is essential to acknowledge and learn from this history.
We are committed to respectful engagement with these materials and encourage users to approach them with care. If you have concerns about specific content, please contact our archivist at jrandall@iaamuseum.org
Disclaimer on Ethics of Accessing Family History Records
This digital archive contains historical records that may include family histories, relationship data, financial details, past medical records, and other private information about ancestors. Some of this content may be unexpected or uncomfortable to encounter.
We present these records in their original form to preserve historical accuracy, but we also recognize the sensitive nature of such information. We encourage all users to approach these materials with respect and consideration for the privacy and dignity of both the individuals documented and their descendants.
By accessing these records, you agree to use them responsibly and ethically. If you have concerns about specific content, please contact our archivist at jrandall@iaamhistory.org.