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Feb 8, 2021
In recognition of Black History Month, Fort Bend County Libraries’ Local History and Genealogy Department will present two online programs in February for family-history researchers and local-history buffs, with special focus on African-American history.
These online, pre-recorded videos can be viewed on the Fort Bend County Libraries website – www.fortbend.lib.tx.us -- by clicking on the “Classes and Events” tab and selecting “Virtual Programs,” and then finding the programs on the dates listed.
On Monday, February 8, Genealogy and Local History department manager Daniel Sample will present “A Tour of African-American Cemeteries in Fort Bend County.” Sample will highlight some of the African-American cemeteries in the county, including the recently discovered burial ground in Sugar Land. Learn about the history of the cemeteries, notable people buried there, and more.
On Monday, February 22, Carol Beauchamp will present “Family-History Research: The Freedman’s Bureau Records.” Researching African-American family histories may present special challenges for the genealogical researcher. In this video, Beauchamp will talk about Heritage Quest’s “Freedman’s Bank Records” database, which contains records from 1865-1871. This resource is an index to Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company’s registers of signatures of depositors, and it contains information such as the names of depositors, names of employers and plantations, names of family members, place of birth, and even height and complexion.
For more information, call the Fort Bend County Libraries’ Communications Office (281-633-4734).