Membership

We are pleased to announce our new DEC-UVA Portal! Click the button below to sign up for an account then apply for membership.

New users are prompted to "Create account" and will receive a confirmation email with further instructions. Returning users who have difficulty with their account can reset their password by clicking "Having trouble logging in?" on the DEC-UVA Portal landing page.

DEC-UVA Portal

Membership Criteria

Verified Descendant Membership Criteria:

To be considered a Descendant of the Enslaved Communities at the University of Virginia, an individual must satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

Be a documented direct or collateral descendant of a person enslaved at an estate/property owned by the University of Virginia, hired out to the University, or enslaved or hired out by associated staff/faculty between 1809-1865.
Be a documented direct or collateral descendant of a person enslaved by a member of the group that helped Jefferson found the University of Virginia between 1809-1865, including but not limited to: Thomas Jefferson, Joseph Carrington Cabell, James Madison, John Hartwell Cocke, and James Monroe.
Be a documented direct or collateral descendant of a person enslaved on an estate/property between 1809-1865 or that is currently owned or operated by the University of Virginia. This list includes, but is not limited to Birdwood, Morven, Morea, Blandy Experimental Farm and additional associated properties vetted by the Descendant of the Enslaved Communities Leadership Group and UVA.
Be a documented direct or collateral descendant of a free African American person hired to work at UVA from 1809 forward.
Have credible oral history suggesting your family descends from any of the above persons from 1808 forward.
Self-identifies as a descendant of enslaved or free laborers associated with the University of Virginia or other Virginia plantations, but is still researching.

Participation as a descendant is contingent upon verification of this connection by the Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA Leadership Committee or designated genealogist(s). Credibility of an oral history is subject to review by the Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA Leadership Committee, who are the final authority on participation. Verifying the criterion listed above may take up to but should not exceed one (1) year. The Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA Leadership Committee reserves the right to deny participation if any of the above criteria is not met, if a prospective participant cannot or does not provide documentation in a timely manner, or if any documentation has been falsified.

Membership Types (ANNUAL)

Verified DESCENDANT - Has satisfactorily met the criteria for membership in the DECUVA as determined by the DEC Leadership Group or associated genealogist. (This membership type qualifies for full DEC benefits)

- $25 individually & $10 for each additional family member.

Declared DESCENDANT - Self-identifies as a descendant of enslaved or free laborers associated with the University of Virginia or other Virginia plantations, but has not satisfied the criteria for full membership. (This membership type only qualifies for partial DEC benefits)

$25 - individual access only. Family can be added at $10 each once verified.

NON-DESCENDANT (Individual or Entity) - Any person or entity of goodwill who is committed to supporting the mission and vision of the Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA (This membership type only qualifies for partial DEC benefits)

$100 - Individual
$250 - Partnerships & Entities