Research

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Resources

Research on enslaved individuals, free Black laborers, and their families has been a long-term research endeavor at the University of Virginia and has involved faculty, staff, students, and community members. Historic sites in Virginia have also lead the charge to research and document this history. Links below lead to resources compiled over the years and are meant to assist with genealogical research.

Memorial to Enslaved Laborers

The Memorial to Enslaved Laborers (MEL) acknowledges the work and individual lives of the enslaved African Americans who built the University of Virginia and sustained daily life from its founding.

Jefferson’s University—Early Life Project

Bringing together a trove of personal and administrative documents, as well as archival images of the university and three-dimensional digital renderings, JUEL invites users to discover the people and places of the University’s early years, stretching from its founding in 1819 through the end of the Civil War

Holsinger Studio Collection

The entire Holsinger Studio Collection of more than 10,000 images is now housed in the Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia. The African-American portraits comprise a small, yet significant, portion of this archive (numbering about 611). While names are associated with most of the portraits, they are based on who paid for the photograph, not necessarily who is in them.

Woman holding a child on the lawn in 1800s

President’s Commission on Slavery and the University

In September of 2013, President Teresa A. Sullivan formally created the President’s Commission on Slavery and the University and charged the commission with providing her advice and recommendations on the commemoration of the University of Virginia’s historical relationship with slavery and enslaved people.

Slavery at the University of Virginia: A Catalog of Current and Past Initiatives (2013)

This report is the first phase of a project to enhance awareness of the role of enslaved persons in the
construction and early life of the University of Virginia. The initiatives presented in this report
occurred or are occurring both on Grounds and in the surrounding Charlottesville community, and
include the following:

Enslaved African Americans at the University of Virginia Walking Tour

A walking tour of the University of Virginia campus highlighting the history of enslaved people and the institution of slavery.

Slavery at UVA Brochure

A visitor's guide to slavery at UVA created by students.

"The First Generation: Thirty Years of the Office of African-American Affairs at the University of Virginia"

A history of UVA's Office of African American Affairs, including its buildings, which formerly housed enslaved people.

The History of Dawson's Row (OAAA)

The history of buildings sold to UVA by an enslaver that eventually became the Office of African American Affairs. This resource includes information about the enslaved people who inhabited the space.

J.F. Bell Funeral Home Database

John Ferris Bell (1890-1959) was born and educated in Petersburg, Virginia. He graduated from Hampton Institute and later trained as a Funeral Director and Mortician in Chicago, Illinois. Mr. Bell opened the J.F. Bell Funeral Home in 1917. It continues today as the oldest family run funeral home in Central Virginia and the area's oldest existing business owned by people of color.

Kinfolkology

A digital archive, collaborative database collective, and living memorial honoring the humanity and kinships of enslaved people.

Oak Lawn Plantation

With thanks to Dr. Jalane Schmidt and The Memory Project, this memo represents our research to date on the Oak Lawn, prioritizing information about the Black men, women, and children who were enslaved on the property located in Charlottesville, VA. Oak Lawn was owned by James Fife, and is located at the corner of Cherry Avenue and 9th Street in the Fifeville neighborhood.

History of the Land | Church of Our Savior Charlottesville, VA

Click here for access to the booklet "The History of Land" for more information about the land that COOS currently occupies.

Enslavement by the Book | Chancery Court Cases

An Index to the Albemarle County Chancery Court Cases with mentions of Enslaved People, 1831-1865

Black Pearls of Genealogy

At Black Pearls of Genealogy, we are dedicated to unveiling the rich tapestry of African American history through the lens of genealogy. Our platform is the cornerstone for researchers delving into the lives and historical footprints of people of color in the United States. Explore the narratives woven into our nation’s fabric with our comprehensive tools and resources.

Genealogical Research

Conducted in partnership with UVA

Genealogist Dr. Shelley Murphy was hired by the University of Virginia in 2019 to find descendants of UVA's enslaved laborers following construction of UVA's Memorial to Enslaved Laborers. There is space for 4000 names on the Memorial, and researchers at UVA continue to discover new names of enslaved people who were enslaved by professors, hotel keepers, and others associated with the University of Virginia.

This research is foundational for establishing our descendants community.

Partial List of Surnames of Enslaved and Free Laborers at UVA and Descendant Family Locations (current research)

Albemarle/ Charlottesville

Barbour/Barber

Briggs

Broadus

Brown

Coles

Commodore

Crobsy

Dickerson/Dickinson

Green

Heiskell

Henderson

Hern/Hearn

Maupin

Michie

Price

Salmom/Sammons

Smith

Southall

Strange

Tucker

Watson

Cumberland County

Skipwith

Fluvanna County

Brown

Skipwith

Harris

Greene County

Chapman

Halifax County

Boxley

Louisa County

Boxley

Brown

Dickerson/Dickinson

Harris

Jackson

Nunn

Price

Sandridge

Watson

Orange County

Barbour/Barber

French

Unknown Locations

Bibb

Childress

Douglass

Ganat

Johnson

Kemper

Meriwether

Mosby

Oliver

Patterson

Perrow

Prentis

Roberts

Simpson

Spooner

Taylor

Timberlake

Wade

African American Genealogical Resources
courtesy of Dr. Shelley Murphy

Engaging Descendant Communities: Rubric (Montpelier, 2018)

"Finding African American Genealogy Clues in Central Virginia Public Records" (YouTube Video)

BlackProGen Episode 127 - History: Unscripted: Enslaved Laborers at UVA (YouTube Video)

Research at the National Archives and Beyond, Blogtalkradio with Bernice Bennett (Audio)

Membership

We are committed to finding and connecting with descendants of enslaved communities and free Black laborers associated with with the University of Virginia. If you believe you have African American ancestors who were associated with UVA, please follow the link to learn more or get help with your genealogical research.

Learn More

Research

Resources

Genealogical Research

Partial List of Surnames of Enslaved and Free Laborers at UVA and Descendant Family Locations (current research)

African American Genealogical Resources courtesy of Dr. Shelley Murphy

"Finding African American Genealogy Clues in Central Virginia Public Records" (YouTube Video)

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BlackProGen Episode 127 - History: Unscripted: Enslaved Laborers at UVA (YouTube Video)

Membership

African American Genealogical Resources
courtesy of Dr. Shelley Murphy