Research
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.
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.
