FYI--Ex-Slaves' Bank Data Compiled on CD-ROM

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Ex-Slaves' Bank Data Compiled on CD-ROM

The chaotic records of the short-lived Freedman's Bank, an institution created specifically for newly freed slaves after the Civil War, have been organized by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints into a searchable database, making it easier and faster for African Americans and others to look for information about their ancestors.

A CD-ROM, containing detailed financial and family information of about 480,000 depositors, was released yesterday in Washington and several other cities by the Mormon Church. It sells for $6.50, the cost of producing the CD, according to church officials.

--->Click on the link below for the full article.

http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59621-2001Feb26.html

In Love and Light, Brenda

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2001

Answers

Brenda:

I read about this yesterday. I am extremely interested in obtaining a copy and checking for authenticity. Isn't ironic that the Mormon Church would produce such a volumne?? Just like the National Enquirer beating mainstream news organization with breaking stories about the sordid Clinton pardons, this much villified "cult" has beaten black organizations [e.g. National Urban League, Harvard U Dept of African-AMerican Studies, Boston U Monroe Trotter Center, etc.] to this discovery. Should be fascinating hearing the black cognescenti explain how this happened. Thanks for the note and stay tuned!! QED

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2001


Hotep Bill,

My sentiments exactly! I appreciate the work that went into this effect. However, our institutions should have done it. (Even the AMEC) Many Afrikan Americans will benefit from locating lost ancestors, using this most needed source.

On an another note. DuBois Institute for Afro-American Research at Harvard does not have a Master’s program in African American Studies (http://web-dubois.fas.harvard.edu/DuBois/AfroAm/Gradprogram.html). The preeminent professor and director Henry Louis Gates has his doctoral degree in Literature. Yet, he claims to be an authority in the African American experience/history. Since this institution receives grants for research, seems to me that this CD ROM project should have been a priority. Anyway...I patiently await the explanations as well.

In Love and Light, Brenda

-- Anonymous, February 28, 2001


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