Caution regarding the numbers in this database
In the Explore section you will find records for nearly 7,000 people, both enslavers and Indigenous people. But it is important to understand that this database is not “complete” in any sense. The records of Native enslavement and servitude are tucked away in archives all over the hemisphere, and this project only represents a sampling of them. Therefore, you should not take any numbers you see to be absolute or definitive in any way.
This project is very much in progress, and we are adding to it weekly. Although we have also tried to keep this project free from errors, there are surely mistakes. If you find some, please let us know!
Searching options
The search interface can be used simply or in a more complex way.
Search using only the search bar
The most simple searches can be performed by simply typing any term or phrase into the search bar.
You can enter a name, location, or even a particular historical item, like an article of clothing.
To view the results, scroll down. To view the information and document for an individual person, click on their name at the top of the card.
Search using filters menu
For a more complex search, click on the “Filters menu,” which will open up all of the various options for searching.
You can select or insert information for as many or as few of these filters as you wish. To access an individual filter, simple click on it to expand.
When you are done, scroll back up to the top and click “Close.”
To view the results, scroll down. To view the information and document for an individual person, click on their name at the top of the card.
Additional filters on the results page
Under the search bar, there are different filter options as well, including viewing only enslaved people, free people, or enslavers; sorting by date; or choosing to view the results in the “grid” (default, card) view, or as a table.
Other features
The download button also allows users to download the data from specific searches in a csv file, which will open in a Excel spreadsheet.
Clearing all filters
To reset the search at any time, simply click on the “Clear Filters” button.
Sample search
By location
If I wanted to search for all individuals in Massachusetts, for example, I could either:
a) enter “Massachusetts” into the search bar and peruse the results, OR
b) open the Filters Menu, open the “Location” submenu, and click on the box next to “Massachusetts,” close the Filters Menu, and peruse the results.
To view the information and document for an individual person, click on their name at the top of the card.
For an enslaved woman named Mary in Rhode Island
Typing “Mary” into the search bar reveals 106 results. I can further refine this search by opening the Filters Menu, opening the Location submenu, clicking next to Rhode Island, and closing the Filters Menu. This reduces the search for Mary to only Rhode Island records, revealing 14 results.
To further narrow the search by date, I could open the Filters Menu, expand the Year submenu, and enter in a date range, such as 1730 to 1740. After I close the Filters Menu, this reveals only one person: Mary, who was enslaved by William Wall on Prudence Island in 1739.
To view the information and document for an individual person, click on their name at the top of the card. Doing so far Mary reveals the original document and transcription, with expandable options to view the full details about Mary and the source information.
