Unearthing the Unseen: Tracing African American Roots Through Mississippi’s Segregated Past

As a genealogist, I often have the privilege of unraveling family histories that run deep, but my current assignment holds particular significance. I’m working on tracing the roots of an African American family whose origins lie in Mississippi—a state rich in history but also steeped in the harsh realities of America’s past.

Through meticulous research, I’ve been able to trace their lineage back five generations, which is not always possible for African American families due to the tragic realities of slavery, segregation, and the erasure of records. It’s both rewarding and sobering to uncover these deep roots. So far, I’ve come across records that speak volumes—segregated school lists as recent as the 1930s and hospital admissons’s labeled as "colored" admissions as recent as the 1960’s. These are some of the things I’ve discovered so far, but I’m still researching and continuing to uncover specific, detailed stories of various ancestors that shed even more light on their lived experiences.

A 1936 List of Educable Children from Jackson's 'Colored' School District.

A 1950s Hospital Admission Record Divided by Race

This work serves as a stark reminder that the impact of segregation and discrimination didn’t end with slavery—it endured through Jim Crow and well into the lives of today’s parents and grandparents. We hear far too often the sentiment, “Slavery wasn’t around when we were, so get over it.” But the reality is, this was. This is. Their parents and grandparents were directly impacted, and their stories demand to be told. Genealogy serves as a crucial historical reminder of this truth and a call to learn and grow from the lessons of the past.

As I continue this journey, I find myself asking—should I provide updates as I uncover more details about this family’s story? There’s so much more to explore, and sharing these discoveries may serve as both an educational tool and a way to honor the strength of this family’s legacy.

What do you think? Should I keep you posted on this family’s history as it unfolds?