RESEARCH
Researching The Identity of the Unknown
Enslaved Person
A list of research sources with the found pieces of the identity of the unknown enslaved person’s story are at the bottom of this page. These sources give us small insights that we would like to confirm with further investigation. That confirmation will solidify the following assumptions based on what has been found.
1. The name of the "Unnamed Slave Boy" could possibly be Gaston
2. He may have died of yellow fever
3. He may died in the "early 1860s" (exact year yet unknown)
4. He was the first person buried in the Hammond family gravesite
5. He might have been either just over 15, 34, or 38 when he died
Please help us continue finding the truth.
If you want to help with the search, but aren't sure where to start, check our source list at the bottom of the page and continue the fact-finding mission from there!
Here are also a few tips for getting started with geneological research in general:
Get Your Library Card
Or dust off the one you already have! The Tangipahoa Parish Library system has plenty of local resources on hand like city directories, archived newspapers, census records via Ancestry.com, and more. Ask a librarian and get started!
Ask Friends, Neighbors, and Family
Especially in an historic community like Hammond, the documents people have and the information they know about your research subject could surprise you. At the very least, you walk away with a better picture of your community's history.
Check Family Records
Are there diaries, yearbooks, letters, scrapbooks, etc. from previous generations that your family stores in the attic? You never know where connections will be forged in history. Look into the story of your family and you might be surprised that there's a hint of the story of the unnamed enslaved person.
Search University Archives
The archives and special collections at Louisiana's universities are expansive. Southeastern University has the Center for Southeastern Louisiana Studies (CSLS) in the campus library, for instance. There are donated pieces of local history like centennial brochures, notable correspondence, architectural drawings, and much more. You can search the CSLS archives now by clicking on the picture above.
Google Varying Keywords
You never know what you'll find by thinking about different aspects of a research subject. Sure, you have someone's name, but what about researching based on their profession, locality, interests, etc.? You will potentially uncover a unique piece of information or another lead.
Look into Church Records
Baptisms, marriages, and other church functions are often only internally-recorded and those events can lead to key dates. If it's possible to determine where your research subject went to church, that location might have records that national databases do not.
Below is the list of sources searched for Unknown Enslaved Person
If an item relevant to the unknown enslaved person was found and is available to view, you may click on it. For a packet of all found documentation CLICK HERE.
RESEARCH SOURCES
ONLINE 1850 Slave Schedule (VIEW)
CENTER FOR SOUTHEAST LOUISIANA RESEARCH (SELU) Ginger Romero Collection B.5 F.6, B.10 (VIEW) l Chandler Family Collection, B.4 F.1-2 l James H Morrison Collection, B.204 F.1 l Velmarae Dunn Collection, B.1 F.1-9, B.3 F.45 & 47 l Family History Records, B.1 F.1 l Regional History - Tangipahoa Parish Collection, B.13 F. 7
HILL MEMORIAL LIBRARY (LSU) Film 395/Reel #7 - Hammond Vindicator January-December 1937 (VIEW)
