Several years ago, I began my formal ancestral and genealogy journey with the intention that I would locate land and property that may have been lost by our family or worse, stolen during historical periods of social and economic upheaval. In other words, I wondered whether my family lost land and property before, during and post slavery. My question landed on whether anything lost could benefit my family today?
The short answer is “yes.” I am not alone.
Lots of questions and few answers are connected to the property searches for descendants of formerly enslaved family members.
Reclaiming rights
For generations, Black families have carried memories of land once farmed, homes once built, and dreams once held — even when the law, violence, and exclusion stripped them of the soil beneath their feet. Today, nationwide and in select global locations, descendants of enslaved people are reconnecting their threads of history with genealogical evidence of families’ rights. The big deal is the reclamation of land and the seeking of compensation for property lost through legal and social injustices.
The renewed interest in this area is about dignity, legacy, and the restoration of generational wealth. This blog will begin a series around the topic of helping African Diasporan, Indigenous nations, and Free Blacks build historic property claims. For years, we’ve helped families locate their ancestors that includes matching geographical addresses, Census records, storytelling, and hundreds of other research avenues. Why? It not only is necessary to know one’s ancestors for mental, social, and informational purposes, the conformation of ancestral and genealogy records also is foundational for going to the next steps. That is, to seek historical property claims, pensions, and other potential financial linkages.
Steps to Begin a Historical Property Claim Journey
Good Genes Genealogy will lead families through the process to reclaim financial benefits. Here’s a sample of what we are seeking from families:
✅ 1. Interview Elders & Document Oral History
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Names, locations, burial grounds
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Nicknames, neighboring families, plantation links, freemen’s links
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Stories of land loss or forced migration
✅ 2. Identify the Key Ancestors in Census & Vital Records
- Start with the 1870 Census — the “gateway” document for formerly enslaved individuals
✅ 3. Research Land Ownership or Labor Placement
- Search county courthouses, tax records, land deeds, and maps
✅ 4. Review Probate & Enslaver Records
- Use varied government and personal records that linking enslaved ancestors to plantations and locations
✅ 5. Document Evidence of Loss or Displacement
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Illegal takings or forced sale
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Eminent domain cases
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Racial violence or intimidation
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Fraudulent legal proceedings
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Loss of heirs’ property
✅ 6. Connect with Legal Advocates
- Private attorney referrals, community legal services, land conservation groups, and reparations task forces can provide guidance
✅ 7. Build a Claim Packet*
Organize:
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Genealogy charts
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Timeline of ownership & loss
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Supporting documents
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Maps and land descriptions
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Witness testimonies/oral histories
*Putting together this packet is the narrative foundation that allows for legal review or community restitution.