While looking through the map of newspaper ads I saw that there was plenty of ad posting near the south. Each individual seeking information on the whereabouts of their family and loved ones. As I went through the ads in Virginia I noticed a lot of sad ads. One newspaper ad posted was by Robert T. Lewis Even after Reconstruction, he like others was still looking for their families for many years. I began to wonder if he ever found his family and how long it took to do so. What did feel he and everyone else feel all those years waiting for information? How he kept looking to find anything that would help lead in finding loved ones. The perseverance and loyalty to family to keep looking during that time of difficulty.
Rober T. Lewis Seeking His relatives 1893
Robert lewis found the "The Richmond Planet" of Richmond, Virginia. Here he posts an Ad within a newspaper hoping to find any leads to the whereabouts of his family. In the ad, he hints that his family worked at Goochland on a farm. Which was a short distance northwest of Richmond, VA. He posted the ad in 1893 more than 16 years after the end of reconstruction. The south was going under a lot of changes. New buildings and other infrastructure were being built up. Richmond being the capital of Virginia, would see a lot of improvements over time. As well as being a larger hub for travelers through the area.
But living under the threat of lynch mobs and other supremacists, seen here in American Yawp. During those years after reconstruction, it wasn't safe for African Americans in some areas. Even more so in the south where former confederate states such as Virginia existed.
With ads being posted all over, it was a time of much-needed closure. To find and connect with lost family. People like Robert T. Lewis who amongst great odds and animosity would continue to look for his relatives. In a time of danger and hate his safety, as well as his family, was at stake. To navigate this new south where racial tension steadily rises and mobs looking for blood roamed the roads. It may be Lewis's family already left the south with all the violence going on. During this time migration out of the south would climb. The other spectrum of not migrating could be those still looking to find family and waiting to reconnect with them. The importance of these ads may have served more than just a way to help find people. It could have benefited them in other ways for the safety of their family and their own.
Was posting Ads the only option African Americans had in finding Family? If not what other options did they have?
I'd say the it was the only option financially available for them.
Hi Ahmed! This is a great analysis of the ad you chose. What stands out to me about Lewis' ad is the detail he provides about the jobs that his family members performed in addition to their last known locations. Your question is really interesting too--thinking about the larger context of the mass migration out the South, the shifting political climate after Reconstruction, and the sheer number of people who were also looking for lost family, it is really useful to place these information wanted ads in larger context of methods people used to find and connect with family. I think the ad from Laura's post was an example of a woman contacting a religious leader for assistance, and that person was able to get her in touch with her mother. Perhaps community leaders or church leaders, or local business owners (anyone who would naturally have lots of connections) would also be resources for folks trying to find family.