1/ What do you notice? What do you wonder?
I found the ads by a list of locations and I particularly chose Africa is the region that I wanted to go deeper into my research for this assignment. As I have learned a lot about the slavery of African Americans and discrimination between Whites and Blacks, I am really interested in this region. I noticed the ad "Samuel Williams searching for his mother Sylvia Williams" because the title touches my heart: a son is searching for his mother. What I noticed on this ad is the year that it was posted: 1866. This is the year that the Reconstruction Era of the U.S. was just beginning. Previously, in 1865, the Civil War ended with the surrender of the Confederate States, and the United States Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the first federal legislation to protect the rights of African-Americans. What I wonder is why the mother and son both belonged to the same owner James Maxwell but they had not met each other for such a long time.
2/ Time/Place: This ad was published in 1866 when the Civil War was just ended and the reconstruction started taking place. By all efforts and strength to fight for equality of color races, eventually, Congress passed a law which declares that all persons born in the United States were now citizens regardless of color, race and previous background, this law is called the Civil Rights Act in 1866. I think because of the equality that Backs had gained in the society, now they were released more, and this is time that Samuel could be able to post an ad to find his mother. The technology in those days had not developed much, therefore, it was very difficult to keep in touch with someone and also to look for someone that you have not heard or met for a long time.
3/ Implications/Conclusions:
This ad tells us about how slaves looked for their lost family, Especially during the 1860s when the technology had not still developed and the way that slaves could reach out to their lost family is posting an ad on newspapers. After the Civil War ended and the reconstruction had just begun, it was such a period when many former slaves who did not hear from their family for a long time found the opportunity to look for their loved ones.
4/ In your opinion, what is the probability of finding a lost family member in the 1860s?
Hello Hang,
We know in the 1860s the first half was spent dealing with the civil war and the activities associated with ending it. The later half is where the process of rebuilding and establishing freedom for former slaves would take place. SO early on It might be very difficult for finding families. But as the war starts and more and more families attempt to flee families become further separated. It won't be until The war ends and Freed slaves can roam about freely will they be able to start actually looking wherever they can in the south. Even though it may be difficult I don't think that would stop African americans from trying during the time period.