Nice work on the Fife plantation and the "bonus" graveyard. It is truly a challenge to find initial, post emancipation appearances of the formerly enslaved in 1870 and later census years, especially when some of them may have died before 1870.
In other cases, we also occasionally encounter the formerly enslaved who were given their freedom through manumission and wills, which we have documented did happen before the Civil War even happened for some. Some of these free people of color can show up in 1850 and 1860, if I am not mistaken.
Congratulations on your concerted effort.
Essentially, under the USBH Project efforts, connections between formerly enslaved and their former slaveholders, but also by documenting the formerly enslaved as well as we can, their descendants have a greater chance of locating their direct ancestors. Adding DNA, when clues emerge for any kind of connection is also sometimes fruitful.
Thanks again for your work. Having the plantation categorized as you have done also is a great tool. It is difficult, but lays the groundwork towards the ultimate goal of helping descendants find their ancestors.