US Black Heritage Naming Conventions For Slaves, EXAMPLES

Profile managers: US Black Heritage Project WikiTree [send private message] and Emma MacBeath [send private message]

US Black Heritage Project

These are examples of which last name to use for enslaved or formerly enslaved ancestors who may have no known "Last Name at Birth."

LNAB=Last Name at Birth

CLN=Current Last Name

OLN=Other Last Names

Scenario 1. Enslaved / UnEmancipated / No Known Surname

Description: Create a profile based on a slave owner documentation listing the slave's given name. The slave owner name is used as preliminary information that may link to descendants and benefit researchers.
Examples:

1. "Willie" is listed on Jim Smith's probate inventory
   • Proper First Name=Willie
   • Last Name at Birth=Smith
   • Current Last Name=Smith
   • Other Last Name(s):=
   • Add the template {{Slave LNAB}} just above the Biography header.
2. "Sue" is listed on Jim Smith's Will bequeathed to Smith's married daughter Sally Jones
   • Proper First Name=Sue
   • Last Name at Birth=Smith
   • Current Last Name=Jones
   • Other Last Name(s):=
   • Entering the first owner's name in the LNAB field and the second in the CLN field creates a chronology.
   • Add the template {{Slave LNAB}} just above the Biography header.
3. "Lucy" is given by Jim Smith to his married daughter Martha Hill as a wedding present and Martha Hill sells Lucy to Walter Williams
   • Proper First Name=Lucy
   • Last Name at Birth=Smith
   • Current Last Name=Williams
   • Other Last Name(s):=Hill
   • Entering the first owner's name in the LNAB field and the third/final in the CLN field shows a chronology of events. Any additional slave owner surnames can be added to the OLN field.
   • Add the template {{Slave LNAB}} just above the Biography header.
4. Records show "Ned" as being owned or working at Georgetown University
   • Proper First Name=Ned
   • Last Name at Birth=Georgetown
   • Current Last Name=Georgetown
   • Other Last Name(s):=
   • If owned by a company or institution, use the proper name portion of the company name or institution, Ex.: Georgetown University "Georgetown", University of Virginia "Virginia", etc. There should also be a corresponding category added to the profile for that institution. Check with the US Black Heritage Project for the best category to use.
   • Add the template {{Slave LNAB}} just above the Biography header.

Scenario 2. Enslaved with Known Surname

Description: Create a profile based on an enslaved ancestor's personal surname and at least one slave owner's name. The enslaved person might not have chosen the personal surname themselves, however, it is often useful when linking enslaved family members owned by the same or related slave owner.
Examples:

1. "John Green, Sally his wife, Young John, son" are listed on Jim Smith's probate inventory. Each profile has its own first name and then follows this format:
   • Proper First Name=John
   • Last Name at Birth=Green
   • Current Last Name=Green
   • Other Last Name(s):=Smith
   • Entering the slave owner name in the OLN field may assist researchers.
   • In lieu of a maiden name for Sally, the married name is used in the LNAB and CLN fields. Entering a note in the Biography section that the LNAB is the married name is helpful and entering the slave owner name in the OLN field may assist researchers.
2. "Sam" is listed as the son of Mariah Butler, with no father listed, on Jim Smith's probate inventory
   • Proper First Name=Sam
   • Last Name at Birth=Butler
   • Current Last Name=Butler
   • Other Last Name(s):=Smith
   • Entering the slave owner name in the OLN field may assist researchers.
   • When the father is unknown, the mother's last name is always used as the final LNAB.

Scenario 3. Emancipated with Known Surname

Description: Create a profile based on an emancipated person's chosen surname. If the surname appears for the first time on 1870 census this is very likely the first time they have had a "real" last name which they chose themselves. Information about previous slave owner(s) can be added if available.
Example:

1. "George Hamett" in the 1870 Census and is also listed on Walter Lewis' Probate inventory as "George Ellis"
   • Proper First Name=George
   • Last Name at Birth=Hamett
   • Current Last Name=Hamett
   • Other Last Name(s):=Ellis, Lewis
   • The 1870 surname is most probably the chosen name and is used in the LNAB field to show respect. Adding the earlier surname to the OLN with the slave owner name may assist researchers.
2. "Sally Hamett" appears with her husband on the 1870 census and you have no additional paperwork stating a different last name for her. It is assumed Sally was also enslaved, but it is uncertain.
   • Proper First Name=Sally
   • Last Name at Birth=Hamett
   • Current Last Name=Hamett
   • Other Last Name(s):=
   • Because this documentation is found after the time of emancipation, use the category [[Category: US Black Heritage, Needs LNAB]] on her profile.

LNAB Template

The {{Slave LNAB}} template alerts researchers that the Last Name at Birth is using the slave owner's name as a placeholder. When using a slave owner's name in the LNAB field, copy {{Slave LNAB}} and paste just above the Biography header. The template displays this helpful warning:

When to Change the LNAB

It is important NOT to change the LNAB every time a new name is discovered. It's best not to change it until you have found the first known last name the enslaved person went by--whether they were born with that last name or gave themselves that last name once they received their freedom.

• If a person is found in the 1870 census, this is very likely the first time they have had a "real" last name. The only time to change from this 1870 LNAB is if you find a document for that person while they were enslaved that states a last name they were going by. In that case, the LNAB would be the original last name while enslaved and the last name they are using in 1870 will be in the Current Last Name field. This is a less likely scenario, but not impossible.
• If you used a slave owner's last name for the LNAB and you then find the slave listed in later documents with a different last name, that new last name becomes the LNAB. Move the slave owner(s)' last name(s) to the Other Last Name if you feel they are still necessary for descendants to find their ancestors. Otherwise, make sure the slave owners are listed in the biography under the === Slave Owners === heading and remove the slave owner names from the name fields.
• If you gave a wife her husband's last name and you later discover her family's last name.
• It is the standard of the US Black Heritage Project to give enslaved ancestors with no documented last name the last name their descendants chose to go by to honor their choice.
  • Example: If the descendants of John, enslaved by Jacob Smith, are later found to be documented with the last name of Green, John's Last Name at Birth would be changed from the placeholder to Green.

Additional Resources

• US Black Heritage Project Home Page
• For more information on how to document slavery at WikiTree, please see: USBH Heritage Exchange Portal

Email Your Info

• If you or a friend would like to send us slavery documentation or other information about an enslaved ancestor, just email: wikitrees-usbh-exchange at googlegroups.com - replace the at with @