About This Project

This webpage is the result of a graduate class project focused on Local History & Genealogy.

Why This Topic Was Selected

I decided to focus on the history of enslaved people in Tuscaloosa, Alabama for several reasons:

I am from Tuscaloosa and very interested in its history and have some familiarity- although I learn new things every day.
Resources exist for descendants to trace their family history, but this is not always easy to discover, access, or understand. My goal was to make a resource that could help them.
Much of the history about Tuscaloosa, AL that is shared is often silent about the experiences, contributions, and sometimes even the very existence of enslaved African Americans.
This project is also groundwork for more extensive research that works toward changing the historical narratives to be inclusive of Tuscaloosa County's African American history and slavery. In doing so, history can pave a path of healing and the past can build a bridge to the future.

Research Process and Challenges

My approach to history is like that of being a private investigator and seeking out the five W’s of Who, What, Where, When, and—most importantly, Why. The goal is to uncover their untold stories and what we can learn from their lived experiences—especially when so many existing documents have been buried or written from white male perspectives.

Having some familiarity with several resources- or at least knowing where and what they were, I began to explore what information and historical records are available. This process began with foundational history on a wider scope and then narrowed down to specific times, people, or places. Census records are a treasure because they offer narrowed pictures within the scope of the bigger picture of the community. I attempted to trace several leads on specific people and had some luck but did run into many brick walls. But in doing so, it also gave an opportunity to gain in-depth familiarity with particular resources and records.

Click to View:

Annotated Bibliography

List of Photo Credits

Future Researchers

Hopefully, this project will open a door for descendants to trace their enslaved ancestors from Tuscaloosa, and diversifies the story. This resource offers a map that can guide others. I also hope it inspires you to explore more on your own...to uncover the whole story.

William A Battle II and unknown nanny about 1854.png

Photo Credit: Dennis O. Williams Collection; Ancestry.com

Title: “Portrait of William Augustus Battle Jr. (1852-1908) with Nanny”-Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Circa 1854
Daguerreotype, 1/6 plate

Photographer unknown

1829- 8 people bought by Alfred Battle- clip .png

Image Credit: 7th Floor Project

The above record details the purchase of 8 enslaved people named Jim, Phillis, Armistead, Betty, Lucinda, Abram, Bob, and Mina/Nina by Alfred Battle of Tuscaloosa County for $2000 at a public auction on April 8, 1829. They were previously enslaved by Wm. Braly.

This record is one example of how difficult it can be to read old courthouse recrds. On this record (and many others like it), the writer attempted to save paper by re-writing additional text in a cross-hatch pattern across the other handwriting..making it very difficult to decipher.

Having these records digitally preserved is a treasure in more ways than one. The physical copy may be even more difficult to read, but with a digital version the image can be enlarged and rotated for easier reading.