Aware of the Book of Negroes source for US slaves sent to Nova Scotia?

Question

In answering a question about a possible slave in Nova Scotia, Gisele Cormier found an excellent source of original records, an english translation, and an article of explanation about the document.  About 3000 people who had been slaves in the US are listed, including their age, their location when enslaved and by whom, as well as their destination in Nova Scotia.  I did not find this on your list of resources but think it would be quite useful.

https://www.canadashistory.ca/explore/books/behind-the-book-of-negroes

https://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/ic/can_digital_collections/blackloyalists/documents/official/black_loyalist_directory.htm

Lookups by name can be done in this archive:

https://epe.lac-bac.gc.ca/100/200/301/ic/can_digital_collections/blackloyalists/documents/official/black_loyalist_directory.htm

Answer 1

I was surprised when I noticed some of our unique family name in the book, when I visited the museum a few years ago.  There were three slaves listed with our surname.  Turns out that it was common for slaves to take or be given their owners name.  I added these three profiles:  Van_Nostrand-538, which also includes a photo of the simple lean to huts that they lived in during their first winter in Nova Scotia.

Comments

Many who were on those ships were former slaves and had been freed.  They volunteered to leave Manhattan and go to Nova Scotia.  I like that sticker you used on the profile.

{{United Empire Loyalist|status=Black Loyalist |date=1783}}

Answer 2

Well, that's 3,000 people whose profiles just got more well-documented. Thanks.

Answer 3

Interesting. Thank you Cindy.

Answer 4

Gisele is a rock star!

Comments

She is indeed!  I am the luckiest leader on WikiTree because she is my partner!

Answer 5

We have a category for this book, so you can see who we already have profiles for.  https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Category:Book_of_Negroes

Comments

Thank you Emma!  Glad to know you already have it.  I will use the category too.  Looking at your space page, the NARA version of the original seems to be a better scan than the Nova Scotia archive.

Answer 6

Also, check out Library and Archives Canada to search/browse original manuscripts.

https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/military-heritage/loyalists/book-of-negroes/Pages/search.aspx

And Nova Scotia Archives.
https://archives.novascotia.ca/africanns/book-of-negroes/