Before Jim Crow: America's Slave Codes & Black Laws with Victoria Robinson

Research at the National Archives and Beyond

It is essential when attempting to trace enslaved ancestors that one become familiar with the laws of each pertinent state or territory regarding the institution of slavery. Without such a survey of the laws, valuable information can often be overlooked. Knowledge of laws and their associated records can alert the researcher to more obscure sources of information. Victoria Robinson is an experienced genealogist who, while growing up in Utah, started tracing her family history. After graduating Georgetown University, she continued to be curious of mind and passionate about genealogy. Combining these traits, she also works to help others discover their roots. For nearly 30 years, she has worked as a senior librarian at the Annandale [VA] Family History Center, where she assists patrons and staff with their research and serves as the staff expert in African American genealogy. She has presented at various local and national genealogy/history conferences over the past 19 years on the topics of research methodology, and using various strategies to uncover African-American family history and genealogy. Opeing Music: Sweet Mellow Spice by AK Alexander