This is the very best thing that sites like Ancestry.com have been able to produce: people now connecting with each other, and sharing information about their shared history. Bravo to the NYT for this series
5
Amazing documentaries!
I believe a National Museum about Slavery is needed
In USA
2
I am so excited to read the 1619 articles, read these individual essays and listen to the podcast. What an incredible project this is and I am grateful to have the opportunity to read it.
3
I can read articles and books and watch documentaries and movies on slavery in America, but until I saw the actual documentation of the sales receipt listing the price of human beings. what was mostly intellectual. became a sickening reality. If this series isn't already, it should be important evidence in the fight for reparations from the United States Government to the ancestors of black slaves.
3
Brava and Bravo to these people who did the research and cared enough to upload photos and tell their stories.
I am so, so touched and humbled.
7
I can't add anything new, but I too am thankful to the people who shared their stories. It puts a personal face on a period in our history that was not so admirable making it vivid and real.
1
I listened to every single word of each episode of this remarkable tracing of our history in America. While listening, I heard many stories that I had heard before, but I was also able to hear some stories for the very first time.
I realize more fully now that every single moment of my life, and the lives of my family before me, and my children, and their children after them carry today, and will carry forever the weight of these sinful, selfish evils of the past with us. We will be carrying the perpetual pain and stains of these horrible acts forever. The stains cannot be cleansed, washed, or treated with removal methods of any kind; nor can the deep pain of the scars that resulted in sufferings and deaths be alleviated by any medication. There are no words that can alleviate the pains. Words that ask forgiveness, and/or words of apology will not erase the wrongs.
I can see only one way forward, and that is a solemn individual promise within the heart and spirit of each American to work in every possible way to stop the continuing damage of now, and find every possible solution inside each of our hearts and minds to stop the evils of today, and prevent the evils from continuing forever.
4
Thank you NYT. Interesting and amazing!
Thank you! What a shame we don't teach school children across America about these personal accounts.
7
Very emotional.
2
These stories are wonderful. Thanks to the NYT for the amazing series on the history and impacts of slavery and racial discrimination in this country.
I would love to read more stories like these.
3
I found one of the publications edited by Jefferson Lewis Edmonds can be accessed on line. Fascinating reading.
https://www.jledmondsproject.com/the-archive
1
An awesome gathering of information that motivates me to maybe one day have something of historical interest and significance as it relates to the black experience in America.
2
Thanks to all for these important stories and to the NYT for the 1619 project.
7
To the person who wrote about the Hairston family.....do you know of the book by Henry Wiencek called "The Hairstons"? It is excellent and probably relates to your family.
From Amazon:
"Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award
The Hairstons is the extraordinary story of the largest family in America, the Hairston clan. With several thousand black and white members, the Hairstons share a complex and compelling history: divided in the time of slavery, they have come to embrace their past as one family.
The black family's story is most exceptional. It is the account of the rise of a remarkable people―the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of slaves―who took their rightful place in mainstream America."
2
Truly inspiring. Our respect and admiration for these individuals and their descendants knows no limits.
3
This is an important part of the 1619 Project. It's these personal stories and memories that reveal the true evil of slavery, and the extraordinary resilience, bravery and perseverance of people who survived it.
3
So touching and yet saddening. Thanks for sharing such a valuable legacy. May God bless their souls.
Very powerful and moving.
3
Excellent! Thanks to all who share these stories of their relatives. It puts real humanity into the horrible story of American slavery.
8
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful ...
6
These are amazing stories. Think how many others remain untold, buried by centuries of racism. Keep digging, New York Times.
9
As the genealogist for our family, my research has uncovered similar documentation. America needs to be aware of the history of ALL it's citizens. These examples are truly jewels in the rich tapestry that make up the fabric of the history of this country... I encourage everyone to share their unique stories!
5
Thank you, so sad but ultimately uplifting.
4
I really enjoyed reading this article with all the one of kind content please do more!!!
3
Heart-breaking, inspiring, beyond belief are words that come to mind. I teared-
up reading these offerings of hope and healing. God bless you who have traced and now generously shared your found family history with us. We are in your debt and in awe.
6
This type of project should be expanded across various media.
These stories and the history uncovered (and no longer lost to time) need to be part of curricula in schools all across this country.
14
Very thankful for these stories.
12
I appreciate the sharing in these stories. One writer says she harbors no anger towards anyone in the enslavers families. I don't know why that has to always be said so people won't get all defensive. What I would say, for myself, is I would like the bits and pieces of my family history that is in the possession of those enslaver descendants. Sharing any records and artifacts would be a good start. If there is any guilt on their behalf they will need to deal with it just as we, the descendants of the enslaved, deal with our emotions about the past.
17
I wish I could walk into every home in America and discover people's family histories. So fascinating. I'm grateful to every amateur historian who treasures these documents, photos, memories and stories.
11
It's a privilege to read these stories and see these photographs. Painful and healing all at once.
23
Thank you to those who shared their stories, and thank you NYT for the 1619 Project.
39