United States, Indenture and Manumission Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

What is in This Collection?
Indenture and manumission records from various states in the United States for years 1780-1939.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records: • 2

How Do I Search This Collection?
Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:
 * The name of the enslaved individual
 * Name of the owner

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * Add the new information to your records
 * Use the information to find the person in other records
 * Analyze the entry to see if if provides additional clues to find other records of the person or their family

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * The person may be recorded with an abbreviated or variant form of their name
 * Try searching by surname only

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in the United States.
 * United States Guided Research
 * United States Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies

Related Family History Library Holdings

 * Pennsylvania Abolition Society Manumissions and indentures, ca. 1780-1840

Related FamilySearch Historical Record Collections

 * United States Census (Slave Schedule), 1850
 * United States Census (Slave Schedule), 1860
 * Virginia, Slave Birth Index, 1853 - 1866

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.