African American Resources for Alaska

Introduction
A list of available resources about African Americans in Alaska prior to 1860 and up to 2004.

Online Resources

 * Alaska, Vital Records, 1816-1959 - has birth, marriage, and death records from 1816 to 1912 (for births) and 1959 (for marriages and deaths)
 * Alaska's Cultures: African American

History
African Americans began settling in Alaska around the time of the Civil War. Before this, some African Americans migrated to Alaska and worked as seamen or miners. After the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867, the US Army assigned a small number of African Americans to keep the peace. More settlers came after the discovery of gold in the 1890s. However, a greater influx of African Americans to Alaska occurred during World War II, when African American engineers and troops were assigned to construct the Alaska Highway. To learn more about the history of Alaska, and the role that African Americans played, visit:


 * Alaska's Cultures: African Americans
 * History of Alaska (Wiki book)
 * Black History in Alaska
 * BlackPast.org - contains articles about famous African Americans and the role African Americans played in the construction of the Alaska Highway
 * Men Who Built the Alaska Highway (PBS)

Biographies

 * Guide to the E. Louis Overstreet papers 1972, 1981-1993 (Consortium Library)

Military Records
After the purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867, the US Army assigned a small number of African Americans to keep the peace. A large migration of African Americans to Alaska occurred during WWII, when African American engineers and troops were assigned to construct the Alaska Highway. To learn more about this and other African American military history, see The Road to Civil Rights: WWII - The Alaska Highway (US Department of Transportation).

Birth
The Alaska, Vital Records, 1816-1959 collection contains Alaska birth records from 1816 to 1912. The information found on these records can include: name, birth date and place, race, number of child in family, maiden name of mother, father, age of parents, residence and birth place of parents, occupation of father, live or stillbirth, cause of stillbirth, and information. To learn more, visit this wiki page.

Marriage
The Alaska, Vital Records, 1816-1959 collection contains Alaska marriage records from 1816 to 1959. The information found on these records can include: names of bride and groom, residence, date and place of marriage, age, race, birthplace, occupation, previous marriages, witnesses, and officiator. To learn more, visit this wiki page.

Death
The Alaska, Vital Records, 1816-1959 collection contains Alaska death records from 1816 to 1959. The information found on these records can include: name, date and place of death, date and place of birth, date and place of burial, occupation, residence, race, gender, physical description, marital status, cause of death, names and birthplaces of parents, relatives, informant, and name of undertaker. To learn more, visit this wiki page.

Archives and Libraries
Consortium Library University of Alaska Anchorage /Alaska Pacific University 3211 Providence Drive Anchorage, AK& 99508 (907) 786-1848 Hours &Ask A Librarian

Societies
AAHS of Alaska P. O. Box 143105 Anchorage, Alaska 99514-3105