United States, Freedman's Bank Records - FamilySearch Historical Records

Record Description
The registers identify those who opened accounts. Because the Freedman’s Bank was required by law to protect the interests of depositors’ heirs, the branches collected an enormous amount of personal information about each depositor and his or her family when the account was opened. The registers cover approximately the years 1865 to 1874.

Each register book consists of printed forms, with information for four depositors on each page. The registers are arranged chronologically by the date the account was established and then numerically by account number. Many numbers are missing, a few are out of order, and some blocks of numbers were never used. Many registers seem to be missing.

The Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company was established and incorporated by an act of Congress on March 3, 1865, as a banking institution in Washington, D.C., primarily for the benefit of freed slaves and former African American military personnel. It was commonly called the Freedman’s Bank; however, it was not under the supervision of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands (Freedmen’s Bureau).

The Registers of Signatures of Depositors in Branches of the Freedman’s Savings and Trust Company contain the records of 29 branches of the Freedmen’s Bank. The registers identify those who opened accounts. Because the Freedman’s Bank was required by law to protect the interests of depositors’ heirs, the branches collected an enormous amount of personal information about each depositor and his or her family when the account was opened.

Registers of depositors are usually reliable because the information came from the depositor himself or from a close family member (in the case of children). Some errors may have been made in recording the information.

The branches were located in the following cities:


 * Atlanta, Georgia
 * Augusta, Georgia
 * Baltimore, Maryland
 * Beaufort, South Carolina
 * Charleston, South Carolina
 * Columbus, Mississippi
 * Huntsville, Alabama
 * Lexington, Kentucky
 * Little Rock, Arkansas
 * Louisville, Kentucky
 * Lynchburg, Virginia
 * Memphis, Tennessee
 * Mobile, Alabama
 * Nashville, Tennessee
 * Natchez, Mississippi
 * New Bern, North Carolina
 * New Orleans, Louisiana
 * New York, New York
 * Norfolk, Virginia
 * Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
 * Raleigh, North Carolina
 * Richmond, Virginia
 * Savannah, Georgia
 * Shreveport, Louisiana
 * St. Louis, Missouri
 * Tallahassee, Florida
 * Vicksburg, Mississippi
 * Washington, D.C.
 * Wilmington, North Carolina

In 1874, overwhelmed by the effects of the Panic of 1873, mismanagement, abuse, and fraud, the Freedman’s Bank closed. Congress appointed a three-member board and later the Comptroller of the Currency to oversee the affairs of the bank. The Comptroller was made commissioner exofficio, and he submitted annual reports to Congress. The Freedman’s Bank final report was made in 1920. Contrary to what many of its depositors were led to believe, the bank’s assets were not protected by the federal government. While half of the depositors eventually received about three-fifths of the value of their accounts, others received nothing. Well into the 20th century, some depositors and their heirs were still seeking reimbursement for the remaining portions of their accounts. Depositors included about 67,000 African Americans, or about two percent of the former slave population. In addition, thousands of non–African Americans made deposits at the bank. These people were primarily immigrants who were born in the British Isles, Scandinavia, and Continental Europe. Depositors listed the names of close relatives. All together, the records lists about 480,000 names.

Record Content
The registers may contain the following information:


 * Account number
 * Name of depositor
 * Date of application
 * Birthplace
 * Place brought up
 * Residence
 * Age
 * Complexion
 * Occupation
 * Name of employer
 * Spouse’s name
 * Children’s names
 * Father’s name
 * Mother’s name
 * Brothers’ and sisters’ names

Additional information included only in the early books were:


 * Name of former master or mistress
 * Name of plantation
 * Regiment and company served in during the Civil War

Sometimes the following information is also included:


 * Wife’s maiden name or the name of a former spouse
 * Names of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and in-laws
 * Residence of these individuals and whether they were living or dead
 * Death certificate copies

In addition to individuals, African American churches, private businesses, and beneficial societies also maintained accounts. Such accounts usually list the names of leaders, owners, or officials of those institutions.

How to Use the Records
When searching: As you are searching, it is helpful to know such information as your ancestor's given name and surname, some identifying information such as residence, age, and family relationships.

Freedman’s Bank registers are a good source to quickly identify a family group and residence. Use a person’s birthplace, age, and place of residence to search for census and other record types. The bank records probably identify persons for whom other records do not exist.

Search the Collection
Fill in the requested information in the initial search page. This search will return a list of possible matches. Compare the information about the ancestors in the list to what you already know about your ancestors to determine if this is the correct family or person. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to find your ancestor.

To browse by image: To search the collection you will need to follow this series of links: ⇒Select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the “Film" category which takes you to the images

Search the collection by image comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine if the image relates to them. You may need to look at several images and compare the information about the individuals listed in those images to your ancestors to make this determination.

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Related Websites
Registers of signatures of depositors in branches of the Freedman's Savings and Trust Company, 1865-1874

Related Wiki Articles

 * African American Freedmen's Bureau Records
 * African American Freedman's Saving and Trust Company Records
 * African American Research

Citations for This Collection
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