The Federal Writers’ Project
Between 1936-1938, interviewers associated with the Federal Writers’ Project (FWP) took first-hand accounts of slavery. Today the Library of Congress holds a treasure trove of more than 2,300 slave narratives and 500 photos of formerly enslaved people. About seventy-two years passed from the end of the Civil War to the time when the FWP interviewed people. Most of those interviewed were young kids at the end of the Civil War and slavery. These accounts are primary sources because the interviewers spoke to people who experienced slavery directly. These narratives give us a snapshot of their life. It is by no means a full story, but it helps us to learn about these individuals and others that lived as enslaved people in America before the Civil War.
Photograph of Elijah Cox, formerly enslaved-retrieved from the Federal Writer’s Project. Click here to visit the Federal Writer’s Project located at the Library of Congress https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/99615269/
Recollection as an Enslaved Child on a Georgia Plantation
Emmaline Heard was interviewed when she was an older woman in 1936. She lived around the Flat Rock area from 1860 through the end of the Civil War. This area was located along Georgia's DeKalb, Henry, and Rockdale county borders. In 1936, Emmaline Heard was interviewed about her experiences as an enslaved person. She spoke from her heart and gave us a snapshot of her childhood.
The Flat Rock Archive used Emmaline Heard’s interview to create a story to help you learn about Emmaline. The Flat Rock Archive website is a secondary source about the life of Emmaline Heard. The interview located in the Slave Narrative Collection on the Library of Congress (LOC) website is a primary source.
Flat Rock Community Member that was Born as an Enslaved Person
Tom Christian was born as an enslaved person around 1855. He was a member of the African American Flat Rock Community. He was a trusted community member and an early trustee of the Flat Rock Methodist church.
The Flat Rock Archive has primary sources that help us to learn more about him. Some of these primary sources include census reports, death certificates, community handwritten journals, and photographs.
Close up photo of 1910 Georgia Census Report
Tom Christian of the African American Flat Rock Community. He was born as an enslaved person about 1855.
Map of Northern Georgia, 1864. This image is archived in the Library of Congress.