The African-American Families Database project is hosted by the Central Virginia History Researchers (CVHR), a unique partnership between local historians, anthropologists, database designers, and community residents. CVHR is developing an on-line database for connecting African-American families to their antebellum roots and tracing patterns of community formation in the post-bellum period.

We are experimenting with ways to trace ante-bellum ancestors, locate descendants of enslaved individuals, and map social networks.

CVHR meets monthly at Monticello and welcome visitors and new researchers. Our members work on diverse local research projects with the current focus on the database to connect freedpeople back to enslaved families.Read our blog to learn more.