By Gretchen Beilfuss Witt

Rowan Public Library

Just in the last month, Rowan Public Library has added a new database that offers specific assistance to anybody who is researching African-American genealogy — African American Heritage (AAH). Currently, the database is highlighted on the upper middle bar of the library website as well as on the History & Genealogy page.

This resource is available from home with a library card number or by accessing at the library through the library computers or personal devices. To access the database, go to the library website, click on African American Heritage, entering your library card number when it requests a barcode number, include all zeroes.

Available in AAH are essential historical records used for genealogy — census records, marriage and cohabitation records, military drafts and registers of slaves and free persons of color, as well as Freedman Bank records. While some of these records are available on other databases the library offers, these are already specifically filtered to assist in finding people of color.

Cohabitation records can be vital in linking folks to their ancestors who may have been enslaved. In 1866 in North Carolina, the assembly passed an act that declared any “Negroes or Persons of Color or Mixed Blood” could register their pre-emancipation marriage. In other words, if a couple had been living as husband and wife, they could appear before the clerk of court of the county in which they lived and say they had been married since such and such a date and intended to continue as a married couple.

The clerk then recorded their names and the date of the “marriage.” These records, of course, do not represent all slave marriages, but it is a good start. Many of the certificates of cohabitation give other clues that might be helpful in the pursuit of information about an enslaved ancestor; often the slave holder is named.

For example, in the 544th entry in the Rowan County cohabitation registry a “Pleasant Steele, late a slave of Alfred L. Johnson and Nancy Murphy late a slave of James Murphy” declare they have been living as man and wife since 1861 and wish to continue registered on the 23rd of June 1866. AAH supplies not only Rowan County cohabitation bonds but 15 other NC counties as well.

AAH also provides a link to the AfriGeneas Community which is a social networking website providing expert advice in the research of African-American family origins. AfriGeneas provides advice in researching techniques as well as access to some records. A chat page and other social networking opportunities may help find others who are researching a specific family line.

Not a static resource, AAH is adding materials continually; they have a portion of the database dedicated to publications which are available — books like “Free African Americans of North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina” by Paul Heinegg or James Rose’s “Tapestry” which lists genealogies of particular families including slaves.

The book “Black Genesis” is also available through AAH and specifies the records from each state that might be helpful in tracking African American ancestors. California, for instance, has black voting lists from Los Angeles as far back as 1892, military records from manuscript collections from colored infantry units in the Civil War and the Spanish-American War.

Illinois has a link to a database for “Servitude and Emancipation Records (1722–1863)” which includes registrations, emancipation and auction records. For those searching for their African-American ancestors African American Heritage can provide an entirely new group of resources in their genealogical quest.

Computer basics class: Tuesday, Feb. 9, 7-8:30 p.m. or Thursday, Feb. 25, 9:30-11 a.m. at headquarters., 201 W. Fisher St. If you’re new to computers or have never felt comfortable with them, this is the class for you. We’ll go over the very basics of computers, from computer components to how programs are opened and closed. Class on second floor of library.

iPad basics: Tuesday, Feb. 23, 7-8 p.m., headquarters. Become a confident iPad user in this free class. Discuss components, navigation and the use of apps. Requirements: Pre-registration; bring your own iPad; iPad needs to be charged and have an updated iOS (operating system); bring a current, valid Apple ID.  Free sign-up at:  https://appleid.apple.com/. Space is limited, so call Paul Birkhead at 704-216-8242 to reserve your spot. Class on second floor of library.

Castlebay in concert: Tuesday, Feb. 23, 7-9 p.m., headquarters. Castlebay, a duo from Maine, has been weaving together the heritage of New England and the Celtic lands in song since 1987. Admission is free thanks to sponsorship by Friends of Rowan Public Library and Cheerwine. Program starts at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6:30. Sample Castlebay’s music at www.castlebay.net.

Celebrate Seuss: Saturday, Feb. 27, 10:30 a.m.-noon, East branch, Rockwell. Children of all ages are invited to celebrate Dr. Seuss and his very own “Day of all Days.” For if he’d never been born, well then what would we do? No Horton? No Lorax? No Thing One or Thing Two? That really just isn’t a world we can envision so come join us this day for a great celebration. Light refreshments included.

Book Bites Book Club: South (China Grove), Tuesday, Feb. 23, 6-7 p.m. Free, open to the public. We discuss a different book each month and serve refreshments loosely related to the theme. “The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake” by Aimee Bender. Need a copy? Call 704-216-7841.

Learn.Act.Grow.: Personal safety. Monday, Feb. 22, 5:30-7 p.m., headquarters. Free. What would you do if someone approached you in a dark parking lot when you were alone? Learn tips and techniques from local experts on vehicle, home and personal safety. Led by Sidekick Karate and Salisbury Police Department. Register online or by calling 704-216-7734 to ensure a spot.

Genealogy Class: Saturday, Feb. 27, 10 a.m.-noon, headquarters. Co-hosted by the Genealogical Society of Rowan County and the History Room, this series of classes will explore the genealogical resources and techniques available in the library and online. This session will be in the computer lab and will cover some more popular databases that are available for free through the library or otherwise including Ancestry, Fold3, Family Search and some software programs to help organize and store genealogical materials.

Displays: Headquarters, log cabins from North Hills Christian School; South, South Rowan High SchoolCorriher-Lipe Middle School student art; East, Barbies.

Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second  language.