Transcribing Freedmen's Bureau Papers

Community Transcribe-a-thon

Celebrate Juneteenth by helping to transcribe freedmen's papers from the Smithsonian collection. No previous knowledge is necessary, and transcribers of all experience levels are welcome.

The transcribe-a-thon starts with an introduction to transcribing papers online, then attendees will select and transcribe a batch of papers. Drop in at any time during the program and stay as long as you want. Laptops are available, but you can also bring your own.

The Freedmen’s Bureau Transcription Project by the Smithsonian Institution allows family historians, genealogists, students, and scholars around the world easier access to Freedmen’s Bureau documents and increases understanding of the post-Civil War era.

The United States Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands (the “Freedmen's Bureau”) was created in 1865 to assist in the political and social reconstruction of post-war America. It helped formerly enslaved people make the transition from slavery to freedom and citizenship. In the process, the Bureau created millions of records. Most documents have been digitized, but many still need to be transcribed.  

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