Harvard has unveiled a comprehensive database detailing 1,613 enslaved individuals associated with the University, aiding descendants in tracing their heritage.
Harvard University has taken a significant step in confronting its historical ties to slavery by publishing a database that identifies 1,613 individuals who were enslaved by its leaders, faculty, or staff from 1636 to 1865. This initiative forms part of the broader Harvard Slavery Remembrance Program (HSRP), and represents a vital resource for researchers and descendants aiming to uncover their family histories.
The recent database release is an update following the findings in the 2022 Report of the Presidential Committee on Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery, which initially identified just over 70 enslaved individuals. The expanded HSRP database includes essential details such as names, locations, and documented dates pertaining to these individuals, as well as identifying the Harvard affiliates responsible for their enslavement. American Ancestors, the oldest genealogical nonprofit in the United States, serves as a key research partner for the Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery Initiative.
“Our goal has been to respectfully and accurately document these individuals and the history surrounding them,” said Sara Bleich, vice provost for special projects at Harvard and head of the H&LS Initiative. “The journey from 70 to 1,613 demonstrates the genealogical rigor and collaboration involved, and while we recognize our work is ongoing, this milestone is significant.”
The database results from meticulous genealogical and archival research. Unlike conventional genealogical research that often traces lineages from the present backward, the approach here necessitates starting with historical figures and tracing forward to find descendants. “This requires a unique depth of investigation,” explained Lindsay Fulton, chief research officer at American Ancestors. “We essentially perform dual genealogical research for both enslaved persons and their enslavers.”
The effort began with compiling a comprehensive list of University affiliates who held relevant positions during the slavery era. Given that Harvard lacked a centralized staff registry until recently, researchers were tasked with sifting through an array of sources—including handwritten meeting notes, stewards’ books, legislative documents, and other historical records—to recreate a roster of the University's leadership and staff from the colonial and antebellum periods. This exhaustive labor has enabled the verification of nearly 3,000 titles within Harvard’s historical framework.
“My hope is that, over time, unflinching self-examination will ripple outward; Harvard will be a leader not only in scholarship but in demonstrating institutional honesty and humility in confronting the complexities of our past,” stated Henry Louis Gates Jr., a member of the initiative's Advisory Council.
Researching the profiles of those who enslaved individuals required a thorough understanding of the University’s evolving structure and the various positions in place at different times. For instance, members of the Board of Overseers were often tied to colonial governance or religious institutions, and the criteria for their selection fluctuated over the years.
Researchers also focused on the documented evidence that confirmed which individuals enslaved people. These accounts have been valuable not only for establishing identities but also for piecing together circumstances surrounding the enslavement. From the 1,613 identified, researchers have confirmed that 259 of them were directly connected to Harvard as enslavers, with continuous work to expand this number.
Conducting genealogical research on both enslavers and the enslaved involves significant diligence, particularly given that enslaved individuals were often referred to in passing, sometimes as property, which creates challenges in tracing their histories. Furthermore, names could shift through time, complicating the identification process.
The increase in identified individuals aligns with the presidential committee's expectations regarding the growth of the H&LS Initiative. This initiative, established in 2022, aims to implement the comprehensive recommendations laid out in the report, which included strategies to support genealogical research and assist living descendants of enslaved individuals.
Recognizing that the database remains a work in progress, Harvard and American Ancestors commit to continual updates, with efforts underway to further identify more enslaved individuals connected to University affiliates and to trace their descendants. Researchers have so far pinpointed around 600 living descendants and will continue sharing updates at key milestones, enhancing the broader mission of institutions exploring their connections to slavery.
As noted by Gates, “Every chapter in history, every family tree, and every institution has its shadows and surprises.” The complex endeavor of accurately tracing these histories is not only a journey of uncovering the past but a crucial step toward deeper self-awareness for the institution itself.
For those interested in exploring the HSRP database, understanding the research methodologies involved, or seeking genealogical resources, more information can be found on the Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery website.
Discussion
Sign in to join the discussion.