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Genealogical researchers are calling very valuable an Illinois government Web site that contains the names of former slave holders. The names were collected after Illinois passed a law requiring any insurance company doing business in the state research and report policies issued to slaveholders in any state for death or damage to slaves. Most of the slaves listed had Charleston, South Carolina owners. The records show how much value owners placed on their slaves and how slaves just didn't work in the field. Some of the slaves listed had more skilled jobs like butcher or tailor. Steve Tuttle of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History says the Illinois Web site could be helpful for anybody doing African-American genealogical research. [more]

Slavery Under Glass. New black-history museums try to balance authenticity and uplift. [more ]