Why is my family's Ethnicity African American when they are not from Africa?
African American was not a Census classification within the 1800s, therefore, how is it that my great great grandparents born within the 1800s in the U.S. are misclassified as African American?
Answers
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FYI
Welcome to the "Community.FamilySearch" Forum.
I am just another 'lowly' User/Patron ...
Just in passing ...
So, that we may better, be able to help/assist you ...
Question: WHERE, are you 'seeing' this "Misclassification"?
Please advise/ clarify.
[ Plus, a "Screenshot"; as, an "Example", would be helpful ... ]
'Thank You' in advance.
Brett
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Are you in a position to make corrections? If so, thank you for responding to me. My great grandfather was classified as Negro/African American. He was born in 1892 when African American was not a Census classification. This makes it difficult for his descendants to claim tribal affiliation when we are being misclassified.
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FYI
Again ...
Question: WHERE, are you 'seeing' this "Misclassification"?
ie. Where ,is your Great Grandfather, classified; as, "Negro"/"African American"?
eg.
▬ A "Source"; being, a "Census" record (or, maybe a Birth/Marriage/Death; or, something else) ...
▬ On his "Person/Details" page/screen, under the Section of "Other Information"; as, "Facts" - ie. "Race"
▬ Or, something else
Please advise/ clarify.
[ Plus, a "Screenshot"; as, an "Example", would be helpful ... ]
'Thank You' in advance.
Brett
ps: IF, such is actually recorded, on a "Census"; THEN, that may NOT, be able, to be "Changed" ...
..... UNLESS, of course, such is an "Indexing", TRANSCRIPTION Error ...
.
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Contess26,
Welcome to the user community for genealogy sharing, research, and collaborative building of a single world connected tree called "Family Tree".
Question: "Are you in a position to make corrections? "
Answer: hard to say what advice a user can opine, share thoughts about, or refer you to known resources if they exist, without knowing a specific document.
Broadly, a genealogist doesn't create the categories a census taker is instructed to use, but he or she is basically stuck with the document "as is" to weigh with other evidence and sources, in an attempt to create as accurate as a life story that can be created from the same.
You are definitely in the "genealogy lane" when you seek specifics and question "context and norms"...
best of luck in the quest~
ps. as an aside, the census.gov/ website might have insight for a particular federal census year if your research goes that route. attached is an example for 1870 enumerator instructions:
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I just checked the Census and Ancestry for official documents. On the official documents it says American. This is a 3rd party site (family search site). I didn't know that until now so, the information on here doesn't matter anymore. I am deleting this account and using a more factual accurate site. @Harvest8 thank you for a better understanding. I was able to figure this out with the Census link you provided.
As for you @Brett . I couldn't care less for your assistance. I'm not sure if you are computer savvy, but using all caps is a form of yelling. Maybe you should seek counseling for such behavior or simply grow up. Just a thought. Take care!
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Hey Countess26, glad your research journey continues and you've found resources to fit that direction.
in, re. Brett, I follow his prolific guidance "shares" within the community boards when I periodically drop in to understand latest trends on best techniques and features and/or seek help. He, like all of us, are just users volunteering in a platform driven by the desire to help each other. Yes, he uses a cut and paste technique I now recognize as a "time saver step" on his side. Caps are for emphasis, I believe, not to boast or yell...if you look at his body of "helps" there is a warm intent found in that context, I believe. (IMO)
all the best, cheers~
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@Harvest8 I have spent most of my life volunteering and helping people. I have never used all caps to get my point across. All caps is yelling. If you are typing a thought and your thought is clear, there is no need to use emphasis unless you have gotten away with being rude all of your life.
I will never excuse that kind of behavior and don't care who he is or what he has done. Maybe some people put up with it because they are in need. I don't need him, therefore, the truth will stand. Sorry to take up your time, but I can't stand people like that.
All the best to you as well
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FYI
It's 'Brett'.
I have been helping/assisting OTHERS, for well over x40 Years ...
In this "Community.FamilySearch" Forum ...
[ And, the other 'iterations' of the 'FamilySearch' "Feedback" Forums ... ]
My 'Style', is my 'Style'; and, I care NOT, what others, think about it, it's not about to change ...
Some (possibly, Many), DO NOT, like my 'Style' ...
Each to their own ...
But ...
That Said ...
I have helped/assisted others ...
And, I will continue to help/assist others, regardless ...
As an aside ...
I was NOT, actually offering, help/assistance ...
I was merely, trying to gain/elicit, more "Detail" from you; so that, any of us, who participate, in this "Community.FamilySearch" Forum, may better, be able to assist/help you.
That is all ...
Nothing more, nothing less ...
It is unfortunate, that you focused on my "Style', rather than my 'Question' ...
I am sorry, that you DO NOT like my "Style' ...
Such is life ...
Good Luck.
Kind Regards.
Brett
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