Primary Sources
African Americans
1800 ~ 1870

It is the duty of every good citizen to use all the opportunities which occur to him for preserving documents relating to the history of our country.

~ Thomas Jefferson, 1823

For a better understanding of primary and secondary sources, read the following.
                Why Study History Through Primary Sources?
             Primary Sources from Springfield Township High School Virtual Library
                created by Joyce Valenza 
Census Records
Vital Records ~ birth and death
City Directories
Church Records ~ can be local or denomination headquarters
Documents
Land Records ~ deeds and maps
Fire Insurance Maps
First Person Narratives