Due to incomplete records or the lack of records, Andalusia Public Library officials said it can sometimes be difficult to trace the lineage of black families.

Genealogy Librarian Linda Harrell said that prior to the abolishment of slavery, slaves were not always counted on Census records, which provides a challenge when looking up lineages.

Occasionally, slave owners did list slaves on the Census. But even that wasn’t always complete.

Harrell said another way she’s been able to trace lineage is through wills.

Oftentimes, slave holders would leave specific slaves to certain children and the wills would list the names of the slaves.

Harrell is searching for any black history to create more accurate and complete records for families wishing to know more about their ancestors.

The photograph shown above is from the Alabama Archives in Montgomery and Harrell wishes to find out who the ladies are in it.

Anyone who has information about the ladies or has genealogy information and is willing to share with the APL, may contact the library at 222-6612.