913 documented Black ancestors, drawn from public records such as death indexes and county histories. Every name below is a real person in the public record.
913Documented ancestors
1764Earliest record
10Generations
The name
The Black name in the record
Where the records place them: Iowa (98%), out of 908 Black records with a known place.
The most common first names among them: Robert, John, Mary, Donald and William.
Of the 896 with both a birth and a death year, the median lifespan was 78 years.
The earliest recorded birth is Hannah Black, born 1764 in Pennsylvania.
Documented Black families on this page come from Biographical Record of Champaign County, Ohio, History of Muscatine County, Iowa and Biographical Record of Union County, Ohio.
Documented families
Black families we’ve reconstructed
Real Black family groups pieced together from the public record — parents, spouse, and children, each with the source that proves it. Recognize your line? Tap a family and we’ll start your documented tree from it.
childrenSamuel E. Black · Isaac F. Black · Henry E. Black · Jasper A. Black · Peter A. Black · Mary L. Black · Emma Black · Charles B. Black · Cora Black
Found your Black? We trace the whole line — both sides, back to the documented wall — into a written book & interactive family site. No DNA test; a free call before you spend a dollar.
Common questions
Black genealogy — FAQ
Where were Black ancestors recorded?
Where the records place them: Iowa (98%), out of 908 Black records with a known place.
How far back does the Black family tree go?
The documented line here reaches back to 1764. Most Black lines can be traced to the end of the surviving public record.
Are living Black family members listed here?
No. Deceased ancestors only, from public records. Living people are excluded for privacy.
Is this my Black family?
If a name here matches your family, it may well be. A full documented build confirms exactly how your line connects.