A local course in New Jersey, led by Genealogy Librarian Regina Fitzpatrick, delves into the state’s slavery and emancipation laws of the 19th century. Originally introduced in 2018 to commemorate Juneteenth, the course underwent an update in 2024, offering participants a rich blend of online and print resources to uncover the historical narratives of African Americans in the state.
The updated course, titled ‘Jersey’, provides access to a variety of resources, including lecture slides available on the Genealogy Research Guide. These materials, though primarily digital, also direct students to the New Jersey State Archives for collections that are not yet digitized. Among the digitized resources are the Hornblower Decision text, Early Land Records Database, and Supreme Court Case Files Database, shedding light on legal aspects such as manumission through Writ of Habeas Corpus.
In addition to archival documents, the New Jersey State Archives offer digital collections such as the Hunterdon County Manumissions and Burlington County Slave Births, offering insights into the lives and experiences of enslaved individuals. However, certain collections, like the Bureau of Archives and History (BAH) Manuscripts, remain inaccessible online.
The course also incorporates extracts from American Newspapers, including accounts of a failed slave revolt in Somerset County, providing historical context and perspectives on resistance against slavery. Participants seeking further information on significant events, such as the Van Wickle Human Trafficking Ring, are directed to additional resources such as blog posts, Juneteenth Celebration Lectures, and interviews with Archivist Vivian Thiele.
Furthermore, the course offers links to print resources available at the New Jersey State Library, authored by renowned historians like Gary K. Wolinetz, Daniel Allen Hearn, James J. Gigantino II, and Graham Russell Hodges. Additionally, participants can explore digitized content on the Van Wickle Trafficking Ring through the Rutgers University Scarlet and Black Research Center.
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By combining a diverse range of resources, both digital and print, the ‘Jersey’ course provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of New Jersey’s complex history of slavery and emancipation. Through engagement with primary sources, scholarly works, and archival materials, participants are encouraged to explore and reflect on the legacy of slavery and the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality in the state.