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Welcome to the Oklahoma African American Griots
Special Project! As representatives for the State of Oklahoma we are proud
to be a part of the United States African American Griots Special Project
and the USGenWeb Project. Information on this website is freely
available to anyone with an interest in their African heritage in
Oklahoma.
Genealogy research in Oklahoma is fascinating! Prior to becoming a
state in 1907, Oklahoma experienced numerous changes in ethnic influence.
The Trail of Tears brought the Indians from eastern tribes, and with them,
their slaves. It is nearly impossible to research African American
history in Oklahoma and not do research into the various Indian tribes we
represent. In 1890, when the first Federal
census was made of the Five Civilized Tribes, there was a population of 109,393
whites and 18,636 Negroes, as compared with a total of 50,055 Indians.
In the 1880's efforts began to establish Oklahoma as a territory where black people could
exercise the right of self-determination. African
Americans, some who were former slaves of Indians, took part in the runs or
accepted their allotments as tribal members. In the years that followed, black
pioneers founded and settled entire communities in or near Arcadia, Boley,
Langston, and Taft. Some of these wonderful towns are now gone and
forgotten, others thrive in the warm Oklahoma sun.
We hope you will find this project helpful in searching for your ancestors
who contributed so generously to the history of our great state! |
