Genealogy Preparation, Institutional Review, and the Role of Certified Genealogists

Part One explained who the Freedmen are.

Part Two explained how Freedmen status is verified.

Part Three explains how genealogy is prepared, who may do that work, how Certified Genealogists within the Trust review submissions for approval, and how records are protected over time.

---

Genealogy Preparation by Unverified Freedmen

Unverified Freedmen are not required to use a Certified Genealogist to build their family tree.

Most families prepare their genealogy using widely available research platforms such as Ancestry.com and FamilySearch, which provide access to census records, vital records, and historical documents.

Unverified Freedmen may:

• Conduct their own genealogical research, most often through Ancestry.com or FamilySearch

• Build and organize their family tree digitally using these platforms

• Submit a family tree prepared by a family member, including trees created for family reunions or historical preservation

• Hire an external Certified Genealogist to build their family tree and locate historical records for submission

All of these preparation methods are permitted.

---

Primary Records Required for Review

While families may prepare their own genealogy, certain primary records are required for verification review.

The primary records required are:

• A documented family tree, and

• At least one 1860, 1870, or 1880 U.S. Census record

At least one great-grandparent connected within the family tree must appear on one of these census records.

These records establish:

• Presence during or immediately following the period of U.S. slavery

• Generational continuity between the living applicant and Reconstruction-era ancestors

• A defensible historical anchor for verification

Without this connection, records cannot be properly validated.

---

What the Trust Requires for Submission

The Trust does not verify belief, narrative, or self-identification.

It verifies records.

Family trees and census records must align and clearly demonstrate generational continuity. Additional records may support the review, but the family tree and census record form the foundation.

Preparation is flexible.

Verification is records-based and structured.

---

The Role of the Certified Genealogist

Certified Genealogists operate within the Trust and are not a prerequisite for families before submission.

Their role is to:

• Review submitted family trees and census records

• Confirm historical consistency and continuity

• Identify missing documentation or conflicts

• Ensure submissions meet institutional standards prior to approval

They do not replace family research.

They verify it for institutional approval.

---

Certified Genealogist Training and Long-Term Capacity

The Freedmen Reparations Fund Trust maintains a formal Certified Genealogist training program.

This program exists because the scale of this work is significant.

It is estimated that 50 to 60 million unverified Freedmen may ultimately require documentation review and verification. At institutional standards, this process could take up to 30 years to complete responsibly.

Training Certified Genealogists ensures:

• Long-term review capacity

• Consistent documentation standards

• Institutional continuity across decades

• Protection of accuracy at scale

---

Continuous Audits After Approval

Approval does not end record review.

Once genealogy and documentation are approved, family trees and census records remain subject to continuous audit.

These audits exist to:

• Preserve long-term accuracy of verified records

• Address newly discovered records or corrections

• Resolve conflicts created by updated historical data

• Protect verified individuals from misclassification or challenge

Audits are protective, not punitive.

---

Closing Statement

Unverified Freedmen may prepare their genealogy in multiple ways — independently, with family, or with outside professional help.

The Trust verifies what is submitted.

A family tree and a Reconstruction-era census record anchor verification.

Certified Genealogists—trained institutionally—confirm accuracy at scale.

Institutions protect the status across generations.

That is how this work remains credible, defensible, and sustainable.