While learning about my grandfather’s family tree, we found documentation confirming that two generations in my line were enslaved Natives. Mother and son. The son later married another Native woman. I feel a responsibility to understand and carry their stories.
Can you share what state(s) this took place in? Curious about the history
I’ll try to figure it out - this was before Texas was a state, but they were in that borderland region. My next step is to look at the entities listed as “owners”
Very interesting. When I hear family stories like this I'm always curious what region the stories are from. A lot of interesting history in America When NM became a state, they tried to kick my family over to the mexican side, but great grandma wasn't having it, and stayed
Just hang onto your hat because it could be anybody from the Catholic Church to another native to a random white person or company. History is as wild as all of humanity.
Seems to be a guy of Spanish descent - but I need to delve further into his identity
Given that they were enslaved, you may be lucky to have found this information, because I’m sure a lot of it has been destroyed over the years. Glad you’re learning something about them, even if it isn’t the most heartening news.
Yes! It was a surprise that they documented so much-I want to search for more, even if it’s just historical context.
So much weight to carry. Heartbreaking.
I happened across this post and recognized you as a fellow Love After The End writer (I’m Kai 🙋🏻♂️) I am also the descendant of an enslaved Indigenous woman but in the Great Lakes region. It’s definitely a heavy thing to find out and it’s a bigger part of our history than even many Native ppl know.
My family were the first French to settle in Mobile, Alabama. I found records that the French enslaved the natives of that area. I am a descendant of enslaved Africans brought over because the Natives kept escaping. Native Americans were enslaved.