Research Databases

This compilation of research and databases is especially useful for finding primary sources and records of enslaved people in New York State. Many of these resources are highly customizable and easy to navigate.


Enslaved.org is a robust open-source archive for users in search of specific historical slave trade records. It is organized in dataset form, which allows users to effectively filter by people, events, and places. 

(Logo, Enslaved.org)

The Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation is a digital academic journal in collaboration with Enslaved.org that provides sound compilations of datasets and articles about enslaved people and their descendants from the 1600s to the present.

(Logo, Journal of Slavery and Data Presentation)

The Missing Chapter is a unique and important project hosted by Hudson River Valley Heritage. The site highlights the African-American presence in the Mid-Hudson Valley, with a primary focus on Ulster County. It illuminates a deeper and broader understanding of slavery in New York State and includes stories of specific individuals. It contains a wealth of primary sources, including court cases, tax records, speeches, and other critical evidence that help uncover this untold history.

NESRI Northeast Slavery Records Index is a searchable database that provides individual records of enslaved persons and enslavers throughout the Northeast United States. It is helpful for finding localized reports about enslavement within specific counties or geographic areas.

(Logo, NESRI)

Slavevoyages.org is a useful tool for gaining a deeper understanding of the Atlantic slave trade—specifically, where people came from, where they were forcibly transported to, and how these voyages were funded by specific countries. When focusing on the slave trade in New York State, both the Trans-Atlantic and Intra-American databases are highly relevant and can provide valuable insight into these journeys. Additionally, its interactive map of the slave trade is a visual that clearly and shockingly summarizes journeys that lasted over centuries.

(Logo, Slavevoyages.org)