Select Freedmen's Bureau Records
The Bureau confronted the basic and urgent needs of freedpeople, as shown by these sample documents, all cited below by microfilm series.
Mobs and Outrages Report to Brig. Gen. John Ely on Outrages Committed by Regulators on Freedmen in Kentucky, 1867 Butcher (freeman) . . . was assaulted, threatened, and driven from his home, for giving information to the agents of the Bureau, . . . Ceasar Crowddus (Freedman) was severely whipped for refusing to give information to the mob. Kentucky, Office of the Assistant Commissioner, Inspection Reports Received Concerning Freedmen Conditions and the Operations of the Bureau in Kentucky. M1904, roll 48 
Family Hawkins Wilson to Chief of the Freedmen s Bureau, at Richmond, VA, May 11, 1867 I am anxious to learn about my sisters, from whom I have been separated many years__I have never heard from them since I left Virginia twenty four years ago__I am in hopes that they are still living and I am anxious to hear how they are getting on__ Virginia, Bowling Green, Caroline County, Letters Received M1913, roll 58 
Labor Contract Labor Contract Between Abraham Bledsoe and Henry Bledsoe (freedman), commencing January 19, 1866 I am to furnish . . . quarters, fuel, substantial and healthy rations, and the amount set opposite His name, per month. Kentucky, Office of the Assistant Commissioner, Other Records, Labor Contracts, 1866 M1904, roll 64 
Marriage Certificate Marriage Certificate of Thomas Harris and Jane Harris (Shute) Issued April 28, 1866 I have this day united Thomas Harris and Jane Harris (Shute), colored, in the bonds of matrimony, they having been living together as man and wife for about Fifteen years past, and have had, as the result, the following children, viz: Tennessee, Lebanon, Wilson County, sent to Freedmen s Bureau Headquarters, Washington, DC M1875, roll 4 
Legislative H.R. 613, An Act to Continue in Force a Bureau for the relief of Freedmen and Refugees, June 11, 1866 Records of the U.S. Senate, RG 46 
Medical Record Women and children vaccinated and capable Beaufort (Contraband Department), South Carolina M1910, roll 62 
Education Teacher s Monthly Report, Little Rock, Arkansas, March 24, 1865 Number enrolled: 65 males, 96 females, 161 total . . . Number who pay full tuition fees, 17 males, 36 females, 53 total. - Arkansas, Little Rock Superintendent of Freedmen, Narrative School Reports from Teachers M1901, roll 16 
Census Colored Census, Huntsville and Athens, Alabama, ca. 1865 Census of black residents at Huntsville and Athens, Alabama, ca. 1865, listing name, age, sex, street, former owner, occupation, and county. Alabama, Huntsville and Athens (Claims Agent), Census of Black Citizens M1900, roll 19 
Land Land Order for Richard Brown, April 1, 1865 . . . permission is hereby granted to Richard Brown to take possession of and occupy forty acres of land, situated in St. Andrews Parish, Island of James. South Carolina, Berkley District, Labor Contracts M1910, roll 62 
Relief (Rations) Rations Issued at Fort Smith, Arkansas, in June and July 1867 Names of person, no. of adults and children, Dates of issue, no. of days, no. of lbs. of bacon and corn, and Remarks [race]. Arkansas, Fort Smith (Sebastian County), Register of Persons Drawing Rations M1901, roll 8 
Bureau Administration Freedmen s Right to Vote, May 1, 1867 . . . measures will be taken as will inform all Freedmen entitled to be registered, of the necessity for, and the time and place of registration, and the time and place of voting. Virginia, Jerusalem (Southampton County), Letters and Orders Received M1913, roll 97 
Education Plan for a Virginia Classroom, undated - Virginia, Warrenton (Assistant Subassistant Commissioner), School Reports M1913, roll 178 