Libraries

Indiana Emigrants to Liberia and Indiana Colonization Efforts

The following will help identify sources to further research Indiana's Colonization efforts during the 19th century. Call numbers refer to print volumes held at the IUB Wells Library. They can be found in the Government Information, Maps and Microform Services.

Online Resources

American Colonization Society - A Register of Its Records In The Library of Congress

The records of the American Colonization Society were presented to the Library of Congress and augmented in subsequent years with additional information. They span the years 1792-1964, with the bulk of material concentrated in the period 1823-1912.

 

Indiana Documentary Journal

The Indiana Documentary Journal is a record of reports and meetings from governmental agencies and commissions in Indiana during the 1800's. The volumes referred to below contain references to Colonization Efforts in Indiana and are available in PDF format. The print volumes are housed in secure storage (Call Number: J87 .I6Q).

• "Answer of the Agent of the Indiana Colonization Society to the Resolution of Inquiry on the Subject of African Colonization, Passed by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the State of Indiana, on the 3d of February, 1852."
  J. P. Chapman, State Printer, Indianapolis: 1852.
• "Report of the Agent of the Indiana Colonization Society Showing the Operations of Said Agency During the Year 1853 In Answer to a Resolution of the Senate."
  J. P. Chapman, State Printer, Indianapolis: 1853.
• "Report of Reverend John McKay, Colored Agent of the State Board of Colonization on Liberia."
  Austin H. Brown, State Printer, Indianapolis: 1854.
• "Report of the Agent of the Colonization Society of the State of Indiana In Reply to a Resolution of the Senate."
  Austin H. Brown, State Printer, Indianapolis: 1855
• "Report of the Secretary of the State Board of Colonization of the State of Indiana to the Indiana General Assembly."
  Joseph J. Bingham, State Printer, Indianapolis: 1859.

The Indiana Historian

The Indiana Historical Bureau at the Indiana State Library publishes The Indiana Historian--a magazine exploring Indiana history issue topics. The March 2000 issue was dedicated to Indiana Emigrants to Liberia and contains helpful information including background, timelines, names and a bibliography.

 

Online Data Archive of the Roll of Emigrants to Liberia

The Data and Program Library Service from the University of Wisconsin-Madison contains an Online Data Archive of the Roll of Emigrants to Liberia, 1820-1843 and Liberian Census Data, 1843. Supplementary information includes an Alphabetical Listing of Emigrants to Liberia. 1820-1843.

• Shick, Tom W. "Roll of the Emigrants to the Colony of Liberia Sent by the American Colonization Society from 1820-1843." Madison, WI: Tom W. Shick, 1973. Data and Program Library Service, 1973 and 1996.
• Shick, Tom W. "Emigrants to Liberia, 1820-1843: An Alphabetical Listing 1971." Liberian Studies Research Working Paper #2.

Print Resources

Black History A Guide to Civilian Records in the National Archives.

Newman, Debra. National Archives Trust Fund Board, 1984.
SuDocs Number: GS 4.6/2: B 56/1x 1984
A subject guide to federal records in the National Archives. Contains references to the American Colonization Society, formed for the purpose of colonizing free people of color on the West African Coast.

Indiana State Board of Colonization. Report on Colonization for 1860 to the Legislature.

JC Walker: Indianapolis, 1861.
Call Number: E448 .I6 1860
Message from the President of the United States, communicating (in compliance with a resolution of the Senate) information relative to the operations of the United States squadron on the west coast of Africa, the condition of the American colonies there, and the commerce of the United States therewith.
SERIAL-SET-ID: 458 S.doc.150
DESCRIPTIVE-TITLE: Presidential message communicating information on operations of squadron on coast of Africa
DOCUMENT-DATE: February 26, 1845
AUTHOR: John Tyler (1790-1862), President of the United States, 1841-1845
SERIAL-VOLUME: 458 CONGRESS-SESSION: 28-2 (1844-1845) SESSIONAL-VOLUME: 9
PAGES: 419 pp.
 

This Senate document contains actual ship names and ship passenger names by state. Available through ProQuest Congressional (a subscription service) or in the print Serial Set.

See other Indiana Guides.

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