After the passage of the 13th Amendment in the United States outlawing slavery, many African American individuals were “convicted” of trumped-up charges and forced into convict leasing camps. Individuals suffering in these scenarios were viewed as entirely replaceable. As demonstrated by the individuals excavated in the Sugar Land 95 project, the first convict leasing labor cemetery to be excavated in the United States, they were shot, beaten, starved, and forced to complete heavy labor, even in the grueling Texas summer heat and cold and wet winters. The excavation of these individuals demonstrates just one of the many labor camps individuals were imprisoned at, and when deaths inevitably occurred, the individuals were stripped of any identification and interred in makeshift graves. This cruel practice post-slavery occurred around the country and is often overlooked in United States history, but efforts are being made to identify the Sugar Land 95 individuals.
In order to restore the names of the individuals who died between 1875 and 1911, excavation and extensive osteological analyses on the remains was undertaken, coupled with ongoing historical research. Genetic genealogical work is currently overseen by Principal Research Group, a 501c3 non-profit. After approval and discussion with the known descendants and families, and a permit from the Texas Historical Commission, identification of several Sugar Land 95 individuals is underway. The collection of genetic data for identification is taking place in the Snow Molecular Anthropology Laboratory in Missoula, Montana. Results obtained thus far have already allowed families to connect and to better understand what happened at the labor camp, and about the strength their ancestors had to endure the horrific conditions. Attendees will better understand this troubling historical era and the ongoing work to identify the individuals. From working with challenging DNA samples, to community engagement, the ongoing challenges and solutions of a genetic genealogy project will be discussed. As these sorts of cemeteries for victims of state-led violence are found around the world due to political regimes fraught with abuses and physical violence, the Sugar Land 95 project seeks to lead the way in using genetic genealogy to establish a community-based method of giving the individuals their names and identities back, as well as understanding and connection to their families today.
After the passage of the 13th Amendment in the United States outlawing slavery, many African American individuals were “convicted” of trumped-up charges and forced into convict leasing camps. Individuals suffering in these scenarios were viewed as entirely replaceable. As demonstrated by the individuals excavated in the Sugar Land 95 project, the first convict leasing labor cemetery to be excavated in the United States, they were shot, beaten, starved, and forced to complete heavy labor, even in the grueling Texas summer heat and cold and wet winters. The excavation of these individuals demonstrates just one of the many labor camps individuals were imprisoned at, and when deaths inevitably occurred, the individuals were stripped of any identification and interred in makeshift graves. This cruel practice post-slavery occurred around the country and is often overlooked in United States history, but efforts are being made to identify the Sugar Land 95 individuals.
In order to restore the names of the individuals who died between 1875 and 1911, excavation and extensive osteological analyses on the remains was undertaken, coupled with ongoing historical research. Genetic genealogical work is currently overseen by Principal Research Group, a 501c3 non-profit. After approval and discussion with the known descendants and families, and a permit from the Texas Historical Commission, identification of several Sugar Land 95 individuals is underway. The collection of genetic data for identification is taking place in the Snow Molecular Anthropology Laboratory in Missoula, Montana. Results obtained thus far have already allowed families to connect and to better understand what happened at the labor camp, and about the strength their ancestors had to endure the horrific conditions. Attendees will better understand this troubling historical era and the ongoing work to identify the individuals. From working with challenging DNA samples, to community engagement, the ongoing challenges and solutions of a genetic genealogy project will be discussed. As these sorts of cemeteries for victims of state-led violence are found around the world due to political regimes fraught with abuses and physical violence, the Sugar Land 95 project seeks to lead the way in using genetic genealogy to establish a community-based method of giving the individuals their names and identities back, as well as understanding and connection to their families today.
Workshop currently at capacity. A waitlist is available to join on our registration page.
Associate Professor, University of Montana
Meradeth Snow is a professor of anthropology specializing in degraded and problematic DNA from forensic and archaeological contexts. She also runs the Forensic Anthropology program at the University of Montana, working with several States in the region for recovery and casework.
"*" indicates required fields
Copyright © 2024 ISHI. All Rights Reserved.
