A few months ago, the Library received access to the African-American Biographical Database—through a subscription at the USC School of Law Library. One quiet Thursday night, I decided to search my grandfather’s last name, and to my shock, I found a short biographical sketch and a photograph of James Houston Oatis of Lucas, Mississippi!! It is the only known single photograph in existence of my grandfather, and was taken from Multum in Parvo. In the Second Edition An Authenticated History of Progressive Negroes in Pleasing and Graphic Biographical Style, a book published in 1912. Not only did I find my grandfather, I found a photo of his aunt as well as biographies and photographs of people whose descendants I played with as a child!!
The database declares it is the “largest electronic collection of biographical information on African Americans.” The materials in this database, from 1790 to 1950, are taken from an eclectic mix of sources: state and regional biographical sources, religious denominational sources, sources on women, educators, and artists—to name a few. Check out some of the titles included:
- The National Cyclopedia of the Colored Race, 1919
- God’s Image In Ebony; Being a Series of Biographical Sketches, Facts, Anecdotes, Etc., 1854
- Distinguished Negroes Abroad, 1946
- History of the American Negro, South Carolina Edition, Vol. III, 1919
- Negro Stars in All Ages of the World, 1889
- Noted Negro Women; Their Triumphs and Activities, 1893
- Short Biographical Sketches of Eminent Negro Men & Women in Europe & the United States, 1910
You may search the database two ways. The first is by Profile, and you can limit by NAME, OCCUPATION (such as abolitionist, agriculturalist, not farmer, political figure, and homemaker), RELIGION, or SOURCE. You may also limit your search to a city or state. The second way is to search the full-text of the database.
Try it out, and call or email the reference faculty if you have questions.
Posted by Rose Marshall, Reference Librarian, USC Aiken Library, rosem@usca.edu
