Tracing Your African American Roots

Today I am going to share some new information that I have unearthed during the search for my husbands Roots. When I hear the term "Roots" I am often reminded of the film by Alex Haley entitled "Roots" which I remember watching as a child. It was one film that caught my eye and stands out to this day. I really think that it planted a desire in my heart to learn more about my own ancestry.

When my husband received his matches this past week we noticed he had quite a few African American cousins. Given that fact we decided to set out and see what we could find that might account for his new found family members.



One of our first findings was a man named Richard "Dick" Fancher. According to information contained in his Find a Grave profile, we found out the following:

"Richard "Dick" Fancher was a slave of James Fancher of Osage, Carroll County, Arkansas, and then of his son, Thomas Washington Fancher;after his marriage in 1856. Dick worked in the home of Thomas Fancher and Elizabeth Sneed Fancher, as a Cook until he was released by the Civil War. Upon his emancipation, he married Hannah "Sneed" Riggs, who had belonged to Charles Sneed, but was willed to his daughter Elizabeth in 1855."

(c) Find a Grave Contributor Jenette

You can read the rest of the above Biography on Dick FANCHER at the Find a Grave Memorial, which I have linked above.

The information goes on to state that the family was driven out of the Harrison Arkansas area where they had made their home, in the early 1900`s. They relocated to Eureka Springs and took up jobs working as Porters and Laundresses and other positions at the Basin Park Hotel. According to Historical information the Basin Hotel held its Grand Opening on 1 July, 1905.

It was Dick`s half-brother James Polk FANCHER that purchased his tombstone for him and had it erected upon his death.

What Records Tell Us

The first record that I have located for Dick is the 1880 Census for Osage, Carroll, Arkansas. He is listed as   Mullato.

Richard Fancher	39
Hanah M. Fancher	30
Isaac C. Fancher	4
Thomas Fancher	2
Fanny Riggs	60

We notice that Hannah`s mother Fanny RIGGS is residing in the household with them.  In checking the list of neighbors we turn up some common surnames within the FANCHER family. They are: USREY, MORRIS, SISCO, MILLER, PHILLIPS,SMITH,TRENTHAM, WALKER, POYNER,WEST, SNEED, FULTS (FULTZ).

Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Osage, Carroll, Arkansas; Roll: 40; Family History Film: 1254040; Page: 244C; Enumeration District: 028; Image: 0009.

By 1900 we find them living in Harrison Township, Boone County, Arkansas.  This time they are listed as Black as opposed to Mulatto.

"United States Census, 1900," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M3XV-61Z : accessed 29 Jun 2013), Richard Fancher, 1900.

During this Census year Richards Occupation is listed as a Day Laborer, his Son Issac is also listed as a Day Laborer, son Thomas is listed as Laborer in a Saloon and daughter Mattie is listed as a House Keeper.

After that census record I have been unable to locate Richard and Hannah on the 1910 Census. I did find some records on their children, as follows:

Isaac Carlock FANCHER

The oldest child of Richard and Hannah FANCHER. 

Notice that this document is signed by Isaac`s Uncle: James Polk FANCHER as a witness to Issacs age. 

Note: So as to save space I have decided to break this post up into several parts. I will continue with the information found on Isaac Carlock FANCHER in the next post.