African Origins facts for kids

The African Origins project is a special online database. Researchers at Emory University in Georgia, United States, created and run this project. Its main goal is to collect and share all known facts about the African diaspora. This means it documents information about people of African descent who live outside of Africa. It also includes many historical records about the transatlantic slave trade.

What is the African Origins Project?

The African Origins project is like a huge digital library. It stores important historical information. This information helps us understand the journeys and experiences of millions of people. These people were forcibly moved from Africa across the Atlantic Ocean.

Why is this Project Important?

This project helps us learn about a very difficult time in history. It provides facts and records about the transatlantic slave trade. This was a period when many African people were taken from their homes. They were forced to travel across the Atlantic to different parts of the world. The project helps researchers and students understand this history better. It also helps people trace their family roots.

How Does it Work?

The project collects information from many old documents. These documents include ship logs, plantation records, and other historical papers. Researchers carefully study these records. They then add the details to the database. This makes it easier for anyone to access and learn from this history.

Sister Project: Voyages Database

The African Origins project works closely with another important database. This is called Voyages: The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database. Think of them as sister projects. The Voyages database focuses on the ships and journeys themselves. It tracks details about the voyages that carried enslaved people. The African Origins project then adds more personal details. It focuses on the individuals and families involved. Together, these projects give a fuller picture of this historical event.