Houston County Texas Genweb

June 19, 1865 “all slaves are free” ~ Juneteenth ~ The oldest known ...

Texas has three holidays celebrating independence and liberation of people from oppression. The oldest is July 4, the second is March 2, Texas Independence Day, and Juneteenth, a day devoted to the celebration of the end of slavery.

In 1865 Union Major-General Gordon Granger read Order Number 3 of the General Orders to the people in Galveston from the military headquarters. The order was printed and circulated, published in newspapers and the news spread throughout Texas.

250,000 slaves, mainly in East Texas including Liberty and Polk Counties, heard the news and learned: "in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and . . . that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages."

Freedmen celebrated, many packed their bags and started walking on the roads to the east, some families left for greener pastures in the north and far west, and others did remain, working for wages.

For days the roads were filled with people traveling to Louisiana and other Eastern States trying to find their wives, children, family members, loved ones and kinfolk. As the Civil War was being lost, slave-owners had moved their property to Texas in an attempt to keep their investment in human beings. Texas was not home for the relocated slaves, and one of the largest migrations in the United States began on Juneteenth in 1865 when they learned of their freedom.

Juneteenth became a major holiday for blacks in 1866 and it has endured for 140 years. Due to racism, most whites except for political candidates tended to ignore these celebrations and some cities actually banned the use of public parks for the Juneteenth Celebration.

Prayer services, speakers, readings of the emancipation proclamation, slave narratives, fishing and fish frys, games, rodeos, dances, and lots of food including Big Red, red or strawberry soda water became the traditional program. Dress became a symbol of freedom at the early events for as slaves they could not wear any fine clothes. Participants wore fancy dresses and hats, suits and fine shoes.

Juneteenth was inspirational for the freed slaves, inspirational for the children and a history lesson, a way for the community to remember especially as time marched on.

It was a day off from work too, a defacto holiday whether the employers liked it or not.

July Programs at the Clayton Genealogy Library in Houston

Interested in your family history, but not quite sure where to start?  Found some information, but need to know what else is available?  Join the Bootcamp for an exercise in genealogy research resources!  This session focuses on starting genealogical research by examining basic tools, such as the pedigree chart, and basic research strategies.  Learn about the different genealogical materials available to researchers and how they lead to other sources. Reservations required.  Please call  832-393-2600 .  Adults/Teens. Researching family history can be as close as the home computer, but finding the best websites and resources can be frustrating.  Lynna Kay Shuffield will present two classes focusing on good Internet resources where you can locate primary source documentation or lineage information related to American Revolution military research and Civil War research.  You must register for each session you wish to attend.  This lecture is co-sponsored by Oran M. Roberts Chapter 440, United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Clayton Library/Houston Public Library.  Come join us for a fabulous day of scrapbooking your family history!  It’s a potluck crop, so bring snacks, desserts, and sodas to share.  Cups, plates, napkins, etc. will be provided and a refrigerator and microwave are available.  Free wireless and electrical outlets.  Please bring your cutting pad.  A six foot table is available for each person. Reservations required:  e-mail  lksfriday@sbcglobal.net  or call 713-692-4511 .  Co-sponsored by Oran M. Roberts Chapter 440, United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Clayton Library/Houston Public Library.  Adults/Teens.

Houston County (Texas) cemeteries

The DOWNES or DOWNS FAMILY GENEALOGY

Houston County (Texas) cemeteries

An Updated genealogy, the descendants of #194, Aaron and Elizabeth (Stuart) Harlan ; one line of descendants of George Harlan, who settled in Chester County, Pennsylvania, in 1687

Unpuzzling your past, the best-selling basic guide to genealogy