The conception of this project (2015) stems from two cousin genealogists, initially working separately, then making a conscious decision to join forces to research our common direct-line paternal ancestor Clement "Clem" Rand of North Carolina. During our investigation, we found the estate inventory of Walter Raleigh Rand, son of Nathaniel Greene Rand, both of Wake County, North Carolina, and the documented captors ["enslavers"] of our ancestor, Clem. This inventory also lists Archie, Calhoun, Joshua, and Merrett. As with Clem, they adopted the surname RAND and resided near each other in Dallas County, Alabama, as recorded in 1870, 1880, 1900, and 1910 United States Federal censuses. In addition, oral family narratives corroborate with census records indicating the birthplace of all five men in North Carolina. Further, their age gradations and repeated naming patterns of male descendants - Archie, Calhoun, and Joshua - suggest close familial ties. We proposed, therefore, that some or all five men most likely shared a common paternal ancestor, hence, The Five Rand Brothers Project. Last updated March 3, 2024