One of the most significant challenges for many Afro-descendant genealogists is researching their ancestors during the captivity period ["enslavement"]. Except for "Free People of Color" or individuals recorded on mortality schedules, pre-1870 census records did not list formerly captive ["enslaved"] persons by name. If they happened to be written in plantation [forced labor camp] records, they were mainly listed by their first name but sometimes by a "nickname." Therefore, establishing identity can be challenging when attempting to reconstruct Afro-descended families in the Antebellum South. However, The Five Rand Brothers Project boldly steps up to the challenge. 

Our initial focus involved identifying and recruiting direct-line male descendants of Archie, Calhoun, Clem, Joshua, and Merritt. However, we realized that the nature of America's "peculiar institution" compelled us to diversify the project's scope. Specifically, relying on surnames to trace ancestry and focusing on Dallas County, Alabama, impose limitations. After the captivity period ["emancipation"], close kin did not necessarily select the same last names; there was no uniformity in surname adoption. It was also a known fact that countless individuals were sold away and separated from their families. This means direct-line paternal relationships could be found anywhere in the United States. Equally, other relatives of the Five Rand Brothers could have resided on any of the Rand plantations besides those in Alabama. We also know some captives may have been inherited from an enslaver's [captor's] wife's family.  For instance, we have identified several autosomal DNA matches with descendants of former captives who assumed the surname Mial, the maiden name of Nathaniel Greene Rand's wife, Pharabee Parker Mial.  Therefore, we decided to open the search to include all relevant plantations [forced labor camps] and employ Next Generation DNA Sequencing to help mitigate this situation.  

We seek descendants of former captives ["enslaved"] from the following plantations but not limited to, to join our project: 

ALABAMA (1826-1865):

Clarke County "Salt Works" (Walter Raleigh Rand)

Dallas County (Fabius F. Rand; Walter Raleigh Rand)

Franklin County (John W. Rand; P.N.G. Rand)

Greene County (Walter Raleigh Rand)

Lawrence County (John W. Rand)

Perry County (John W. Rand; Nathaniel Greene Rand; Walter Raleigh Rand)

Wilcox County (Fabius F. Rand; Lucius A. Rand; Nathaniel Greene Rand; Walter Raleigh Rand)

NORTH CAROLINA (1763-1865):

Wake County (Thomas Mial; Harrison Rand; Lucius Rand; Nathaniel Greene Rand; Oscar Rand; William Rand)

Johnston County (John Rand)

TEXAS (1860-1865): 

Cass County (William Harrison Rand) (reportedly sired children with a captive [enslaved] woman)

VIRGINIA (1733-1757):

The Isle of Wight County (William Rand - Lineage Founder/Patriarch; Elias Parker)

Last updated May 4, 2024