The Georgia Enslaved People Database provides structured access to historical records that were once scattered, vague, or inaccessible. Developed by Georgia State University, this searchable online tool compiles documented transactions involving enslaved individuals in 19th-century Georgia. This article explores the Georgia Enslaved People Database in terms of its content, structure, and practical use for historical and genealogical research.
What Is the Georgia Enslaved People Database?
The Data Mining and Mapping Antebellum Georgia (DMMAG) project is the official name of the database that continues the initiative undertaken by Georgia State University (GSU) to centralize digital collections of property and legal documents related to slavery in antebellum Georgia, especially in Harris County.
The DMMAG extracts data from historical deeds, probate records and other legal documents. Users can navigate the dataset through a web interface with visual dashboards and a keyword-searchable layout. The database is publicly available and does not require registration, and data can be exported as a CSV file.
Key Data Fields Available:
- Action type (e.g., sale, transfer)
- State and county
- Transaction date
- Seller first and last name, seller’s county and state
- Legal ward or guardian (if applicable)
Clicking the blue icon in the “Actions” column reveals additional transaction-level details:
- Legal ward’s first name
- Buyer’s full name and location
- District and lot number
- Transaction amount and acreage
- Notes and links to the original deed
These elements provide information on the structure and participants of property transactions involving enslaved individuals.
Purpose and Relevance of the Georgia Enslaved People Database
Enhancing Access to Historical Records
The DMMAG platform makes archival data accessible to researchers, educators, genealogists, and the general public. By organizing the data in a structured format, the project facilitates broader analysis of the individuals and systems involved in slavery in Georgia.
A Resource for Genealogical and Academic Research
Users researching familial ties or historical patterns in antebellum Georgia can benefit from the searchable structure. Search parameters include names, dates, transaction types, and geographic locations, making it a practical tool for identifying historical actors and property transfers.
Contextual Analysis Through Visual Dashboards
The database includes visual tools for analyzing macro-level trends, including:
- Total number of recorded transactions
- Aggregate monetary value and acreage
- Top buyers by transaction value
- Distribution of transaction values
These dashboards offer quantitative insight into economic and demographic trends in the dataset.
How to Use the Georgia Enslaved People Database
Step-by-Step Access:
- Visit the Georgia Enslaved People Database on GSU’s official DMMAG platform to begin your search.
- Enter search terms such as a name, county, or date
- Use filters to refine search results
- Click the blue “Actions” icon for expanded transaction details
- Export data as CSV if desired
Usage Tip:
Combining search terms (e.g., “Harris County 1845 sale”) can help narrow results and identify relevant records more efficiently.
Example Use Case: Researching the Georgia Enslaved People Database
A researcher examining economic conditions in Georgia during the 1840s might identify a record of a land and human property transfer between individuals in Harris County. The record could contain transactional details including acreage, buyer and seller names, transaction value, and links to original documents. This allows for source-based historical analysis grounded in primary data.
Assessment of the DMMAG Platform
Strengths:
- Open access with no paywall or registration
- Detailed and multi-parameter search functionality
- Exportable data for external analysis
- Integrated dashboards for macro-level trend visualization
Limitations:
- Current geographic focus is limited, primarily covering Harris County
- Some historical entries are incomplete or lack full contextual information
While the dataset is still growing, its initial scope offers a reference point for future regional or national historical data initiatives.
Broader Research Context
The DMMAG database contributes to a broader trend in digital humanities initiatives that aim to improve access to historical records. Comparable efforts, such as Brown University’s Stolen Relations Project, also focus on compiling structured historical data. These processes facilitate systematic research in paradigms like history, demography, and social studies.
Conclusion: Insights from the Georgia Enslaved People Database
The Georgia enslaved people database is a freely available resource documenting transactions regarding enslaved people in 19th-century Georgia. Through searchable records and visual dashboards, it provides users with a structured dataset for examining historical records related to property and labor. The database is accessible to a range of users and supports various forms of historical investigation.
For researchers interested in broader comparative studies of enslavement beyond Georgia, the Stolen Relations Database Guide offers a detailed overview of another important public resource. While the Georgia Enslaved People Database focuses on the documentation of African American individuals primarily in Harris County, Georgia, the Stolen Relations project centers on the enslavement of Indigenous peoples across North America. Together, these databases contribute to a growing network of digital tools that support critical, evidence-based historical analysis.
