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Freedmens Bureau Transcribed Historical Records
Data Science and Analytics
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About
This collection offers transcribed historical documents from the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, established by the U.S. Congress in 1865 following the Civil War. The records illuminate the transformative Reconstruction era, detailing the Bureau's efforts to provide essential aid, including food, housing, education, and medical care, to formerly enslaved people in the South. Furthermore, the documents reflect assistance provided for legalising marriages, securing employment, and establishing schools. The data provides valuable insight into the social, economic, and political conditions of this pivotal period in American history. Document categories span contracts, court records, financial reports, and correspondence.
Columns
- project_id: An identifier associated with the specific project under which the document was categorised.
- category: The general classification defining the document's type (e.g., Contracts, Court Records, Rations Records, Education Records).
- sub_category: A detailed classification of the document type (e.g., Labor Contracts, Apprenticeship Agreement, Arrest Reports, Expense Reports).
- transcription_text: The complete, actual transcribed content of the historical record.
- document_url: A direct link to the original digital image or representation of the document.
Distribution
The data is typically structured in CSV format, with separate files for different record types, such as Contracts, Education Records, and Property Records. The column structure remains consistent across these categories. For example, the contract records contain approximately 22,900 valid records. The expected update frequency for the entire collection is annually. Specific counts for all document categories are available in the supplementary material.
Usage
This resource is ideal for historical research, linguistic analysis, and the creation of educational materials. It specifically supports innovative analysis using Natural Language Processing (NLP) to uncover trends, patterns, and previously hidden stories within the Reconstruction era texts. Users can conduct statistical analysis, explore socio-economic conditions, build research projects, or examine the evolution of legal and social systems post-slavery.
Coverage
The data covers the activities and records of the Freedmen's Bureau, which operated primarily in the Southern United States during the Reconstruction era, commencing in 1865. The records centre on the population of formerly enslaved individuals (Freedmen) and refugees following the Civil War, reflecting the Bureau's efforts related to welfare, education, employment, and legal rights.
License
CC0: Public Domain
Who Can Use It
- Data Scientists/NLP Researchers: For applying text analysis techniques to large volumes of historical data to reveal social and economic patterns.
- Historians and Academics: For detailed study of the Post-Civil War period, the functions of the Bureau, and the lives of newly freed individuals.
- Students/Educators: For developing coursework, educational materials, and introductory research projects focused on American history.
- Language Enthusiasts: For exploring historical language use, documentation styles, and archival processes.
Dataset Name Suggestions
- Freedmen's Bureau Transcribed Historical Records
- Reconstruction Era Documents: Freedmen's Bureau Records
- Post-Civil War Bureau Records (1865-onwards)
- Transcriptions of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands Bureau
Attributes
Original Data Source: Freedmens Bureau Transcribed Historical Records
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