Description

Finding Francis finding family freeing history

Francis is found Beyond Francis a family is foundin archival material that barely deigned to notice their existence This is the story of Francis Sistrunk and her children from enslavement into forced migration across South Carolina Georgia Alabama and Mississippi It spans decades before the Civil War and continues into postemancipation America A family story full of twists and turns Finding Francis reclaims and honors those women who played an essential role in the historical survival and triumph of Black people during and after American slavery

Elizabeth West has created a remarkable biohistoriography of everyday Black resistance grounded in a determination to maintain enduring connections of family kinship and community despite the inhumanity and rapacity of slavery There is inevitable heartbreak in these histories but there is also an empowering strength and inspirationthe truth of these lives will indeed set us all free