Lineage Starting Profile

Start With What You Know

This brief profile should take about five minutes. You do not need a complete family tree or every record before you begin. Share what you know today, skip any question you are unsure about, and return as your research grows.

Helpful to have nearby: the name of a parent, grandparent, or older relative; a place connected to your family; and any record, photograph, or family story you already have.

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Your Lineage Starting Profile Has Been Received

Thank you for sharing what you know today. Your submission is a starting point, not an official lineage-verification decision. MFL will use your responses to understand research needs, improve its methodology, and identify the kinds of records and assistance families need. If you requested email or text updates, you may receive future MFL news and account announcements through the method you selected.
Choose the option that best describes your main reason for starting today.
Share any name, nickname, approximate date, location, or family relationship you know. It is okay to be uncertain or leave details incomplete.
(Optional) This helps MFL understand where participants live and where future research assistance or pilot programs may be needed.
List any states, territories, tribal nations, counties, cities, or countries you know. Approximate locations are welcome.
What records or family evidence do you currently have?
Enter a mobile number only if you may want to receive MFL news or project updates by text. Providing a number does not automatically enroll you in text messages.

Please do not enter Social Security numbers, account numbers, passwords, complete birth dates, or other highly sensitive information. Document uploads will be added later through a more secure account-based process.

My Freedmen Lineage is not currently a government agency. Identifiable information will not be transferred to a government agency for a future verification process without additional notice, an identified purpose, and any consent required at that time.