Happy Black History Month, family, friends, and fans!
I hope the articles I’ve posted thus far have piqued your interest and made you more aware of the rich history of Black Americans and your history, regardless of race and ethnicity.
Do you know “where” your family’s origins began? For most African Americans, it began in the South. Mine began in Barnwell County, South Carolina. Both sets of my grandparents moved to northern city to find better opportunities for themselves and their children. Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and New York were their destinations, and their legacies continue in these cities today! They were part of the Great Migration.
The Great Migration was one of the most transformative periods in American history, reshaping the cultural, economic, and social landscapes of the United States. Between 1910 and 1970, millions of Black Americans left the South in search of better opportunities, escaping systemic racism, economic hardship, and oppressive segregation laws. South Carolina, with its deeply entrenched racial hierarchy and agricultural economy, was one of the states from which many Black families migrated.
Following the Journey: Why Did They Leave?
For Black Americans in South Carolina, life in the early 20th century was marked by disenfranchisement, racial violence, and limited economic opportunities. The sharecropping system, which replaced slavery, kept many Black families in perpetual poverty, and Jim Crow laws reinforced segregation and inequality.
When World War I and World War II created labor shortages in northern and midwestern cities, Black Americans seized the opportunity to escape the South and establish new lives. Cities like New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Detroit became major destinations due to their booming industries and the promise of fairer wages and improved social conditions.
Migrating South? The Florida Factor
Although much of the Great Migration focused on movement to northern and midwestern cities, some Black Americans migrated south, mainly to Florida. The state offered construction, railroad work, and tourism job opportunities, particularly in growing cities like Miami, Jacksonville, and Tampa. Black communities in Florida found work in agriculture, fishing, and domestic service, and they built thriving neighborhoods such as Overtown in Miami, which became known as the "Harlem of the South."
Where Did Most Black Migrants Settle?
Many South Carolinians moved to Harlem in New York City, which became a cultural hub for Black Americans during the Harlem Renaissance. Others settled in Philadelphia, where manufacturing jobs were abundant, and Chicago, where the stockyards and steel mills provided employment. Detroit, known for its automotive industry, also became a significant draw.
In contrast, those who moved to Florida often gravitated to urban centers where Black-owned businesses flourished. Jacksonville, home to one of the oldest African American communities in the state, was a center of Black culture and commerce. Miami's Overtown neighborhood and Tampa's Central Avenue became thriving Black districts, housing musicians, educators, and entrepreneurs who contributed to the growth of Black economic power. I have family members in all of these cities.
Tracing My Ancestor’s Migration Story
Historical records could provide valuable insights into their journey if your ancestors left South Carolina. Census records, passenger lists, draft registrations, and employment records can help you track their movements. Oral stories from my family members have also offered invaluable details about why they left and where they went.
On my maternal grandmother’s line, I was fascinated by the relatives and friends who left Blackville, South Carolina's rural community, and ended up together on census records in New York and Philadelphia. Those finds helped me connect relatives and families on both sides of my mother’s lines who married each other.
On my paternal line, the family went to the typical big cities with their families in toe: Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New York City, and Chicago; however, one ancestor went to Jacksonville, and a few others decided to stay in Barnwell and Bamberg Counties. They left for opportunities for themselves and better educational opportunities for their children. My paternal grandfather Ernest Hicks and a few of his siblings ended up in Washington, DC.
The Great Migration was a pivotal chapter in Black history, reshaping the cultural and economic landscape of the United States as millions of African Americans sought new opportunities beyond the South. This movement was not just about geography; it was about resilience, determination, and the pursuit of a better future. My own family's migration journey reflects this larger historical narrative, as they left South Carolina for cities like Washington, DC, Philadelphia, New York, and Chicago. At the same time, some remained in Barnwell and Bamberg Counties or ventured south to Jacksonville. Their stories of struggle and triumph are woven into the broader tapestry of Black history, of my history, demonstrating the enduring strength of those who sought to create a better life for themselves and future generations. By tracing these journeys, I honor their sacrifices and ensure their legacy continues to inspire.
Where did your ancestors really come from? Explore their contributions to this country, their communities, and their family's history by telling their story. For my ancestors, no matter where they ended up, South Carolina will always be… home!
“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.” ~ Maya Angelou
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