A Call for Crowd-Source History Volunteers

Thu, 03/19/2020 - 10:15

An 18th century shoemaker's account book contained the names of several enslaved persons in colonial East Hampton.

East Hampton Library Long Island Collection

March 19, 2020

The Plain Sight Project, which is creating a database of East End slavery, is seeking sharp-eyed volunteers. Help is needed reading archival documents and scanned town records for the names and identities of the region’s enslaved people. Even a half-hour a week’s assistance would be valuable. More about the project and sign-up details are at plainsightproject.org.

The project is a joint effort among staff at The East Hampton Star, the East Hampton Library, and Sylvester Manor on Shelter Island. Its researchers have identified about 500 enslaved people, spanning about 175 years, who lived on the East End.

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