Mesda Craftsman Database
14 hours ago
- #craftsmen
- #southern history
- #historical records
- The MESDA Craftsman Database contains information about southern artisans working in 127 trades before 1861.
- Data is gathered from public and private records, including newspapers, city directories, court records, and wills.
- Records vary from simple listings to detailed descriptions of work, land transactions, and product sales.
- The database is a significant resource for documenting women and African Americans, both enslaved and free.
- Records are linked to specific geographic locations and dates, aiding in understanding craftsmen migration.
- While focused on the early South, some records include craftsmen in New England and Mid-Atlantic states.
- MESDA continues to add to the database, with roughly half of available records read so far.
- Completion of the survey is estimated to take another forty years, with new documents discovered daily.