The Underground Railroad and the Picayune Connection

On 27 January 1837, The Picayune, a 6-page daily newspaper, was established in New Orleans, Louisiana. Its name was changed to The Daily Picayune on 2 November 1837, and today is called The Times-Picayune. This book covers from 27 January 1837 to 26 December 1847. Slave owners and others placed notices in the classified ads of the newspaper offering rewards for apprehension of slaves. For those seeking slave ancestors, the ads are valuable resources. Names of slaves, usually first names only, but quite often full names as well; brief but vivid descriptions of slaves; dates they ran away; their trades or occupations; names of owners or persons holding them in custody; and other details are included in the ads. The author has provided three indices. The first index contains the names of the slaveholders and others. The second contains the full names of slaves, while the third index lists only the first names of slaves.