The Smithsonian Museum and the National Museum of African American History and Culture are tracking down important data about newly freed individuals who lived in the South after the Civil War.

The website reports that 90,000 pages of Freedmen’s Bureau images (including letters, marriage and birth records, and more) have already been transcribed by more than 9,000 volunteers, making it the largest crowdsourcing initiative ever sponsored by the Smithsonian.

With the help of people working from home — where most of us remain during these days of sheltering in place — they’ve unlocked a wealth of names and stories.  If there are gaps in your own family tree, this is a great way to get involved!

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