Black Lives Transcription Project
The Gilder Lehrman Digital Volunteers program gives middle school and high school students the opportunity to transcribe documents in the Gilder Lehrman Collection. Through this volunteer effort, students learn the research and transcription skills required of professional historians, and become a vital part of the Institute’s work. Digital volunteers are instrumental in making these primary sources accessible to a wider audience, furthering American history education and research.
The Black Lives in the Founding Era documents are taken from more than 200 books, magazines, and newspapers. These texts—which are largely about enslaved people and the institution of slavery—provide insight into the experiences of some Black Americans during the Founding Era. This selection of documents will be regularly updated as more material is retrieved from the Gilder Lehrman Collection. Parental consent to participate is required if you are under 18, as you may encounter historical language or content that is not considered appropriate today.