The American War of Independence was not only a fight for freedom from a tyrannical world superpower. For the thousands of Black soldiers who fought for the patriot cause, and even more—tens of thousands—for the Loyalists, emancipation was on the line. In this lecture, 10 Million Names Volunteer Manager Danielle Rose will provide a brief history of Black soldiers during the Revolutionary War and their motivations for joining either side; and discuss several resources, records, and strategies for piecing together the service and stories of individuals.
Registration in this program includes access to a 60-minute live broadcast, recording, and other materials for the foreseeable future.
Lecture Recording
Live Broadcast: February 7, 2026
Presented By: Danielle Rose
Running Time: 1:00:49
Lecture Materials
About the Speaker
Danielle Rose oversees the many dedicated volunteers who assist with creating database content for the 10 Million Names Project. She also collaborates with partner organizations and independent researchers who share content with the project. Danielle frequently participates in American Ancestors educational programs by providing lectures on African American genealogy.
Prior to joining American Ancestors, Danielle worked with the National Parks of Boston where she researched the service and lives of Black Patriots in the Revolutionary War. She also worked as a museum educator in Miami, Florida before relocating to Boston. Danielle holds a B.A. in History from the University of Florida and M.A. in Public History from Northeastern University.
Areas of expertise: Revolutionary War veterans, African American genealogy, New England
Other Resources
10 Million Names
American Ancestors magazine article: Finding Revolutionary War Patriots in Your Family Tree
American Ancestors magazine article: Strategies for Tracing Revolutionary War Veterans
Archived webinar: Friend or Foe: Researching Colonial Ancestors During the American Revolution
Archived webinar: Applying to Revolutionary War Lineage Societies