FamilySearch has created an interesting new browsable image collection of Freedmen’s records. These records date from 1872 to 1878. A bit of background: the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands (often called the Freedmen’s Bureau) was created near the end of the American Civil War. It supervised relief efforts. This included a host of things, such as health care, education, refugee camps, food and clothing, etc. It also helped with the legalization of marriages, employment, labor contracts and pensions. This collection is very diverse and includes account books, applications for rations and relief, labor contracts, bounty claims, roster lists, court trials, property restorations and so on. The images are organized by state office and type of record. Access is free. [Freedmen’s Bureau Records]