Hi Diane,

Until you have gotten as many records as you can from the period before slavery, it will be difficult for you to proceed. You need to check the county websites at GenWeb - to see what is available.

Houston cty GA:

http://www.rootsweb.com/~gahousto/

Dooly cty GA:

http://www.rootsweb.com/~gadooly/

There is no way to identify slaves without you having access to records - which would be held by the county - or published in some books. You will need wills and eestate accounts to move forward.

Suggest you put slave period research on hold till you have completely research emancipation period.

Denise