Government Legislation & Slave Insurance: How Laws Unlocked America's Hidden Slavery Insurance Archives

Ever wondered how insurance intersects with slavery in America? My latest episode of Insurance vs History dives into the world of life insurance and American slavery. I'll reveal how life insurance on enslaved people helped historians and genealogists uncover stories that few textbooks ever mention. From lost documents to innovative legislation, we'll explore the surprising ways insurance records have brought new transparency to America's past.

And check out my other episodes on insurance history, including CEO pay in the insurance industry, pollution, and other historical insurance events!

Selected Sources:

Great Places to check out the documentation itself:

• https://thebpog.org/slave-era-insurance-policies/

  • This is great as it also links to the archival info other states may have that was unrelated to government legislation related disclosure requirements

• https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/150-other-prog/10-seir/upload/PolicyDocuments.pdf

  • This is a list of the CA report policy documents

• https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/150-other-prog/10-seir/slave-names.cfm

  • Enslaved persons names and information in a chart from the CA report

• https://www.vpm.org/news/2022-06-20/researchers-work-to-honor-enslaved-coal-miners-of-chesterfield

  • Information on Chesterfield, Virginia where many of the enslaved miners listed in this documentation were forced to work

• https://insurance.maryland.gov/Pages/newscenter/SlaveryEraOrders.aspx

  • Click on the appendixes to see the responses from various insurance companies and other information.

Hire me to speak at your meeting! I can talk about the topic of your choice, or I can talk about the history of insurance and why insurance matters.  Reach out for booking info or just to connect at meredith@insurancevshistory.com

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Website: www.insurancevshistory.com

Email: meredith@insurancevshistory.com

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/meredithbrasher

Music Credits:

Boulangerie by Jeremy Sherman, courtesy of NeoSounds: Boulangerie, LynneMusic | NeoSounds music library