FAMILY AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

     Human beings are by their nature social
beings.  Among the most dependent species in the
animal kingdom, humans require the nurturing and
support of others for their survival well into
their teens.  Other animals are obliged to fend for
themselves and make their own way in the world
(or die) within weeks or months after their birth.
Few exist in a dependent state for more than a year.

     Families have been the basic unit of
socialization and nurturance in all human
societies.  Nuclear and extended families,
polygamous and monogamous families, male-and
female-headed single parent families,
multi-generational, multi-racial, multi-religious
and areligious families have all been formative
agents in the development of the global black
experience.

     Religious and educational institutions have
played major socialization and social development
roles among people of African descent on the
continent and in the diaspora.  Other organizations
and institutions created by the families,
communities and societies in which African peoples
live have also played major roles in socializing,
educating, protecting, nurturing and supporting
family members--from the children to the elders--as
well as the group as a whole.

     The Schomburg Center acquires records which
document all aspects of family life -- birth,
marriage, socialization, education, procreation
and death.  It also seeks to document the diverse
and complex process of family and social
development of African peoples on the continent and
in the diaspora, as well as day-to-day family
activities.

     The Center's collections include microfilm
copies of the U.S. Census Population Schedules from
1790-1900 which record the slave and free black
populations during slavery and African American
citizens afterwards.  The National Archives'
Freedmen's Bureau records which document black
family life during the Reconstruction period are
also available at the Center on microfilm.  Photo
collections capture visual records of the family
lives of people of African descent throughout the
world.

     Personal papers of individuals and families
include marriage and birth certificates, family
correspondence, family genealogical studies, and
biographical and autobiographical accounts of
family life and functioning.  Records of social
organizations such as benevolent societies,
fraternities, sororities, masonic orders and others
document their role in fostering the health and
well being of individuals, families and African
people in general.  Religious organizational
records include birth, marriage and death
registries, and the records of educational
institutions document their education/socialization
roles.  Radio and television programs and films
frequently focus on family themes.