The Color Between The Lines with Esther Dillard

In this powerful episode of The Color Between the Lines, host Esther Dillard speaks with Nika Sewell-Smith, Senior Story Producer and Genealogist at Ancestry.com, about a revolutionary new research tool: the Articles of Enslavement Collection.

This collection uses AI to surface hundreds of thousands of historical newspaper clippings that mention enslaved individuals—freedom seekers, auction listings, and more—helping Black families trace their roots through a dark but vital chapter in American history.

Nika breaks down:

• What the Articles of Enslavement project is
• How artificial intelligence was used to identify and index these historical records
• Why this resource could be a game changer for Black genealogical research
• The emotional impact of finding specific names, heights, weights, and hometowns of enslaved ancestors

Whether you're new to genealogy or continuing the work of a loved one, this episode will move you and provide a valuable roadmap for discovering family history once thought lost.

👉 Listen in to discover how our ancestors' stories are being reclaimed, one article at a time.

🔔 Subscribe to the podcast for more enlightening talks and join us in exploring how historical narratives shape our future. You can also watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@thecolorbetweenthelines