The work of documenting the lives of enslaved Africans and their descendants carries historical, genealogical, and moral responsibility. This journal is committed to preserving the record with accuracy, dignity, and care.
The following principles guide all submissions and editorial decisions.
The individuals documented in this journal are described first as people. Enslavement was a legal condition imposed upon them; it was not their identity.
We use person-first language and avoid dehumanizing terminology except when quoting directly from historical documents for clarity. When such language appears, it is contextualized.
This journal does not sensationalize suffering. It restores documented lives to the historical record.
All biographical entries must be grounded in verifiable historical sources.
Contributors are responsible for:
Ensuring factual accuracy
Distinguishing documented facts from interpretation
Avoiding speculation beyond the available evidence
Providing sufficient information to allow others to locate cited records
When new evidence emerges, the historical record may evolve. The journal reserves the right to issue corrections or updates in future volumes or digital revisions.
Artificial Intelligence tools may assist contributors in drafting narratives or organizing citations. However:
AI may not be used to fabricate historical details
All factual claims must be verified against documented sources
Contributors are responsible for reviewing and confirming accuracy
Technology should expand access to research, not distort the record.
Contributors must ensure that:
Documents submitted are public record or used in accordance with archival policies
Images are properly sourced and legible
They have the right to share any uploaded materials
The journal may decline or remove materials that violate reproduction guidelines or intellectual property standards.
Contributors retain copyright to their submitted work.
By submitting to the journal, contributors grant the Sons and Daughters of the United States Middle Passage (SDUSMP) a perpetual, non-exclusive license to publish, reproduce, archive, and distribute the work in digital and print formats for educational and scholarly purposes.
Contributors may choose whether to be publicly credited.
This journal exists to support connection, restoration, and education. Contributors should exercise care when suggesting lineage connections or family relationships, ensuring that such conclusions are supported by documentation.
The journal seeks to preserve history with integrity and sensitivity to living descendants.
The editorial team reserves the right to:
Edit submissions for clarity, formatting, and adherence to standards
Decline submissions that do not meet documentation or ethical guidelines
Curate non-biographical contributions to maintain the journal’s focus
These decisions are made to preserve the integrity and permanence of the archive.
This journal is committed to truthful historical documentation. Its purpose is educational and archival. It does not promote hostility or animus; it promotes evidence-based preservation of history.
Documenting the realities of slavery is an act of historical responsibility. Preserving the record ensures that these lives are neither erased nor reduced to abstraction.