stereoculturesociety:

CultureHISTORY: The “Lost Friends” Ads – New Orleans, LA (1879-1880)

A heartbreaking piece featuring the newly digitized collection of
original advertisements from a New Orleans newspaper between November
1879 and December 1880. Because it was part of the institution of
slavery to split up families, after the Civil War, African Americans
began the search for their lost kin. Once they were free, this was one
of the few options former slaves had to try and find their families.
Writing ads in local newspapers. Just another piece of American History.

Full article via Slate with more ads, The Hopeful, Heartbreaking Ads Placed by Formerly Enslaved People In Search Of Lost Family