My ancestors on my Nana's side came to Frederick, Maryland in the late 1860s from Montgomery County, where they were slaves. The furthest we can trace back is to Robert Ambush, born in 1803, died in 1905, and his two sons, Frederick and Patrick.

This is a slave record for Frederick (24), for ownership by a man named Hezekiah Trundle. The date handwritten on the left is 1867. Frederick's wife, Sarah Ellen Jackson, had also been a slave. Their son, Joseph, was my great-great grandfather.

Later as free men, brothers Frederick and Patrick founded the black community of Pleasant View, near Frederick, MD around 1869. I've never seen slave records for any of my family members until today. Here's a record for Robert (51) and Patrick (22).

I also found this photo of Patrick, who served in the Union Army. He and his wife, Henrietta, had 7 children. Frederick and Sarah had 8 -- which is why there are Ambushes all over Frederick. Happy Juneteenth ✊🏽