[antiRepublicrat]

As far back as I can trace any of my family we did not own slaves. Many branches came here after slavery, and the ones I can find that were here during slavery were against slavery.

There is one exception. I can trace American Indian ancestry, and I know some Indian tribes kept slaves. Maybe I can claim victim and victimizer in the same ancestry!

[brushcop]

You are probably right on, remember that tribes fought each other also for territory, hunting “rights” and for slaves as well. There are no angels in mankind!

Have you read Catlin’s “Manners, customs etc., etc., (long 19th century titles!) of the North American Indians”? Worth it for the paintings alone much less his experiences. He wrote honestly and regardless, it is fascinating stuff.

You might be able to claim something but it’s going to be hard to find out which tribes can pay up.

[muawiyah]

The Iriquois freed themselves from traditional slavery (submission and tribute) under the Huron. They, themselves, practiced the same sort of thing with the Mingo ~ that is, non-Confederation Iriquois speaking people.

It was a way of life here.