I found the Petition for Freedom for my G-Grandmother, Cecelia Thomas on Fold3. YAY! Cecelia was freed in 1862 by Ann Emeline Ward who inherited Cecelia from Ann's father, John L. Ward who, according to the Petition, died in 1860. John L. Ward also owned Cecelia's mother (name unknown).

Needless to say, there are lots of Ann Wards and lots of John Wards on the various documents I've found. I don't know where John Ward lived, nor where Ann was born, only that Ann was living in Maryland in 1862 when she freed Cecelia.

I would really appreciate any suggestions for how to go about finding more information on the Wards and my G-Grandmother and her family. I'm getting frustrated. :-(

Thanks in advance!