This dissertation project will compare the 20th century migration experiences of southern whites and African Americans who moved to two midwestern cities, Cincinnati and Indianapolis. The key goals of the project are to identify and interpret three migration patterns-migration differentials, step migration and return migration-while paying special attention to how these patterns varied by race, urban setting and over time. The project will draw from a broad range of quantitative and documentary sources, including the Integrated Public Use Microdata Samples from U.S. censuses of 1910 through 1980. The main sources for city-level data are samples of county marriage records, which contain information on race, age, birthplace, occupation and residence for the bride and groom and their parents. Oral histories, newspapers, and organizational records will provide supplementary material.
