So what's the big deal with online ancestry websites? Excellent question!
Websites such as Ancestry.com, Fold3.com, and FamilySearch.org provide a large amount of records that are KEYWORD SEARCHABLE. That means instead of traveling to different archives and libraries just to drudge through a bunch of indexes that may or may not include your family, you have the opportunity to sit at your local library and have the online resources do the drudge work for you!
Freedmensbureau.com
This free website allows you to search state and cities where bureau offices where located. Records can list name, vital dates, spouse and children, and possibly the plantation the where a person was enslaved. Details and available online records will vary from state to state.
Check out this "The History of Libraries for the Black community in Huntsville, Alabama" map made by Rocket City Civil Rights!
StoryMapJS: The history of libraries for the black community in Huntsville, Alabama (knightlab.com)
Ancestry.com
The library offers patrons access to Ancestry.com library edition for free. Use your library card number and PIN to access this database on our computers or bring your device to access it over the library Wi-Fi. Records available through Ancestry include census records, family trees compiled by other users, immigration records and more. This database is not available to at home users.
Fold3.com
This website contains military records going back generations and is a valuable tool in tracing your ancestors who served in the military. Records available include Civil War service records, Revolutionary War service records, World War I and World War II service records, and military pension records. This database is available from home with a valid library card and PIN.
FamilySearch.org
This free website is a good resource for additional information regarding marriages, deaths, and births. Some actual certificates are also available here.