This paper examines the scope and historical significance of biographies and autobiographies of ex-slaves. The document focuses primarily on accounts of black women published from 1820-1860, but also discusses several narratives from colonial times. Exploits of famous women slaves including Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth are analyzed along with accounts of lesser-known black women who made major contributions to black kinship and cultural ties. Primary sources such as "Twelve Years a Slave," by Solomon Northrup, and "Aunt Sally: The Cross Way of Freedom," author unknown, characterize the conflicting roles played by black women in plantation life. Roles included mother, wife, sister, aunt, grandmother, family member, propagator of the black race, field laborer, domestic slave, transmitter of values to black children, and concubine to white slave owners. The body of slave narratives reveals a cross-section of relatively contented, well-treated and cooperative slaves and bitterly rebellious ones. Review of the literature indicates that black women were often able to help maintain stable family relationships and that black familial bonds were too strong to be completely severed by white oppression. (Author/DB)