Contraband Hearts

A Legacy Unearthed. A Nation Reborn.

A Love Story That Transcends Time.

When Calvin Osborne began tracing his ancestry, he uncovered a powerful truth buried in forgotten records: his great-great-grandfather, William Lacy, was born enslaved, fought for freedom, and helped shape a legacy that would span generations.

Contraband Hearts follows William's journey from the pre-Civil War South to the battlefields of Westport, where he served alongside pivotal figures in America's defining conflict. After the war, he began a new life with his wife, Lucinda, in a small Kansas town-unknowingly planting roots that would echo across centuries.

Told through the eyes of a descendant, this narrative blends rich genealogy, rare documents, and historical detail. Osborne even discovers a striking connection: William's birthplace in Alabama was also home to his wife and her family's, intertwining destinies long before their paths crossed.

This intimate, sweeping story is a must-read for:

Historians seeking untold Civil War storiesGenealogy buffs exploring African American lineagePreservationists honoring ancestral footprints

With heartfelt storytelling and enduring truth, Contraband Hearts is a tribute to resilience, heritage, and the power of legacy that lives on.