Well from what i remember from my history classes, of course the slaves came from Africa, which areas i cannot remember, but they were often sold in to slavery by their own Chieftains while others were captured. The voyage usually ended in the deaths of many of the ill treated slaves who were kept shackled in the dank, rat infected hold, under nourished and not allowed the opportunity to bathe nor see sunlight on deck.
Once they reached their destination they were usually sold at auction and the larger healthier males went to work in the field while the prettier females were made in to house slaves where they were often made to do more than just keep house(if you get my drift) Families, loved ones and children would often be cruely separated and for the most part never to see each other again.
It was all very inhuman and barbaric and so much more than what i've written here.
Mikala