How to Find African Ancestors
The quest to find your ancestors can be difficult, especially if you do not know how to proceed. This may be exceptionally true in the search of African ancestors. The legacy left by the slave trade makes searching for them a bit of a challenge. Records of the sale and transfer of African slaves during this time are vague if available at all. Today, however, DNA technology exists to help unlock the past in our quest for ancestors. Coupled with some of the more traditional avenues for research, the following steps will guide you so that you truly find your ancestors.
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Instructions
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Begin with your family records. Speak with your living family members about your genealogical roots: grandparents, distant relatives, elders in your community, and trusted family friends. Acquire an idea of your parental lineage by discussing the family tree with its living members. Make an effort to contact those that you don't converse with regularly. These relatives may be a source for overlooked or forgotten family information. Use insight gained to narrow the focus of your search.
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Reassemble your heritage through the use of genealogical tools, such as birth or death certificates, medical records, legal documents, and old family Bibles or journals. Search such records to acquire any background data that might aid or direct your search.
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Utilize online resources, such as genealogical search engines. Query the search engine with any data available on your family, even if limited to surname.
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Consult government documents for family history and records. Search for such documents in the Library of Congress and any long-standing religious organizations. Understand that African-Americans were recorded as property during the slave trade (before the mid-1800's), and use this information to aid in your exploration of government documents.
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Employ a private company to perform a DNA test. Some companies use DNA results to break down genetic makeup into percentages of four racial groups: African, European, American Indian and East Asian. Other companies use DNA samples to sequence the genetic makeup. They then compare it with a database of other results, possibly yielding DNA matches with indigenous African lineages or other ethnic groups. Expect to pay from the low hundreds to the high thousands for DNA genealogical testing.
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Speak with your family members about DNA tests and their best applied use. Use the results of family member DNA tests to overcome any hurdles in tracing family genealogy. You can all figure out your shared lineage if you work together.
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Tips & Warnings
Having an idea of your parental lineage really helps to focus your genealogical search for ancestors. The wisdom of your parents and grandparents will go a long way.
Don't set all your sights on Africa. You never know if your ancestry will lead back to Africa. Many people are finding that their family trees branch out to a variety of groups, including Native Americans and Europeans.
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Comments
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Ruthie
Feb 02, 2009
One of the best articles yet, of this type. Step four alone merits five stars ! How quickly we forget just how the African slaves were " brought over ", ( read that, dragged, chained, starved, etc. ) to The New World. And yes, many Black Americans are of at least three or four different mixtures, so don't just think of " Mother Africa " when searching for your past. Dennie Ho, God bless you and thank you for sharing. -
Ruthie
Feb 02, 2009
One of the best articles yet, of this type. Step four alone merits five stars ! How quickly we forget just how the African slaves were " brought over ", ( read that, dragged, chained, starved, etc. ) to The New World. And yes, many Black Americans are of at least three or four different mixtures, so don't just think of " Mother Africa " when searching for your past. Dennie Ho, God bless you and thank you for sharing.
