How to Use DNA to Trace Slavery Ancestors
African-Americans face a unique challenge when researching their genealogy. Searching for ancestors who were slaves is daunting, and tracing those roots back to Africa has been virtually impossible. 20 million Africans were taken from their continent to become slaves, and once in the Americas, records of their ancestors or origin vanished. But now, with DNA testing, it is possible for living Americans to trace their ancestry, not just back to the continent of Africa, but to the village or community of their ancestors.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Contact a genetic DNA center that specializes in researching African ancestry, such as African Ancestry. If you use a genetic DNA testing center that does not specialize, you may only learn that your ancestors came from Africa.
-
2
Participate in a DNA testing project. Genetic DNA testing projects are common among surnames. For example, men with the surname Henry might participate in the Henry surname project, enabling them to locate living relatives. Those relatives, who have already established concrete links to their ancestors, can provide new branches to the family tree. Similar projects exist that focus on those with slavery ancestors.
-
-
3
Order a testing kit from one of the DNA genetic testing companies or sign up to participate in a testing project. A fee will be required.
-
4
Follow the instructions on the testing kit. Swab the inside of your mouth with the swabs included in the kit.
-
5
Return the kit to the testing company, per the instructions from the DNA testing center, and wait about a month for the results.
-
6
Research the customs and history of the country or area of Africa that is revealed to you after receiving the DNA test results. If you participate in a DNA testing project, you may be able to share information with others in the group who share your ancestry.
-
1
