With the aftermath of slavery, how do black people living in USA, Europe, Caribbean and South America make sense of tracing their family tree and heritage?

Alex Haley's epic journey in research and writing Roots gives the evidence and proof that this can be done after 400 years of dislocation from Africa. Alex Haley's work inspired millions of people around the world from all nations and communities to rediscover their family history.

Recently, with the advancement of information systems in libraries, archive centres and breakthroughs in DNA technology; it is now open and accessible for black people to do genealogy research.

The case studies below give some clear illustrations:

• Paul Crooks (from London, of Jamaican parentage using public records)
• Pearl Duncan (from New York of Jamaican parentage using language and DNA)
• Motherland (Roots Britannia, BBC programme which collected DNA samples from 200 volunteers of people of African/Caribbean parentage).

The use of various tools and resources in undertaking searches for family history (see our genealogy resources page) gives everyone in the black community an opportunity to start the process of developing a better understanding of identity and culture.

However, we must be aware that the above processes are not 100% proof of a particularly family genealogy (there are still major gaps in public records and the growing loss of folklore and traditional sources) or that it raises ethical issues (recent situation with Aborigines who need to share a DNA test to prove their identity in voting in elections) view article.

With a better understanding of genealogy in the black community, we can go on further to share our heritage and achievements and lay the foundation for future generations.

Please email us at genealogy@everygeneration.co.uk if you have any opinions on this matter or if you have been successful in tracing your family tree.