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DNA - Useful Tool In African American Genealogy Research 7/25/2008 9:43:11 PM
Article about the use of DNA in Genealogical Research. To DNA or not to DNA, that is the question. By 2003 I had been researching and documenting my family history for over twenty years. I was working on a book which documented the extraordinary achievements of my ancestors (Notes And Documents of Free Persons of Color, Lulu Press, 2004). Yet, I still felt that something was missing, and that somehow the DNA test would answer those questions. When I swabbed my cheek and sent it to Family Tree DNA, I thought I knew the answers.
From the time I was a small child my mother had shared her family history with me and my siblings. In those days, she was a stay at home mom, and we (her six children), were her company. As my sister and I got older, we spent more time with my mother, then our brothers. We were learning the fine art of cooking, cleaning, and other chores reserved for women. Now I look back on those days fondly, but at the time I felt, "Put Upon". My mother was an expert knitter, crocheter, cook, and story teller.
We were told about the natives, Whites, and Africans in our family. My mother would tell me that so and so, who looked white, was her cousin. Sometimes she would say, but they don't associate with us. The family was separated along racial lines. Although my mother was very light skinned, she had no interest in being anything but African American. If someone mistook her for Hispanic, she would tell them, "I am black". However, she did talk about her native roots, which came through her father. We knew little about her grandmother Ruth, but we were told by my mother that she was Indian. So taking the DNA test for me, was to prove my Native Roots. However the results that came back were shocking.
Instead of Native, the DNA results proved to be 87% European, 8% Native, and 5% African. Not only that but these lines traced through the prominent Warner, Lewis and Washington lines in Colonial Virginia. The line runs through Wales, prior to the occupation of the Anglos. At that time the Welsh tribes occupied what is now England. My ancestors were some of the original occupants of that region. Those lines include the mother of Henry the VIII, Elizabeth of York, and the last King of Wales Llewelyn .
My direct ancestor, Charles Lewis, also served in the Revolutionary War out of Fredericksburg. He was the son of a white man (John Lewis), and a mulatto woman. Prior to taking my DNA test, I proved lineage to Charles Lewis to the satisfaction of the Daughter's of the American Revolution, and became a DAR member. However, I did not know that my female line would show up connected to the Lewis line. It appears that my ancestor, Charles married a cousin who was also a Lewis (I believe her name was Susanna).
According to my test results, my female ancestor (T2-T is for Tara), left Africa about 45,000 years ago, and crossed the Iberian Peninsula into Europe. She would have been traveling with other males and females, possibly seeking food. This tribe settled in what is now the Basque Region of Spain, and remained there for several thousand years. Then they settled in Belrusia, Switzerland, Germany, France, and then Britain. It is amazing to me that here I am discussing 45,000 years, so freely. After all America is what 400 years old?
Through Family Tree DNA I was able to connect to my DNA cousins, whose research took my lines back to 200 AD in Britain. We were there through the King Arthur period, and one the last true King of Wales (LLewelyn), is on my direct Lewis line. There is so much more to find, and I am looking forward to continuing the search. Now I realize that my African American Heritage is not a race, but an ethnic heritage. There are many mixed raced African Americans, some have Native Ancestry, and others European heritage. There are some who have all three (as in my case).
My brother, also took a male line DNA test (through Howard University), and his results were not what we expected. Instead of finding African roots, my paternal grandfathers male line is Native, coming out of Columbia South America. Yet, we do have African Roots, and have found them through our cousins, who have taken DNA tests.
The DNA tests have opened up an entirely new venue, and I believe it is a helpful tool. Besides taking the test, I also have my own site at Family Tree DNA. At any time I can check to see who my, "DNA" cousins are on the site. I have been in contact with several, including one in Belorussia's. She gave me a history of our ancestors, and background on their journey through Europe. She told me about the Basque Region of Spain and how, during the Spanish Inquisition, many were scattered all over Europe.
It is amazing to me that my DNA can be traced back thousands and thousands of years. My brothers DNA test went back 125,000 years ago to Africa, and the Middle East. There the first Eurasian male left the area, one went to Europe and the other through Asia. That Asian male was the one who would wind up in Columbia South America.
Yet, there is still work to be done, as the DNA test can not give you specific names or places. The research is up to the individual to complete. But speaking from personal experience it is worth it. If price is a concern, join a family surname research project. The tests are cheaper, and you may meet some relatives.
Besides Family Tree DNA, there is a project through Howard University, and other sites with varying rates. Be sure to research the site, and make sure it is legitimate, and the results are solid.
