Roots Uncovered: Using DNA to Trace Enslaved Ancestors and Hidden Lineages

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  • Author
    Sonya T. Anderson
  • Level
    Beginner
  • Study time
    40 hours
  • Video time
    88 minutes

Uncover the Stories History Tried to Silence

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From enslaved ancestors and hidden adoptions to lost surnames and broken records, this course helps you trace what was taken—and reclaim what remains.

  • What You’ll Learn

    • How to trace enslaved ancestors when surnames, records, and paper trails were intentionally erased

    • Strategies for identifying biological parents, grandparents, and extended kin through DNA—even when adoption or secrecy is involved

    • How to recognize hidden lineages, name changes, and family separations across generations

    • Where to find overlooked records (census gaps, probate files, Freedmen’s records, church logs, and more)

    • How to interpret DNA matches when relationships aren’t obvious or neatly labeled

    • Techniques for clustering matches to uncover shared ancestors and family branches

    • How to connect genetic evidence with historical context to rebuild accurate family narratives

    • Ways to approach sensitive discoveries with care, integrity, and emotional readiness

    • How to document and preserve recovered stories so they are not lost again

    • How to transform painful or fragmented histories into knowledge, clarity, and reclaimed identity

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