UniDNA — Afro Unidad

AFRO UNIDNA PROJECT

Our project has provided 16+ Afro-descendants around the world with DNA tests to uncover the lost connection to their African ancestors. We documented the process for our co-founders and Black people in the USA, Panama, Peru in our debut film (2022). Creating the documentary inspired this larger project. A tree cannot stand without roots. Dysfunctional roots lead to dysfunctional fruit. Researching roots to and beyond slavery is essential for Afro people to reclaim and reconnect with their ancestral heritage. By digging into pre-slavery history, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their ancestral culture, art, music, literature, spirituality, and more. Technological advancements and affordable DNA testing have revolutionized the field of genealogy. Millions of people around the world are reconnecting with previous generations and distant relatives. Afro-descendants in the Americas specifically can reconnect with Africa with a more authentic sense of belonging and pride while repairing connections lost through slavery.

ANCESTRAL LINEAGE HEALING: TIPS/ RESOURCES FOR TRACING YOUR ROOTS & DNA

The average DNA kit ranges around $100 with promotional sales lowering prices to $60. The availability of free databases and historical archives also play a vital role in the quest to trace your roots. These resources offer a wealth of historical records (census data, plantation/slave records, birth and death records, military records, and more) to provide crucial information for reconstructing family trees and tracing ancestral lineages.

African Ancestry: DNA testing company specializing in tracing individuals' African ancestry. They use the largest database of African DNA samples to trace an individual's African ancestry to a specific country and ethnic group.

Ancestry.com DNA: DNA testing company that can help individuals trace their ancestry and ethnicity, including African ancestry. Their DNA database includes over 20 million people and can provide insights into an individual's ancestry up to several generations back.

FamilySearch: Nonprofit genealogy organization that provides access to a wide range of genealogy resources and records, including resources related to African American genealogy. They offer access to census records, military records, immigration records, and other historical documents that can help trace an individual's ancestry. www.familysearch.org/en

Family Search: African American Online Genealogy Records

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA): NARA is a federal agency that houses a vast collection of historical records, including census records, military records, and immigration records that can be used for genealogical research. They offer resources for African American genealogy research, including Freedmen's Bureau records and slave ship manifests. www.archives.gov/ Record includes The Freedmen’s Bureau: a federal agency that provided assistance to newly emancipated slaves during the Reconstruction era. The bureau’s records can be helpful in tracing Black ancestry.

African American Genealogy- links to pages for researching African Americans in each U.S. state.

African American Genealogy Group: This organization provides resources, support, and education for individuals who are interested in researching African American ancestry. They offer online forums, webinars, and resources on their website. https://aagg.org

International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG): ISOGG is a nonprofit organization that provides information and resources for genetic genealogy research. They offer a range of resources, including DNA testing guides, a DNA testing comparison chart, and a DNA testing company directory.

National Museum of African American History and Culture: Has a genealogy research center that provides resources and assistance for individuals researching their African American ancestry. They offer access to historical documents, databases, and online resources for genealogy research.

Corporate/Insurance Slaveholder: In 2000, the California legislature found that "Insurance policies from the slavery era have been discovered … These documents provide the first evidence of ill-gotten profits from slavery, which profits in part capitalized insurers whose successors remain in existence today." https://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/150-other-prog/10-seir/

Brister English Project: An independent genealogist illuminating the rich heritage of American descendants of chattel slavery, fostering self-discovery and unity through genealogical exploration. Many of these resources came from their research and database. https://bristerep.me/

International Museum of African American History: This new museum has a Center for Family History and a website full of resources for Black Americans to reconnect with family history.

Reclaiming Kin: Lots of resources and information by Robyn. www.reclaimingkin.com/start-here/

UNITED STATES PUBLIC RECORDS/ GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS

· Census Records Military Records Land Records

· Immigration Records (Ship Passenger Lists)

· Naturalization Records

CARIBBEAN DNA/ GENEALOGY RESOURCES

· UK National Archives Caribbean Roots

· Jamaican Family Search

· Legacies of British Slavery

· Archives UK Resources to Search For Records Of Slave Owners and Enslaved People

· Slave Registers, 1813-1834 of Former British Colonial Dependencies

SEARCHING SLAVE SHIPS DOCUMENTS