The stories of the individuals in the series also reveal the complexity of race in America. “They’re stories that together offer a new understanding of not only the African-American experience, but also of race in America,” Gates said.
Actor Don Cheadle learns that his ancestors were enslaved by the Chicasaw Nation, a tribe that at the outbreak of the Civil War, allied with the South for preservation of slavery.
Gates starts the process by using traditional ancestry research, including an examination of legal records of births, deaths and property transactions. When the paper trail runs out, he continues with genetic techniques that can include DNA analysis.
Through research of admixture tests, Gates has learned that one out of 20 African-Americans have American Indian roots and all have European roots, he says. His own genetic makeup, Gates says, is about 51 percent African, 49 percent European. Other research has shown that almost all of today’s African-Americans have genetic ties to Senegal, Sierra Leone, Ghana, the Ivory Coast and Angola.
Gates said he has been fascinated with his ancestry since he was 10 years old. During the PBS event he said he wants to create a curriculum that combines traditional and genetic genealogical research to get students excited about studying history and their ancestry.
“If we can get our kids to understand we are survivors, it can begin to affect their self image,” Gates said.
--Cassie Chew
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