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1619: How one Black journalist traced her ancestry

1619: How one Black journalist traced her ancestry

Released Sunday, 28th February 2021
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1619: How one Black journalist traced her ancestry

1619: How one Black journalist traced her ancestry

1619: How one Black journalist traced her ancestry

1619: How one Black journalist traced her ancestry

Sunday, 28th February 2021
Good episode? Give it some love!
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Tracing one's family history can be both intimidating and joy-filled. USA TODAY reporter Deborah Barfield Berry went down this path of discovery when she found out that the subject of her story could be related to her. 

Deborah guides us through her personal journey, with help from Hollis Gentry, a genealogy specialist at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. 

From libraries and churches in a tiny and otherwise unknown Virginia town, Deborah ended up uncovering stories her family never would have heard otherwise.

Take note: if you want to trace your own ancestry, listen for the tips and advice experts share in this episode.

This audio piece was produced by Claire Thornton and originally appeared in fall 2019 as part of USA TODAY’s 1619 Project, which examines and commemorates the arrival of the first Africans in English North America 402 years ago.

More reading:

Black families are using DNA, genealogy to fill in historical gaps left by slavery



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