DNA tests can't take the place of genealogy

DNA tests can't take the place of genealogy

The recent discovery of DNA tests linking Blacks to their African roots has gained national attention. But Tony Burroughs, internationally known genealogist said the trend can't take the place of good `ole fashioned research.

"It's been exaggerated because there is not enough DNA to tell people what tribes they originated from," he said.

"And, it's questionable when it will be available."

Burroughs said there has not been enough DNA attained from all tribes to determine the ancestral roots. In fact, the last report he received conveyed that tests thus far may be able to asses the region in which a researcher originated. But Burroughs does not completely discredit the new discovery, because he said it can also assist in the genealogical process, when it's developed.

"DNA will possibly give you another piece to the puzzle," he said.

A genealogist must start from the known and go back-wards to the unknown one generation at a time, he said. Much information has been documented from the slave trade and whereas the determination of an ancestor's slave owner tends to be the most difficult step, once the information has been verified, further records can be accessed, "filing in the life story of that ancestor and providing leads for uncovering other relatives."

"A lot of African Americans that were slaves lived on the plantations," he said.

"The plantations, which were huge farms, agri-businesses, they had business records and slaves were a part of those business records."

For 26 years, Burroughs has researched his family history and his findings showed that his ancestors played a role in every facet of history.

"I found that some of my ancestors fought in just about every war," he said, adding that he is still searching to find someone in his family who fought in the revolutionary war.

Burroughs said because of the number of members linked to one's ancestral history, the number of family members one can uncover can take some time but there are literally thousands of ancestors at one's disposal.

"It (genealogy) touches every fabric of American life," he said. In order to be successful in researching the ancestral background, Burroughs warns that patience should be a virtue. Too many times Burroughs has witnessed people get impatient, and that's when mistakes are made.

"People get trapped when they are searching for their direct ancestors," he said, adding that novice researchers may tend to focus on parents, grandparents, great-grandparents etc. But you can attain more information if you research the whole spectrum of your family history.

"Each one of them (direct ancestors) has siblings and they may have some information that can lead you to additional information about your great-grandparents...," he said.

Burroughs instructs people to do the whole family tree in order to get the whole story. He contends that the research is not necessarily in the name but in the individuals who hold the name.

"You have to research the people and not the name. You have to ask what makes up this individual," he said.

Questioning all documents that will increase accuracy when researching your family tree is essential. LaVerne Branscomb, an avid novice genealogical researcher learned quickly. She said information she requested about a relative led to incorrect information.

"They mistakenly put my adopted mother's husband's name in the place of her father on her death certificate," she said.

"These kind of mistakes can send you in a spiral because you are not going to find anything." Fortunately Branscomb caught the mistake because she knew the correct information and Burroughs reminds researchers that any records received should be checked for accuracy.

"You can't accept anything just because it has a government seal on it," he said.

"You must continuously analyze records."

Burroughs will present `Plantation Records: Sources for Slave Genealogy" on Thursday, February 8 at 6 p.m. at the Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton Street. The lecture will guide researchers on methods and strategies for navigating and understanding plantation records. In addition, Burroughs will have a book signing for his recent book "Black Roots: A Beginners's Guide to Tracing the African American Family Tree. For more information on the lecture, contact the Newberry Library at 312-943-9090.

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