Finding Your Roots

Assuming that the traditional saying that “history tends to repeat itself” is accurate then… how can we really know where we are going, if we don’t know where we came from? How do we untangle those jumbled facts of the past? Most people can only recite the names of their parents and grandparents, and think to know any more is beyond their reach. This does not mean that they lack the thirst for that historical knowledge and the sense of belonging to something bigger than themselves.

Genealogy provides us with methodology and powerful tools to assist us in our search for our past. We have used these tools and numerous resources in our continuing search for the Cornute Legacy. We also hope that our efforts and results have or will encourage other family members to join the search into other lines within our individual family trees.

When Alex Haley wrote Roots he had to travel to Virginia many times to search the archives in those towns and cities. Eventually he traveled to Gambia where he finally came face to face with the origins of his family, the Kinte clan… “Kunta I have found you”.

Searching out your family origin is much easier today given the wealth of genealogical information available on the Internet. Organizations like FamilySearch, Ancestry and others make the discovery process simpler and fun.

Start with what you know for sure, you, your parents and grandparents names, places and dates of births. Pick the elders brains for what they know while making it fun for them and yourselves.

Now get out there and discover your “Kunta” moment!