A Nation of Descendants: Politics and the Practice of Genealogy in U.S. History

Genealogy has always been important in the US, with DNA kits used to learn about medical histories, biological parentage, and ethnic background. A Nation of Descendants explores how specific groups have grappled with finding and recording their forebears, and how individuals and researchers use genealogy for personal and scholarly purposes.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 05 October 2021
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

Genealogy has always held significant importance in the United States, serving various purposes ranging from family reunions to claiming rights to land, inheritances, and more. With the advent of DNA kits that purportedly trace genealogical relations through genetics, millions of people have utilized these tools to gain insights into their medical histories, biological parentage, and ethnic background.

A Nation of Descendants delves into the enduring fascination of Americans with tracing family lineage across three centuries. Author Francesca Morgan explores the challenges and strategies employed by different groups throughout history, including Anglo-American white, Mormon, African American, Jewish, and Native American individuals, in their quest to identify and record their forebears. Morgan also sheds light on how individuals and researchers utilize genealogy for personal and scholarly purposes, as well as the impact of local businesspeople, companies like Ancestry.com, and the popular TV series Finding Your Roots on the commercialization and commodification of genealogy.

Through her comprehensive examination, Morgan provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the enduring significance of genealogy in American society, highlighting its role in shaping individuals' identities, preserving cultural heritage, and connecting generations.

Weight: 634g
Dimension: 235 x 155 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781469664774