Find your African American ancestors.
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Discover your African heritage
Here are 10 steps to help you get started reclaiming your African roots.
STEP 7Look for Blanks
Formats such as the fan chart can help you to more clearly see where you’re missing family information.
STEP 8Search for Historical Records
There are a host of records available to search on both the federal and state levels to help you get started.
STEP 9Add Photos and Stories
Breathe life and personality into your genealogy by uploading photos and adding stories in the Memories section of FamilySearch.
STEP 10Work Together as a Family
Enlist your immediate and extended family in searching for names, collecting artifacts, and adding people to the Family Tree.
STEP 1Write What You Know
Before you head online, write down everything you know about your family. Print out a pedigree chart to help keep track of everyone.
STEP 2Find Artifacts around the Home
Look for any possible information about your family and ancestors in records you may have in your home or in a relative’s home.
STEP 3Interview Relatives
Ask parents, siblings, and extended relatives for their help in filling in the blanks of your pedigree chart.
STEP 4Create a FamilySearch Account
Creating a FamilySearch account will allow you to preserve your family’s information and collaborate with others with common ancestors.
STEP 5Create Your Own Family Tree
FamilySearch helps you input the information you’ve collected on your own and with other family members to start building out your tree.
STEP 6Search for Existing Ancestors
Ask parents, siblings, and extended relatives for their help in filling in the blanks of your pedigree chart.
STEP 7Look for Blanks
Formats such as the fan chart can help you to more clearly see where you’re missing family information.
STEP 8Search for Historical Records
There are a host of records available to search on both the federal and state levels to help you get started.
STEP 9Add Photos and Stories
Breathe life and personality into your genealogy by uploading photos and adding stories in the Memories section of FamilySearch.
STEP 10Work Together as a Family
Enlist your immediate and extended family in searching for names, collecting artifacts, and adding people to the Family Tree.
STEP 1Write What You Know
Before you head online, write down everything you know about your family. Print out a pedigree chart to help keep track of everyone.
STEP 2Find Artifacts around the Home
Look for any possible information about your family and ancestors in records you may have in your home or in a relative’s home.
STEP 3Interview Relatives
Ask parents, siblings, and extended relatives for their help in filling in the blanks of your pedigree chart.
STEP 4Create a FamilySearch Account
Creating a FamilySearch account will allow you to preserve your family’s information and collaborate with others with common ancestors.
Find famous relatives.
Select one of the profiles below to learn more about each person’s family tree. Sign in to see if you are related.
Billie Holiday
(1915-1959)
view profileRenowned jazz singer known for her unique voice and reflection of African American experiences.
Dred Scott
(c. 1799-1858)
view profileEnslaved man who sued for freedom in the landmark Dred Scott v. Sandford case.
Harriet Tubman
(c. 1822-1913)
view profileAbolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor, known for her bravery and determination.
George W. Carver
(1860s-1943)
view profileInnovative scientist and educator known for his work with peanuts and agriculture.
Frederick Douglass
(1818-1895)
view profileInfluential abolitionist, writer, and orator who escaped slavery and fought for civil rights.
Malcolm X
(1925-1965)
view profileProminent civil rights activist known for powerful speeches on Black empowerment advocacy.
Rosa Parks
(1913-2005)
view profileCivil rights activist who sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott with her bus seat refusal.
Muhammad Ali
(1942-2016)
view profileLegendary boxer, civil rights advocate, and opposition to the Vietnam War.
Major Charity Adams
(1917-2002)
view profilePioneering leader of the historic 6888th all-black women's battalion.
Roberto Clemente
(1934-1972)
view profileHall of Fame baseball player known for skills on the field and humanitarian efforts.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
(1929-1968)
view profileBaptist minister and influential leader in the civil rights movement.
Billie Holiday
(1915-1959)
view profileRenowned jazz singer known for her unique voice and reflection of African American experiences.
Dred Scott
(c. 1799-1858)
view profileEnslaved man who sued for freedom in the landmark Dred Scott v. Sandford case.
Harriet Tubman
(c. 1822-1913)
view profileAbolitionist and Underground Railroad conductor, known for her bravery and determination.
George W. Carver
(1860s-1943)
view profileInnovative scientist and educator known for his work with peanuts and agriculture.
Frederick Douglass
(1818-1895)
view profileInfluential abolitionist, writer, and orator who escaped slavery and fought for civil rights.
Malcolm X
(1925-1965)
view profileProminent civil rights activist known for powerful speeches on Black empowerment advocacy.
Rosa Parks
(1913-2005)
view profileCivil rights activist who sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott with her bus seat refusal.
Muhammad Ali
(1942-2016)
view profileLegendary boxer, civil rights advocate, and opposition to the Vietnam War.
Major Charity Adams
(1917-2002)
view profilePioneering leader of the historic 6888th all-black women's battalion.
Roberto Clemente
(1934-1972)
view profileHall of Fame baseball player known for skills on the field and humanitarian efforts.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
(1929-1968)
view profileBaptist minister and influential leader in the civil rights movement.
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