Exploring Family Ancestral Histories Through Genetic Genealogy

Dear Colleagues,

Genetic genealogy has emerged as an essential tool in uncovering ancestral family histories, particularly for communities impacted by historical events that have severed ties with their ancestral homelands and lineages. By integrating advanced genetic analyses with traditional genealogical methods, researchers can gain deep insights into recent demographic histories, shedding light on ancestral lineages, family narratives, kinship practices, and the cultural and social dynamics that shape communities. While much of the existing research in genetic genealogy focuses on genetic ancestry as a stand-in for ethnicity—utilizing allele frequencies or DNA segment matching to infer population structures—this Special Issue emphasizes the direct genetic relatedness among individuals and the reconstruction of specific ancestral lineages and multigenerational family groups through shared genetic segments and family trees. The Special Issue titled "Exploring Family Ancestral Histories Through Genetic Genealogy" aims to delve into the methodologies, applications, and social implications of genetic data in reconstructing family lineages, fostering a deeper understanding of identity and addressing the impacts of historical disconnections.

Scope

The scope of this Special Issue encompasses a multidisciplinary exploration of genetic genealogy as it relates to ancestral history reconstruction. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Methodologies in Genetic Genealogy: Development and application of advanced genetic analyses and computational algorithms for inferring extended family trees across multiple generations (Jewett et al., 2021). Special consideration will be given to techniques that overcome challenges posed by limited historical records.
• Demographic Histories and Migration Patterns: Research utilizing genetic genealogy to shed light on historical migration patterns, population movements, and kinship practices (Eltis, 2018).
• Kinship Practices and Cultural Dynamics: Analyses of how genetic findings inform our understanding of kinship practices, family narratives, and the cultural and social dynamics that shape communities. This could include the exploration of the interplay between genetic ancestry and cultural identity.
• Reconstruction of Ancestral Lineages: Empirical studies that trace family ancestries using genetic data, potentially combined with historical records, oral traditions, or archeological findings to provide a more comprehensive understanding of lineage connections.
• Social Implications of Family Discoveries: Investigations into the social implications of genetic discoveries, particularly how reconnecting with ancestral lineages impacts individual and collective identities. Themes could include identity, trauma, and healing, among others (Jackson, 2021). Special consideration will be given to studies examining the role of genetic genealogy in addressing historical trauma and fostering healing within affected communities.
• Community Engagement and Participatory Research: Case studies highlighting collaborative efforts between researchers and communities. Documentation of participatory approaches that empower individuals and groups to engage actively in reconstructing their ancestral histories.

We particularly encourage submissions that offer insights into how genetic genealogy can serve as a tool for empowerment and reconnection. Special consideration will be given to genealogies that include populations affected by mass trauma or displacement events, such as mass human trafficking from Africa and the Trail of Tears (Fortes-Lima and Verdu, 2021). Interdisciplinary approaches that bridge genetics, anthropology, history, sociology, and related fields are highly welcomed. All submissions should include ethical considerations.

Purpose

The purpose of this Special Issue, "Exploring Family Ancestral Histories Through Genetic Genealogy", is to advance the understanding of how genetic genealogy can reconstruct ancestral family histories and address the impacts of historical disconnections. By uniting interdisciplinary research, we aim to bridge gaps in ancestral knowledge for communities whose ties have been severed by historical events, enhance methodological rigor in genetic analyses, illuminate demographic histories and migration patterns, explore the social implications of reconnecting with ancestral lineages, promote ethical research practices, and foster community engagement through participatory approaches. Ultimately, this Special Issue seeks to underscore the transformative power of genetic genealogy as both a scientific tool and a means of personal and communal restoration, contributing to a deeper appreciation of identity, heritage, and the enduring impacts of history on present-day communities.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the guest editors ([email protected]) or to the Genealogy editorial office ([email protected]). Abstracts will be reviewed by the guest editors for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

References

1. Eltis, D. (2018). The Transatlantic Slave Trade Database.
2. Fortes-Lima, C., & Verdu, P. (2021). Anthropological genetics perspectives on the transatlantic slave trade.
3. Jackson, F. L. (2021). The impact of genetic genealogy on the African diaspora.
4. Jewett, E. M., et al. (2021). Bonsai: An efficient method for inferring large-scale genealogies with genotype data.

Abstract Submission Deadline: 15 December 2024
Notification of Abstract Acceptance: 15 January 2025
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2025 (as posted)

Dr. LaKisha Tawanda David
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Genealogy is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• genetic genealogy
• ancestral family histories
• family tree reconstruction
• genetic family tree inference
• demographic histories