BPL hosts DNA testing for African Ancestry virtual program on Tuesday
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| Paul Boncella, map conservator of the Birmingham Public Library. |
What: DNA Testing for African Ancestry
When: Tuesday, February 22 | From 12:00—1:00 p.m. (Online via Zoom)
Workshop Presenter: Paul Boncella, map conservator of the Birmingham Public Library
About the program: DNA ethnicity testing may seem like a simple and efficient way to trace your ethnicity. But do you know the differences between all the testing kits and what they offer? Paul Boncella examines the current state of the science behind ancestry kits, lists the possibilities for African ethnicity testing, and explains what the various products actually deliver. This program is open to all patrons and held virtually.
Birmingham, Alabama- Paul Boncella, map conservator at the Birmingham Public Library since 2012, has a passion for educating library patrons.
Over the past few years during BPL’s celebration of Black History Month, he has touched on parts of Birmingham’s dark racist past, including how the government used laws to segregate black and white homeowners. Last February, Boncella shared tips on a African-American book volume BPL's Southern History Department has to help Blacks look into their family history.
In a recent interview, Boncella talked about the lecture with BPL’s PR Department.
BPL: The difficulties of finding information on loved ones who were enslaved is an issue many Blacks face. Talk about some of the ways your workshop will address helping them in the search for ancestors.
Boncella: Little documentation of the lives and families of enslaved individuals has come down to us, but precious records of their existence were passed down from every generation to the next. Indeed, although DNA cannot bring up the names of lost ancestors, it has the potential to lead their descendants back to their ancestral homelands and, perhaps, even living relatives in Africa.
BPL: What are some of the topics you will cover during this virtual event?
Boncella: The fundamentals of DNA testing for ethnicity, the three types of tests used for it, what selected DNA test companies actually provide, and how to make the best and fullest use of the test results.
BPL: What specific need in the community does this program fulfill?
Boncella: Many people hope that DNA ethnicity testing can identify the specific place(s) in Sub-Saharan Africa that their ancestors called home, but very few of them know the full range of available DNA ancestry products, the differences among them, and what they actually provide. They will gain that information here.
BPL: How did you identify the need for this topic as part of our Black History Month programming?
Boncella: Whenever I answer inquiries about DNA test companies that specifically target people of African ancestry, I realize that only an expert has the means to gather the information necessary to make a fair and accurate assessment of their products. Really, you cannot just Google this stuff.
BPL: What do you hope viewers of this virtual lecture learn?
Boncella: I will be satisfied if they come away with the knowledge they need to choose DNA ancestry products that actually can provide them with something that is both valuable and meaningful. In doing so they will be determining the direction that the DNA test industry takes in shaping and improving its products.
BPL: Anything else to add?
Boncella: Although it has been in stagnation for some years now, there was a dramatic advance in DNA testing for African ancestry just recently, and I cannot wait to tell people about it. Hey, if I am excited about it, it has to be significant!
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