Q&A with Paul Boncella About His February 19 Workshop "DNA Testing for African Ethnicities"

Paul Boncella, Map Conservator for BPL.

What: DNA Testing for African Ethnicities 

When: Wednesday, February 19 |11:00 a.m.—12:00 p.m. 

Where:  Central Library, BPL Research Building, 4th Floor Computer Center, 2100 Park Place, Birmingham, AL 35201. You can also attend virtually online via Zoom.

Workshop Presenter: Paul Boncella, map conservator of the Birmingham Public Library

About the program: DNA ethnicity testing may seem a simple and efficient way to identify your ancestral connection to the peoples and places of Sub-Saharan Africa, but what do you know about the types of tests that exist and the insights that they offer? Paul Boncella examines the current state of the science, lists the possibilities for African ethnicity testing, and explains what the various products actually deliver. To register online  via Zoom, click here. 

Birmingham, Ala. - Two years ago, Paul Boncella shared tips on an African-American book series BPL's Southern History Department has to help Blacks look deeper into their family history. Since 2022 as part of BPL's Black History Month programs, Boncella  has hosted a workshop entitled "DNA Testing for African Ethnicities." 

Due to popular demand, Boncella - BPL's longtime map conservator - is repeating that workshop at 11:00 a.m. this Wednesday, February 19, at the Central Library downtown. 

In a recent interview, Boncella talked about how African-Americans can tackle the challenges of researching ancestors dating back to slavery days in the U.S. and tracing their heritage to Africa. 

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: Although this presentation will not show how to uncover ancestors who are not recorded in the paper trail, it will identify the African populations to which they belong. The insights that come from this can be applied in paper trail genealogy, and they may enable family historians to push the inevitable brick wall back a generation or more.

BPL: Will whether to use ancestry.com or other genealogy research websites be among the topics you will cover during this event?

Boncella: Definitely. There is quite a range of quality in the ethnicity products offered by the seven DNA testing companies examined in this presentation. 

BPL: What specific need in the community does this program fulfill? 

Boncella: Determining whether or not an ethnicity product provides an authentic connection to African populations is beyond the skills of the average genealogist. The participants will come away knowing what companies to patronize and which ones to avoid. 

BPL: You did this same workshop a year ago - what was the reaction from attendees?

Boncella: Almost everyone who registered for the event attended it, and they asked many good questions afterwards. 

 BPL: Anything else to add? 

 Boncella: African Americans are in a better position to make detailed connections to African populations than I am to those in Eastern Europe. This occurs in part because at least one company has prioritized the representation in its database of African Americans, and they have recruited people who have recent ancestral connections to the territories of the Transatlantic slave trade to test for them.

By Roy L. Williams, PR Director|Birmingham Public Library