Last week, I was at the San Francisco airport trying to fly home, and as seems to always be the case these days, my flight was delayed. At first I was aggravated, but then I discovered a great independent bookstore in the airport. I decided to regard it as a treat and headed straight for the recently released, non-fiction section. Of course, it was only a matter of seconds before I spotted a couple of books with a genealogical theme -- and between the delay and the actual flight, I swallowed them both whole.
The first was a book (Kinfolks -- falling off the family tree) about author Lisa Alther's search for her Melungeon ancestors. I was hooked as soon as I saw the reference to DNA testing on the inside flap -- especially since it said that "DNA testing finally offered answers."
This intrigued me because I've followed a lot of the online chit-chat about the use of DNA for this purpose and hadn't seen anything conclusive. So I did as I always do -- went straight to the back of the book. I was pleasantly surprised to see Trace Your Roots with DNA mentioned in the bibliography, but absolutely delighted to see my co-author, Ann Turner, singled out for recognition in the Acknowledgments section. Anyone who's into genetic genealogy is full of admiration for Ann and for good reason. She's a genius who can explain things so that the mere mortals like myself can understand. And as it happens, I had just met with her earlier that day. Odd coincidence.
At any rate, the book struck me as an honest read -- and a journey that many fellow genies will recognize. Her description of online DNA lists on p. 213 will make genetic genealogists guffaw in recognition -- and let's face it, hasn't everyone with a Melungeon rumor in the family checked for shovel teeth and a Mongolian blue spot? And her father's reactions to everything throughout were very familiar as well. I suspect most family history sleuths will appreciate this ride.
The second book snagged my attention as soon as I spotted the word "cemetery" the title. Love Cemetery -- Unburying the Secret History of Slaves. C'mon? How could I resist a book like that?
This book, by China Galland, also struck me as very real and honest -- right down to the disagreements and bureaucracy that hinder this noble undertaking to restore an old cemetery in Texas. It should be read by everyone who's considering such a task -- and fingers crossed that many more will follow in their path. I love anything that brings a voice to the forgotten, and heaven knows, these former slaves buried in an almost unreachable place had nearly been forgotten. But that's being rectified. If you're into genealogy, this one belongs on your read-soon list.
Well, I'm off for a visit to my sister in Hawaii, so I doubt there will be much blogging here for a bit (sorry, but I hope to have fairly little contact with the online world!), but I hope these reading recommendations will provide a tempting distraction!