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Celebrating Matriarch by Ms. Tina Knowles

Celebrating Matriarch by
Ms. Tina Knowles

Discover your own family history.

Discover your own family history.

Curious about the powerful women who paved the way for you? You've come to the right place. Explore the untold stories of your past with family tree features, DNA tools, and more.

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Free trial terms apply.

Take our search for a spin.

Take our search for a spin.

Take our search for a spin.

Your family story is in our records. What will you find? Simply enter some basic information to reveal details about specific ancestors. Start with your grandparents and see what discoveries await.

Your family story is in our records. What will you find? Simply enter some basic information to reveal details about specific ancestors. Start with your grandparents and see what discoveries await.

Just start with a family name.

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A free Ancestry® account is required to access your stories.

Top tips for searching your family history.

Top tips for searching your family history.

Top tips for searching your family history.

From talking with relatives to checking the spelling of names, Ancestry expert Nicka Sewell‑Smith shares her suggestions for navigating your family's past.

From talking with relatives to checking the spelling of names, Ancestry expert Nicka Sewell‑Smith shares her suggestions for navigating  your family's past.

Read more in our Research Guide

Read more in our Research Guide

Here’s what you may discover
in our records collection.

Here’s what you may discover in our records collection.

  • Where your ancestors
    were born.

    WWI Draft Registration Card

    Where your ancestors were born.
    WWI Draft Registration Card

  • What they looked like

    Seaman’s Certificate of American Citizenship

    What they looked like
    Seaman’s Certificate of American Citizenship

  • Where they went to school

    1950 U.S. Federal Census

    Where they went to school.
    1950 U.S. Federal Census

  • Where they worshipped

    Bishops of the A.M.E. Church

    Where they worshipped
    Bishops of the A.M.E. Church

  • How they made a living

    1950 U.S. Federal Census

    How they made a living
    1950 U.S. Federal Census

  • Your family tree is where all your
    discoveries come together.

    Family Trees on Ancestry

    Your family tree is where all your discoveries come together.
    Family Trees on Ancestry

  • “Finding out and knowing... It just feels really rich to have that piece of history.”

    “Finding out and knowing... It just feels really rich to have that piece of history.”

    — Wanda

    — Wanda

    Watch the story

  • “How often do we get to see the actual words of our ancestors?”

    “How often do we get to see the actual words of our ancestors?”

    — Khadijah

    — Khadijah

    Watch the story

  • “The most amazing thing was to actually read the record of his military time.”

    “The most amazing thing was to actually read the record of his military time.”

    — Chinyere

    — Chinyere

    Watch the story

  • “It’s really magical because the arts live dominantly in my family today.”

    “It’s really magical because the arts live dominantly in my family today.”

    — Robert

    — Robert

    Watch the story

Explore your origins

Explore your origins

AncestryDNA provides a detailed view of your African roots.

AncestryDNA provides a detailed view of your African roots.

AncestryDNA provides a detailed view of your African roots.

Discover your origins from over 3,000 places and journeys around the world—including 22 distinct regions and 63 ethnic groups across Africa. By connecting you to the places your ancestors once lived, AncestryDNA can help you grow your family tree and provide a more complete picture of your past.

Discover your origins from over 3,000 places and journeys around the world—including 22 distinct regions and 63 ethnic groups across Africa. By connecting you to the places your ancestors once lived, AncestryDNA can help you grow your family tree and provide a more complete picture of your past.

Discover your origins from over 3,000 places and journeys around the world—including 22 distinct regions and 63 ethnic groups across Africa. By connecting you to the places your ancestors once lived, AncestryDNA can help you grow your family tree and provide a more complete picture of your past.

Learn about DNA

Learn about journeys

Haven’t picked up a copy of Matriarch? Order yours today.

Haven’t picked up a copy of Matriarch? Order yours today.

Haven’t picked up a copy of Matriarch? Order yours today.

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Start a free trial or take advantage of this limited-time special offer.*

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