At a glance: DNA analysis of African Americans buried at an early U.S. iron forge reveals locations of their African and European ancestors and finds more than 40,000 living U.S. relatives. The study is the first to link up ancient DNA technology with a personal ancestry testing database and use a new method for determining genetic relationships. The work, which followed rigorous ethical guidelines, was inspired by groups seeking to restore ancestry knowledge to African American communities. A first-of-its-kind analysis of historical DNA ties tens of thousands of living people to enslaved and free African Americans who labored at an iron forge in Maryland known as Catoctin Furnace soon after the founding of the United States.

https://www.miragenews.com/historical-dna-links-living-individuals-to-1059725/

#miragenews