Friday, 29th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Want to know more about your Nigerian roots?

By Clarkson Eberu
11 June 2023   |   12:34 am
Have you ever been curious about your ancestry or your roots? Maybe you know the basis of where your family came from, but you don’t know much beyond that.

Maybe you know the basis of where your family came from, but you don’t know much beyond that. Learning about your roots is so important to understanding the history of your family. It’s a way to discover who you are and where you came from, and there is power in that knowledge too.

Curious to know more about your Nigerian roots or any other type of background? In this guide, we share some helpful ways to dig deeper into your roots and learn more about your heritage.

The Value of Learning About Your Heritage

Whether you’re intrigued by genealogy or just want to know where your family comes from, there are so many benefits to learning about your roots and who you really are. The generations before you all had some sort of contribution that built up to who you are today. There are many stories that make up your ancestral history.

Not only is there power in understanding your roots, but you may discover things about yourself or your family that you never knew before. Maybe you will find a long-lost relative, discover a new family recipe, or learn that a distant grandparent did something amazing with their lives.

It’s about discovering who you are, and that means everything from the background to ethnicity and the family that came before you.

Tips to Learn More About Your
RootsDigging into your ancestry can be difficult and overwhelming. It’s ok to take it slow and take the time to really do your research. Take really great notes and document everything you find. Here, you will find some helpful tips to make the most of your search.


Try a DNA Test

A DNA test is a really great place to start. If you’re worried about how much does a DNA test cost, you can do your research and find many different options at various prices. Compare companies and what they offer in terms of DNA results, and then save up some money to get the testing that appeals to you the most.

You don’t have to run out and buy the most expensive test today. Research, compare, and then save up the money if you need to. It’s well worth the investment. These DNA tests will help you understand your full heritage and ethnicity, so it gives you a starting place. It will also let you know if there are others out there who fall into the same family line.

Search Genealogy Resources

There are a ton of websites out there that let you search your genealogy and learn more about your roots. These sites are connected into some of the deepest records and loaded with information that will connect you to the past. It will definitely take some time to figure out how to search, what to search, and what the information means.

There is a lot of information to dig through, but databases like MyHeritage, Ancestry, and many others grant you access to tons of information that might help you find out more about your history.

Online genealogy sites are pretty awesome, but there are other resources you can check out too. Try some of these:

Vital records
Census data
Voting data
Immigration records
Military records
Land, Estate, and Will records
Directors (school, city, church, etc.)

Try using a site or source that allows you to put together a family tree as you discover information. There are plenty of others out there searching for their roots, so connect with communities and boards that can give you tips for the best search results.

Interview Relatives

Finally, take the time to interview your known relatives to learn more and get the personal stories about your history. If you have family that you know of or are close to, this is a great place to start. How often do you just sit and visit and talk about family?

Speaking to your relatives will be free unless you choose to bring some flowers or perhaps share a meal while you talk. While we call this an interview, you can make it personal and enjoyable by simply sharing some conversation with a loved one to learn more about your roots.

It’s a great way to get to know this family member better and learn about the history of your family. Sit down face to face or exchange letters with a loved one. They will love sharing the history they know about. Take notes and take it all in. Consider using paper to take notes, a video camera to cherish the moments, or even a voice recorder to review later.

Final Thoughts

Searching for more information about your Nigerian roots will take some focused time and dedication. The good news is there are tons of resources to tap into. Whether you sit down and exchange stories with family or you dig deep into records to find out more about your history, learning your heritage will bring you tons of memories and information that you never had before. Be patient and work through all the little things, taking note of what you discover as you go!

0 Comments