Roots Uncovered: Using DNA to Trace Enslaved Ancestors and Hidden Lineages

Sonya T. Anderson is an educator, author, and curriculum architect whose work spans several decades and reaches across three continents. Her expertise in instructional design, cultural studies, and worldschooling has shaped learning experiences for students, families, and ministries around the globe.

This course is the culmination of fourteen years of relentless DNA research, genealogy investigation, and ancestral reconstruction—a journey that began with one goal: to find her biological father. That search ultimately led her not only to him, but also to a rich tapestry of oral histories, newly discovered relatives, and extraordinary family lineages long hidden by time, silence, and enslavement.

Through her work, Sonya bridges past and present, weaving together the stories of her enslaved ancestors, their descendants, and their interwoven communities. Her mission is to empower others to reclaim their own roots, understand the historical forces that shaped their families, and honor the legacy of the ones who came before.