Tracing Your Ancestry

The Dana Centre marked the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade in England by tracing the genetic lineage of Tim Campbell, winner of BBC TV’s The Apprentice in 2005; Cedric Barber, a descendant of Dr Samuel Johnson’s African-Caribbean servant and ex-slave Francis Barber; and David Lammy MP, Minister for Culture. This discussion event looked into the science of tracing ancestry and issues surrounding this. Specialists involved included geneticists and a historian of the slave trade.

Videos

Facilitator Elizabeth Anionwu introduced the event before asking Peter Forster to explain the process of using genetic testing to trace your ancestry.

Tim Campbell discussed his results with Peter Foster, describing his reactions to them and thoughts on his origins, before being joined by Cedric Barber.

Geneticist Mark Thomas provided an alternative view on tracing your ancestry. The final speaker, Caroline Bressey, joined the conversation to talk about the slave trade as part of black British history.

The Minister for Culture, David Lammy MP, discussed the results and impact of his genetic tests with Peter Forster.

After discussions in small groups, the audience reunited to wrap up the evening with a question-and-answer session.

We interviewed a couple of audience members to see what they thought about the issues raised in the event.

We interviewed a couple of audience members to see what they thought about the issues raised in the event.

Speakers

Cedric Barber, descendant of Francis Barber, the servant of lexicologist Dr Samuel Johnson, Stoke-on-Trent
Caroline Bressey, Co-curator, London and Slavery Gallery Museum, Docklands
Tim Campbell, winner of The Apprentice in 2005, London
Peter Forster, geneticist, Roots for Real Ltd
Mark Thomas, geneticist, University College London

Facilitator:
Elizabeth Anionwu, Head of the Mary Seacole Centre for Nursing Practice, Thames Valley University, London