National Geographic History - July 2019

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC HISTORY 89

developed in the colonies. In African kingdoms,
slavery was not permanent nor was it inher-
ited. Children of slaves were not automatically
enslaved, and they could be socially and politi-
cally mobile.
In the “New World,” slavery transformed. It
was permanent and hereditary. The enslaved
had few or no civil rights. They could be bought
and sold at their owners’ discretion. The social
construct of race became tightly tethered to legal
status, causing problems that ripple down to the
present day.
As the 400th anniversary of the 1619 arrival
approached, more people actively tried to trace
their roots back to their African ancestors’ ar-
rival in the colonies. Some are fortunate, like
members of the William Tucker 1624 Society.
Many members can trace their lineage back to
William Tucker, believed to be the first African-
American child born in Virginia. Their surname
was recorded centuries ago, and they have re-
mained connected to this distinct family line.
Unfortunately, the Tuckers are the excep-
tion, as most African Americans can only trace

LONG

HISTORY

Shirley Plantation

(above), one of

the oldest Virginia

plantations, was

established in 1613

on the banks of

the James, upriver

from Point Comfort.

The first enslaved

Africans were

documented there in

1622, the last in 1865.

DR. KELLEY FANTO DEETZ IS A HISTORIAN OF

THE AFRICAN DIASPORA AND DIRECTOR OF

PROGRAMMING, EDUCATION, AND VISITOR ENGAGEMENT

AT STRATFORD HALL IN STRATFORD, VIRGINIA.

their ancestors back to the late 19th centu-

ry, following emancipation, when African

Americans were free to record their own full

legal names. Scientific advances in genetics

have also given people new tools to find their

ancestors via DNA, but creating a full family

tree remains unlikely. Few family histories

will ever be complete, yet another legacy of

the inhumane treatment of enslaved Africans

and their descendants.

Looking back to 1619, one realizes it is

time to recognize how racist ideology fed

the colonization of the Americas and the

systematic enslavement and oppression of

both Native Americans and captive Afri-

cans. Looking forward, one must also see

how necessary it is for humanity to try to

tell the full story of the millions of Africans

who were stolen away.

PAT & CHUCK BLACKLEY/ALAMY