How The African Kinship Reunion (TAKiR) Research Project Works
The African Kinship Reunion (TAKiR) research project aims to explore genetic genealogical connections and the broader social implications of the Transatlantic Slave Trade for Ghanaians and the African diaspora. The project combines advanced genetic testing, genealogical research, and social science methods to uncover ancestral ties and facilitate family reunifications.
Learn more about the main avenues for participation in the project, below.
Introduction: Why Get Involved?
The Family Roots Genealogy Pilot Program, part of a significant House Resolutions initiative, invites all participants to trace their ancestry, connect with actual living African relatives, and have every step managed by our dedicated team. Unlike traditional DNA services, this program is specifically focused on identifying and connecting you directly with living African relatives. By participating, you’ll gain:
Professional Guidance and Support: From identifying genetic connections to exploring genealogical ties, the TAKiR research team will manage every aspect of the process.
Deepening Your Understanding of Your Ancestry: Access a comprehensive analysis of your ancestral connections, specifically focused on the African diaspora.
Making Meaningful Connections: TAKiR will facilitate introductions to your newly discovered living relatives, fostering relationships that enrich your understanding of your heritage.
By joining, you’re participating in a pioneering initiative aimed at restoring family histories and reconnecting families across generations.
Avenue 1: AncestryDNA Match
Getting Started
Eligibility and Enrollment: To participate through this avenue, you must be at least 18 years old, reside in the United States, and have taken a DNA test with AncestryDNA that matches a profile managed by TAKiR. If you meet these criteria, you can enroll in the project by creating an account on our website and providing informed consent.
DNA Profile Upload and Preliminary Analysis: Once enrolled, you will be asked to upload your raw DNA profile from AncestryDNA. Our research team will then conduct a preliminary analysis to determine if you share DNA segments with our Ghanaian participant database. This initial analysis will help us identify potential genetic relatives and estimate genetic genealogies.
DNA Testing: If the preliminary analysis reveals that you share DNA segments with our Ghanaian participants, we will invite you to provide a saliva sample for further testing. We will mail you a DNA collection kit with instructions on how to safely collect and return your sample. Your saliva sample will be processed at the Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where the DNA will be extracted and genotyped.
What's Next?
After step three, the process looks the same across all avenues of participation. To learn more, see the For All Avenues section of this page.
Avenue 2: Illinois Resident
Getting Started
Eligibility and Enrollment: To participate through this avenue, you must be a resident of Illinois, be at least 18 years old, and identify as a person of African descent. If you meet these criteria, you can enroll in the project by creating an account on our website and providing informed consent.
DNA Testing: Upon enrollment, we will mail you a DNA collection kit with instructions on how to safely collect and return your saliva sample. Your sample will be processed at the Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where the DNA will be extracted and genotyped.
African Relatedness Analysis: Using the genotype data obtained from your DNA sample, our research team will conduct analyses to determine your genetic relatedness to reference populations and living African individuals. You will receive basic information about your African ancestry and potential connections to specific regions or communities.
What's Next?
After step three, the process looks the same across all avenues of participation. To learn more, see the For All Avenues section of this page.
Avenue 3: Invited Genetic Relatives
Getting Started
Eligibility and Enrollment: If you have been identified as a potential genetic relative of an existing TAKiR participant, you may be invited to participate in the project to help infer a multigenerational genetic family tree. To be eligible, you must be at least 18 years old and reside in the United States. If you accept the invitation, you can enroll in the project by creating an account on our website and providing informed consent.
DNA Testing: Upon enrollment, we will mail you a DNA collection kit with instructions on how to safely collect and return your saliva sample. Your sample will be processed at the Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where the DNA will be extracted and genotyped.
Genetic Family Tree Analysis: Using the genotype data obtained from your DNA sample, our research team will conduct analyses to determine your genetic relatedness to the existing TAKiR participant and other potential relatives. This information will be used to infer a multigenerational genetic family tree.
What's Next?
After step three, the process looks the same across all avenues of participation. To learn more, see the For All Avenues section of this page.
Avenue 4: Simply Interested in Participating
Getting Started
Eligibility and Enrollment: If you’re simply interested in participating, start by creating an account on the TAKiR website. While anyone can join, qualifying for DNA analysis requires meeting the age requirement of at least 18 years and fitting into one of the following avenues: AncestryDNA Match, Illinois Resident, or Invited Genetic Relative by Researchers.
Avenue Assignment: After creating an account, our team will review your information to determine the most suitable path forward for your participation. This assignment will confirm the pathway that aligns with your eligibility, ensuring you follow the appropriate steps for your genealogical journey. You’ll receive a notification with your designated avenue and detailed next steps. If you were initially assigned to the AncestryDNA avenue but do not currently have any matches within our database, you have the option to opt in to retain your information for potential future matches. Without opting in, your information will not be stored for future matching purposes.
Providing a DNA Sample: Once your pathway is confirmed, we will guide you on how to submit a DNA sample, if applicable. Based on the requirements of your assigned avenue, this may involve receiving a study kit for saliva sample collection or, if eligible, uploading an existing DNA file from an AncestryDNA test. Each avenue has its process for sample submission, and we’ll provide clear instructions to make the process simple.
What's Next?
After step three, the process looks the same across all avenues of participation. To learn more, see the For All Avenues section of this page.
For All Avenues
What's Next?
Genetic Genealogy Analysis: Using the genotype data obtained from your DNA sample, our research team will conduct advanced genetic genealogy analyses. This includes estimating the degree of relatedness between you and other participants, identifying shared ancestral lines, and constructing family trees that span generations. We may also provide insights into your ancestral origins and the historical context of your family's journey.
Social Science Research: In addition to the genetic analyses, the TAKiR project includes a social science component. You may be invited to participate in surveys, interviews, or focus group discussions to share your experiences, perspectives, and the impact of discovering your genetic heritage. This qualitative data will help us understand the social, emotional, and cultural implications of family reunifications and ancestral discoveries.
Accessing Your Results: As the project progresses, you will be able to access your genetic genealogy results through a secure, personalized dashboard on our website. The dashboard will display your estimated genetic relatives, family trees, and other relevant information. You can log in at any time to view your results and explore new discoveries as more participants join the project.
Ongoing Research and Updates: The TAKiR research project is an ongoing endeavor, and as new participants enroll and more data is analyzed, your results may be updated to reflect new findings. We will notify you when significant updates are available and provide resources to help you interpret and contextualize the information.
Throughout the research project, your privacy and data security are our top priorities. We adhere to strict ethical guidelines and employ advanced security measures to protect your personal and genetic information. You can find detailed information about our data practices in our Privacy Statement.
By participating in the TAKiR research project, you are contributing to a groundbreaking effort to bridge historical gaps, reconnect families, and shed light on the enduring impact of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Together, we can uncover the stories of our ancestors and forge new connections across continents and generations.
If you have any questions about the research project or how it works, please don't hesitate to contact our research team at contact@takir.org.