Illinois family roots pilot program invites community to reclaim ancestry
By Jasmine Chameis
Click here for updates on this story
CARBONDALE, Illinois (WSIL) — History isn’t just written in books, it lives in families, memories, and sometimes, in the very DNA that connects generations. That powerful idea takes center stage at the Carbondale Public Library, which is hosting a Community DNA Collection & Information Session for the Illinois Family Roots Pilot Program. It’s a groundbreaking effort designed to help residents reconnect with their ancestry.
The public is invited to this three-hour event, where participants can learn how science and storytelling intersect to restore chapters of history long separated by time, migration, and systemic erasure. The program uses DNA testing paired with genealogical research to help Illinois residents trace ancestral roots and rebuild family narratives that stretch far beyond state lines and sometimes across oceans.
During the session, attendees will hear an overview of the Illinois Family Roots Pilot Program, ask questions, and, if they choose, provide a DNA sample on site with the guidance of trained team members. Free DNA kits will be available to eligible Illinois participants, removing financial barriers to what organizers call a journey of reclamation and remembrance.
For many African American families, traditional genealogical records are fragmented or missing altogether due to slavery, segregation, and displacement. Organizers say this initiative helps turn those historical gaps into bridges, allowing descendants to reclaim names, places, and legacies once obscured.
The event will take place at the Carbondale Public Library, located at 405 W. Main Street, with parking available on W. Monroe Street. The program is free and open to the public, welcoming anyone interested in learning how DNA can help illuminate the past and empower the future.
Those seeking additional details can visit the Carbondale Public Library’s website for more information on the Illinois Family Roots Pilot Program.
Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.