About two years ago, I started paying more attention to my mom’s DNA matches that were displaced or disconnected. I knew these 70+ DNA matches were related on her maternal side, but I didn’t know where exactly. I was fortunate enough to link up with a Bahamian cousin I met online. He was a wealth of information; especially as it pertains to the Bahamas. Very little records are available for descendants of slaves. Science and technology are vital for African-American genealogy research. Since 1986, DNA testing has blazed a trailed for anyone researching genealogy pertaining to the African diaspora.
Originally, I believed the Bahamian connection stemmed from Major Terry Jr. (1878-1939) born in Coffee County, Alabama. As I continued to dig, I discovered that Major Terry’s father was also Sr. Terry (1840-?) and his mother was Caroline (no maiden name). Apparently , Major Terry Sr.’s mulatto or interracial–his was father was of European descent–as would explain a group of white cousins who are all descendants of the same Terry ancestor–Thomas J. Terry Sr. born in Jefferson County, Georgia (1799-1850) deceased in Coffee County, Alabama.
By process of elimination, the Bahamian connection had to come from Caroline (no maiden name). Caroline was my 4th great grandmother and a direct descendant of Elijah Farquaharson (1799-1837). Elijah was my 5th great grandfather born in Mansa Konko, Lower River, Gambia West Africa. He died in Acklins Bahamas.
What is still interesting is Elijah’s route from West Africa to the Bahamas. Perhaps he was used in breeding and his offspring were shipped to different parts of the United States or maybe he is the sibling of one of Caroline’s parents. Nevertheless, I know the biological blood connection is real.
The security guard at my job is Gambian. He said that there is an upcoming festival in Atlanta. Hopefully I will be able to attend and learn more about the culture. We will see…
