African Americans: How far back can you go in your family tree?

Question:My father is African American with some Afro-Caribbean mixed in and we're trying to trace his roots. On my grandmother's side, we can go back go Georgia in the 1850's but on my grandfather's side we can only go back to Mississippi in the 1890's. Tracing African American genealogy can be challenging because of slavery, admixture, etc. Do you have any advice on how I might be able to learn more about my ancestors? Serious responses only, please. Responses from all posters are of course welcome as long as they relate to the topic. Thanks.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: My father is African American with some Afro-Caribbean mixed in and we're trying to trace his roots. On my grandmother's side, we can go back go Georgia in the 1850's but on my grandfather's side we can only go back to Mississippi in the 1890's. Tracing African American genealogy can be challenging because of slavery, admixture, etc. Do you have any advice on how I might be able to learn more about my ancestors? Serious responses only, please. Responses from all posters are of course welcome as long as they relate to the topic. Thanks.

Its very hard to trace african american roots and seems to be something that can never be done. I myself can not trace my roots far at all it stops at my great grandmother. My grandmother did not know her own grandparents so information did not get passed down about them. History seemed to become a mystery.
I suggest that you look into how Alex Haley traced his roots because it is remarkable how he went back through history and traveled to find his people. He is a great example of how it can be done. Contact people with the same names through discussion boards its a great way to cover territory without having to leave your home!

Continue using the same sound research principles that have gotten you to where you are. All records available in the area that your ancestors lived. I have gotten back to 1790-1800 on both maternal and paternal side.

It depends.

I personally am not African American but I have TONS of friends that are!

My one friend is straight Ghanan. Her parents were born there, grandparents were born there, etc. They can quite far back in their family history. I know they've went back atleast 7 generations or so.

Some of my friends that are not from straight African but are Black can't go very far back in their family tree. Some can only go back about 4-5 generations at the most.