INITIAL REPORT
An upcoming program will explore how we may find ourselves brothers and sisters to more people across the world than we ever imagined.
The Global Education and Peace Network’s Speaker Series “Sharing our Roots: Finding Our Stories and Connections in our DNA and Genealogy” program will delve into the roots part especially with a variety of personal stories and resources at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12 in room 105 of Wittenberg University’s Shouvlin Center.
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The program is free. Samina Ahmed and Jerry Laub are the lead presenters. The program will teach participants about DNA connections to others worldwide and feature participant stories of DNA and genealogy experiences.
“It’s important for everyone to know where their roots come from,” said Ahmed.
The popularity of genealogy programs has piqued many people’s curiosity about their family histories. There is a local outlet that can help with this for no cost.
Special guest Cathy Hackett, a reference librarian with the Clark County Public Library, will share the various resources available right here in the community. The library has free print and online resources for anyone interested in genealogical research, and she’ll also discuss the Fisher Family Library and Archives, which also have local history and genealogy information.
Ahmed said knowing their lineage was very important for Muslims and they were proud to know. Research into her own roots surprised Ahmed, and she thinks others may be as well.
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As these programs are also interactive, attendees will be able to share their own experiences with genealogy and family history. This seemed a natural area for the Speakers Series to explore.
“There is a global impact as we are multi-cultural and nice to see how everybody fits in through our multiple nationalities,” said Ahmed. “We teach we are all one and are finding our feelings are very similar.”
The monthly Speaker Series is in its 18th season with the theme of “Sharing our Roots: Growing Springfield Together.” For more information, go to springfieldohio.gov/global-education or contact Nancy Flinchbaugh at 937-324-7696.
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