The Void: Using Arts-Based Autoethnography to Grapple with Genealogy and the Epistimicide of “Official Family Trees” in the Wake of the United States Census

Key Points

• This research explores the intersection of genealogy and arts-based autoethnography to reveal hidden family histories.
• Utilized arts-based autoethnography to analyze family narratives and archival research.
• Investigated family heritage connected to indentured servants from 1629.
• Examined the impact of 'official family trees' provided by census data.
• Identified lineage traced back to 5 African indentured servants in 1629.
• Demonstrated how conventional genealogical methods may overlook significant family histories.
• Highlight the role of personal narratives in understanding genealogical records.