“The most incredible part of it is matching you to other people.”
It’s safe to say we’re all ready for a little adventure in our lives.
Be it big bucket list journeys or staycations to get to know your own hometown, we’re here to celebrate the return of travel, including romantic getaways, family vacations, reunions, and everything in between. And we’re honoring it all with new episodes of our podcast, Let’s Go Together, which highlights how travel changes the way we see ourselves and the world.
Exploring Diverse Travels and Personal Histories
In the first season, our pilot and adventurer host, Kellee Edwards, introduced listeners to diverse globe-trotters who displayed that travelers come in all shapes and sizes and from all walks of life. From the first Black woman to travel to every country on Earth to a man who trekked to Machu Picchu in a wheelchair, we met some incredible individuals. Consequently, in our second season, we are back to introduce you to new people, new places, and new perspectives.
Insights from Genealogist Nicka Sewell-Smith
On this episode of Let’s Go Together, Edwards converses with genealogist Nicka Sewell-Smith, who answers numerous questions regarding tracing family histories through DNA testing and heritage.
“DNA has completely revolutionized genealogy and family history,” Sewell-Smith stated. “There really is no other way to say it. And I’m not even speaking in terms of the percentages or what’s called admixture, where you’re this percent from this location and this percent from that location. While that can be useful, the most incredible part of it is matching you to other people. And as someone who is a descendant of the formerly enslaved who comes from folks who were sold away from their families, it’s the number one way that we can try to reconnect ourselves to the branches of our families that have been completely severed away from each other.”
Taking the First Steps in Genetic Exploration
For those hesitant about diving deep into their genetic makeup and planning a trip around their findings, Sewell-Smith advises taking it slow and staying within your comfort zone.
“I always tell people to do what you’re comfortable with. You should know all the ins and outs or the possible positives and negatives of anything,” Sewell-Smith expressed. “It’s something new, it’s something emerging. That is going to scare people. Therefore, if you don’t feel comfortable, don’t do it.”
However, if you do decide to embark on this journey, Sewell-Smith indicates you may see significant rewards.
“The discoveries that I have made with genetic genealogy, with DNA, there is no way I could’ve made those discoveries in my family history without that,” Sewell-Smith noted. “It was literally the only way I was able to find those things.”
Listen to More Insights
For further insights from Sewell-Smith, tune in to Let’s Go Together, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Player.FM, and wherever podcasts are accessible.
