INTRODUCTION

Our roots run deep — and sometimes, in unexpected directions. Genealogy is more than a record of names and dates; it is a map of movement, memory, survival, and connection. For African American families, tracing lineage means confronting gaps, silences, and the lasting scars of displacement. But it also means reclaiming what was lost, and reshaping the story in our own voice.

Our roots run deep — and sometimes, in unexpected directions. Genealogy is more than a record of names and dates; it is a map of movement, memory, survival, and connection. For African American families, tracing lineage means confronting gaps, silences, and the lasting scars of displacement. But it also means reclaiming what was lost and reshaping the story in our own voice.

In this section, we pair traditional family research with DNA analysis to uncover and affirm the many threads of the Meehan family line. From oral history to archival records, from shared surnames to shared segments of genetic code, every detail brings us closer to the truth of who we are — and who we’ve always been.

These pages are designed to inform the curious, to share genetic findings with others engaged in family research, and to serve as a springboard for those just beginning their journey. Whether you’re a seasoned genealogist or taking your first steps, we hope this space inspires, connects, and guides you forward.

FAMILY TREE & LORE

Explore the branches of the Meehan family tree alongside the stories, traditions, and lived experiences that bring it to life.

NOTES & ASSOCIATED TREES

A growing collection of research notes, collaborative trees, and extended family connections — shared to support and inspire deeper inquiry.

MEEHAN-FREEMAN-ANDERSON FAMILIES & DNA

Genetic insights into Charles and Hester’s lineage, revealing unexpected origins and deepening our understanding of who they were.

BOSWELL-HANDSOR FAMILIES & DNA

Genetic insights into the DNA of families from endogamous communities.

SURNAMES & SHARED DNA & MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

A look at the surnames that appear across our DNA matches, and what they might tell us about migration, kinship, and ancestral links.