Roots and identity

Discover My Roots

Every family carries a story. Begin your roots journey, explore the Roots Map and keep a private notebook of your discoveries.

Every family carries a story. Wherever you are beginning, you are welcome here.

No account needed. This page does not decide anyone’s ancestry or identity: it helps you find questions, places and resources to explore with your family.

My Roots Journey

What would you like to discover?

Choose as many as you like, or skip.

Is there a country, region, town or community connected to your family?



The map uses today’s countries for orientation only. Peoples, languages and kingdoms did not follow modern borders.

Do you know any languages spoken by your family?


    A language is not the same as a country: many are spoken across borders, and many countries have dozens of languages.

    Is there a family story, name or tradition you would like to explore?


    This text stays in your browser and is never sent to CCAF or anyone else. Please avoid sensitive details, information about living relatives without their permission, and confidential family records.

    The Roots Map

    Choose a country on the map, or search for it below. Each country page shows sourced facts and what CCAF has collected about it, and says plainly when we have nothing yet.


    Map of Africa

    Africa: countries with atlas entries are links Modern country outlines for orientation, with major rivers and lakes. Every country and entry is also listed below the map.
    Has atlas entries Site with a surveyed location Approximate location Territory with disputed status Modern borders shown for orientation only; historical kingdoms, peoples and cultural regions did not follow them. Map data: Natural Earth (public domain).

    Not sure where to begin? That is a fine place to start.

    Many people know only a name, a place, or nothing at all. Roots are found a little at a time, through conversation, curiosity and patience. Here are three gentle first steps.

    1. Write down what you already know. Your full name, your parents’ and grandparents’ names, where they lived. A blank is also information: it tells you what to ask.
    2. Talk to someone older. A parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent or family friend. Ask one simple question, listen, and note the answer.
    3. Look at what the family keeps. Photographs, letters, certificates, a family Bible or Qur’an, cloth, songs. Each can hold a name, a date or a place.

    Questions to begin with

    • Where did my grandparents grow up?
    • What languages were spoken at home when my parents were children?
    • Is there a story about how our family came to live where it lives now?

    Start My Roots Journey Open My Roots Notebook

    My Roots Notebook

    Where your notes are kept
    • Notes are saved only in this browser, on this device (browser “local storage”). They are not sent to CCAF or anyone else, and they are not linked to a Passport.
    • They do not synchronise between devices or browsers.
    • Clearing this site’s data or your browser history, using a private window, or changing browser or device can make them unavailable. Export them to keep a copy.
    • They are not encrypted: anyone using this browser could read them. Do not use a shared computer for sensitive notes.
    • Your notes are personal research notes, not verified history.