ABOUT

Background

This project is geared towards a particular cultural group known as the Cape Coloured in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Unlike other DNA projects around the world, our project is different in that we can not always use surnames to track our lineage (such as Adams, Jacobs) as surnames were given during slavery by the colonizers upon arrival to Cape Town in the late 1600's. We considered naming it a regional project, such as to include all of the Western Cape, but then we realized the vast diversity within this region thus we needed to narrow it down more. We then took the name of our project to our pioneering participants, who are part of a film project called 'I'm Not Black, I'm Coloured - Identity Crisis at the Cape of Good Hope'. They agreed that for this particular project we should name it after the specific cultural group that was located in the 'birthplace' of the Coloured people. Hence the name The Cape Coloured DNA Project. Referring to Cape Town and it's Coloured community. However, it was important to our participants that we make it clear that the project is open to anyone who wishes to participate.

For most South Africans (Xhosa, Zulu, Europeans, East Indians, Asians) they have had the pleasure and privilege of knowing their long ancestral lineage and their homeland roots. But for the Cape Coloured and other Coloured South Africans this has been a huge mystery. And even today in some situations this is held against them. As they say 'caught in the middle', not black enough, not white enough, a man without a homeland, they continue to live in the shadows of Apartheid. Like other slave colonies around the world, the slaves mixed with other cultures whether they were natives, slaves from other countries and/or European colonizers. in many cases, they did not mix with other races yet they were still classified Coloured. And during their time of bondage many ancestral truths were kept secret due to rape, false reclassifications, racial hatred and more.

When first organizing this project we asked ourselves does this testing matter? will it change anything in the here and now? we are all one race aren't we? doesn't this project and testing feel like yet another apartheid, like back in the 50's when they tested the grade of our hair? when they tested the size of our noses? when they compared us to the color of a brown paper bag? are we again separating ourselves from the others? And in all honesty the answer is yes to all of them. However, this time it is your choice to be tested and the results will be revealed under a completely different foundation. The foundation of truth.

Until one truly understands the complexities of the history of the Cape Coloured, will they understand the importance of this ancestral project. Will DNA change lives and the issues of today? Probably not. But when facing these issues and moving into the future one can now have a sense of where they came from and begin to embrace the beautiful diversity that exists in all human beings.

OUR TEAM

Project Founder/Administrator - Kiersten Chace (USA)
- For 14 years Kiersten has been actively involved in Coloured communities across South Africa. For more info go to www.capecoloured.ning.com
- She is Executive Producer of the film 'I'm Not Black, I'm Coloured' and will oversee and management this DNA project.
- Member of ISOGG

African DNA Expert - Dr. Ana Oquendo Pabon, MD
- Charter member of the International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG)
- Co-founder of the Puerto Rican DNA Project & the Children of African DNA Project
- Founder of the Amerind mtDNA Project
- Co Founded the Casa de España DNA Project and Sepharad en Puerto Rico       DNA Project and administrator of many surname projects

European DNA Expert - Alice Fairhurst
- Charter member of the International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG)
- Founder of DNA Projects for four Scottish Clans, three English surnames, and one Irish surname

GOALS

In various parts of South Africa (particularly in the Western Cape) searching for ancestral information has been nearly impossible. With very little recorded documentation of births and /or deaths the walls that separate the present from knowing the past seem at times too high to climb and to thick to penetrate. Until now.

Through DNA testing there is hope in finding that elusive ancestor or that uncertain tribal connection. What would otherwise take a lifetime to find through paper trails and public records, is now reachable with in a few short years by a simple test.

As your test results are returned, you will be faced with a series of what seems like meaningless markers and numbers and letters. We would not expect the average person to understand how to interpret this information thus we have set some goals and standards for this project so that it will be a meaningful experience for everyone involved. Our goals are:

1) Through the knowledge of our DNA experts - to help give direction and meaning when participants receive their DNA results.

2) To communicate and share our knowledge.

3) To see our project create a purpose other than just a curiosity.

4) To diminish the intimidation and uneasiness some may feel when DNA testing.

5) To connect with relatives who hold that other piece of our own puzzle.

6) To find others who hold the key to the common link to a region or area where our ancestors may have once lived.

7) To help provide articles, literature and other resources to further understand genetic genealogy.

8) To promote the importance of sharing and participating in projects such as ours.

9) To have a public database repository of mtDNA and yDNA results for the Cape Coloured community and other Coloured communities around South Africa.

10) To encourage participants to embrace their new found knowledge of their ancestry and begin the process of healing and moving forward.

The following are NOT our goals:

1) To use the results for the purpose of being divisive between cultural groups.

2) To determine tribal ancestry for any land or monetary gain.

3) To exclude any cultural group or person from testing.

HISTORY

This project started in October 2007 during the pre-production of the documentary film 'I'm Not Black, I'm Coloured - Identity Crisis at the Cape'   an historical documentary film about the Cape Coloured community of Cape Town, South Africa. Executive Producer Kiersten Chace (whose sister is a Genetic Genealogist) consulted all of the cast members, which included community leaders, pastors, college students, social workers, teachers etc... and asked them whether or not a DNA ancestry project like this, would be of value to them personally and of value to their community. And each one answered with a resounding yes. With these affirmations and support a series of events took place that has birthed our unique project. And below are a series of events that have led to the success of this project.  

November 5, 2007 -
While vacationing in Tucson Arizona USA, Kiersten was introduced to Alice Fairhurst who is with ISOGG (Int'l Society of Genetic Genealogists). While discussing the premise of the documentary film, Alice realized how beneficial a DNA project would be not just for the film but for the community as a whole and should be a long term commitment to helping find their ancestral heritage. Alice joined the project as our European DNA expert. Her expertise will be of enormous help to the project.

November 10, 2007 -
Alice immediately contacted Dr. Ana Oquendo Pabon, a true pioneer in African and Puerto Rican DNA testing, and is of African descent as well. Her DNA markers indicate a close connection with the Khoisan Group of people which is predominant in the southwest region of Southern Africa. Dr. Ana joined the project as our African DNA expert. We are blessed to have her on board.

November 20, 2007 -
Both Alice and Dr. Ana have their own DNA projects which they are a part of and they use one of the world's best DNA testing companies called Family Tree DNA. They were certain that if we contacted the Founder and CEO of Family Tree DNA (Bennett Greenspan) and told him about this unique project in Cape Town South Africa that he would support us in the first set of testing kits. Mr. Greenspan graciously donated the first set of DNA tests to get our DNA project started. We are humbled by his gracious donation.

November 21, 2007 -
Next we had to decide on a Project Name. When deciding what name we should call this project we had to consider many things.  We recognize that there are coloured communities all across South Africa and ALL ARE WELCOME to join our special project. We chose the DNA project name to be Cape Coloured as Cape Town was the birthplace of the Coloured community in South Africa. This is where the slaves first sailed into port. This is where District Six once stood. We wanted to celebrate this beautiful, rich, diverse community that since the late 1600's has endured so much. Thus we give special recognition to the Cape Coloured community and all coloured communities across South Africa.

December 5, 2007 -
We introduced the project to William Diedericks and his wife Desiree. With great excitement about the potential benefits to their community joined as our South African DNA co-administrators.

December 10, 2007 -
The DNA Project LOGO was finished. Antoni Commodore of 116designs.com (who has spent time in the Coloured townships of Cape Town) created our logo which portrays through specific colors (brown, black, white) and through design (the DNA tree) the Coloured community and their search for ancestral identity. The brown strand stands central and is at the core of South Africa's rich history. The foundation/trunk being the DNA strand and how it will be able to fill in the ancestral gaps. And the  branches are the family tree placeholders which stand empty at this time. For each 'pioneering' participant whose results are posted we will add their kit# and/or name in to the place holders starting from the center. (42 in all) To create the beginnings of a community family tree.

December 15, 2007 -
Our first set of 10 kits were shipped to South Africa and our first participant Mr. B. Adams of Cape Town was the very first to test. DNA Test results will be coming in around mid February 2008. 

May 15, 2007 -
Traveled to South Africa to finish filming. At the end of the filming we delivered the cast and crew their personal Genetic DNA results. The response to their results was all across the board, some happy, some confused, some sad. But what is exciting is that an organization in Atlantis, South Africa is setting up a trust account to begin furthering this project. To assist their community in finding out the truth about their identity.

February 05, 2009 -
Film is released. 25 participants in the DNA project thus far.