Remember When: James Earl Jones and his role in ‘Roots’

Is genealogy America’s most popular hobby?

Some say it is, though figures vary. Gardening, reading, exercising and other pastimes are often cited as ranking ahead of genealogy on the popularity charts. But, does ranking matter? It’s obvious that more people are doing genealogy – as well as talking, studying and writing about it – than was the case just a few generations ago.

Because of a recent news story, this is a good time to take a look at just what has brought genealogy to its current high level of popularity.

That news story was the death of actor James Earl Jones, who played many roles over the years. To genealogists, though, he was the fellow who portrayed author Alex Haley in the 1977 TV miniseries “Roots.”

Based on Haley’s book, that production told the story of Haley’s long and successful search for an ancestry that began with a kidnapping by slave traders in Africa and wound through decades of slavery in the American south to Haley’s own experience as a coast guardsman and author.

How popular was the miniseries? Forty-seven years after it ran, and excluding Super Bowls, the penultimate episode of “Roots” still ranks in the Nielsen ratings system’s all-time top 10 TV shows for viewership.

In other words, the miniseries was a smash hit. Before long, Americans galore were talking and writing about starting a search for their own “roots.” In fact, thanks to the miniseries, the very word “roots” grew synonymous with genealogy.

Perhaps it is a chicken-and-egg situation, but modern interest in genealogy has also coincided with an amazing list of events and resources that make tracing ancestors easier and more precise.

The Internet: The development of online culture has enabled genealogists to access faraway sources of information and databases of all kinds that once required slow and laborious exchange of letters and information. As time goes on, more and more resources ranging from centuries-old government paperwork through historic documents to maps and charts are now available by a keystroke or two. The development of email has helped speed things up as well.

DNA testing: While the structure of DNA was unlocked by scientists well back in the 20th century, the rise of companies offering kits that can test an individual’s DNA and construct maps and linkages to those who share it is a product of recent years.

Want to get separate reports for your maternal and paternal lines? There are DNA tests too that. Want a test that zeroes in on a particular part of the world? You can get one. Want lots of cousins, however slight the linkage? There they are. Costs vary, but they are affordable.

FamilySearch: The public genealogical project of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, offers an array of free online talks and seminars by experts at its annual RootsWeb event and online. It also makes its own vast genealogical holdings available online and at its chain of libraries and satellites.

There are also very good membership-based and subscription-based organizations such as newspapers.com and ancestry.com that offer everything from archival materials to DNA tests.

Genealogical societies: As interest in genealogy grew all through the last decades of the 20th century, genealogy clubs developed all over America, some with extensive local and regional archives. Public libraries and regional historical societies have likewise expanded their holdings.

Old standbys: We can’t forget the earliest major attempts to open avenues to genealogists, among them World Genweb and Cyndi’s List.

Nearly a half century later, “Roots” still has an impact.

Tom Mooney is a Times Leader history and genealogy writer. Reach him at tommooney42@gmail.com.