10 Facts You May Not Know About Charleston, S. C.’s Ancestors’ Reburial Events

Why are we having Ancestral Reburial Events

In 2013, 36 people were unearthed under the old Gillard Auditorium in downtown Charleston, S.C. These men, women and children were all buried between the years 1750 and 1800. Some of these ancestors were born in Africa and some were born here in South Carolina. It is now time to rebury them with dignity, honor, love and respect.

Who Were these ancestors

According to the TheGullahSociety..com website:

Forensic anthropologist Dr. Suzanne Abel studied the human remains and determined that the individuals are of African descent. Dr. Chelsey Juarez conducted isotope analysis. Levels of isotopes in teeth and bone samples vary depending on the food we eat and the water that we drink. They are used to examine where a person lived as a child and where they lived during their last 5-10 years of life. The results of the isotope analysis indicated that nineteen of the thirty-six people buried near Anson Street were born in West or Central Africa, while one person was born in the Caribbean. Nine people were born in South Carolina and samples from eight individuals did not provide isotopic data.

1st of Its Kind Study

The study of the 36 ancestors found in Charleston is the 1st analysis of its kind for genetic diversity of descendants of the mid to late 18th Century African and Africans living in Charleston, S.C.

National Geographic Society Helped Funding

National Geographic Society also got involved in this project and funding was awarded to determine if these 36 ancestors were related to each other. In addition, 80 people living in Charleston, S.C. were chosen to receive free DNA testing in order to learn about their genetic history.

Charleston Residents Were Able To Participate

The University of Pennsylvania, The College of Charleston, alongside the National Geographic Society will be taking the DNA of the 36 ancestors and some of the lucky participants from Charleston whose DNA was a part of this study, in an effort to see if there are any similarities or links in the ancestral DNA and the current Charleston residents.

There are a series of events planned between April 27 and May 5 to celebrate and recognize our 36 ancestors.

The Naming Ceremony is the 1st event marking the reinterment of the 36 ancestors. No maps, records or names have been found marking this burial place or these 36 individuals. This ceremony will celebrate all we do know about these ancestors; they will be named based on the results of the DNA study. This event will be held April 27th.

The DNA Ancestry Report event is a talk with Raquel Fleskes and Dr. Theodore Schurr from the University of Pennsylvania. They will be getting into the details of the results of the DNA analysis of the 36 ancestors. This event will be held May 2nd.

The Ancestors’ Reburial event will be held on May 4th. This will truly be a home-going celebration, complete with drums and song as a procession is held through the streets of downtown Charleston, S.C.. The community will have this time to pay respects to the ancestors.

The Sunday Ecumenical Service will be held at St. John’s Reformed Episcopal Church. At this event, attendees will remember the past and reflect on a positive future of reconciliation, justice, and racial equity.