Lineage: Genealogy & the Power of Connection in Early America

This is a virtual event. Tickets are $15 for the live event and video recording; $48 with pre-ordered signed book ($35 retail) sent Priority Mail in the US (Media Mail in Massachusetts). Please visit here to register.

In 18th-century America, genealogy was more than a simple record of family ties—it was a powerful force that shaped society. In Lineage, Karin Wulf delves into an era when individuals, families, and institutions meticulously documented their connections in family records, cultural artifacts, and court documents. Whether created by enslaved individuals seeking freedom or founding fathers seeking status, these materials demonstrate the culturally and historically specific nature of genealogical interest. The legacy of lineage from the colonial period continued to shape the early United States, underscoring the enduring importance of family connections. 

Join us for a conversation between Karin Wulf and Pulitzer Prize winner Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, as they discuss Lineage and genealogy as a foundational element of American history, illuminating its vital role from the colonial era through the birth of the nation.