Does it matter where you come from?

We think of the United States as a nation of immigrants. Most of us trace our ancestors to foreign lands, and many devote great time and resources to searching for our roots. DNA technology has made it possible for people to learn what regions their ancestors came from. For the descendants of enslaved people, these connections are unprecedented. Colonial Williamsburg is a place where people can encounter the Revolutionary story that unites us as Americans. Does our national unity depend on our diverse family stories?