The following is a press release from WikiTree:

April 2, 2025 – WikiTree, the free, community-driven genealogy platform, has reached a groundbreaking milestone: 500,000 interconnected African-American family members. It is the largest public free database of connected African-American families.

This achievement reflects the ongoing dedication of thousands of genealogists, volunteers, and researchers who are working together to connect Black families across generations and break through historical barriers in research caused by slavery, migration, and record loss.

“When we started the US Black Heritage Project in 2020, I had no idea we would come this far this quickly,” said project leader Emma MacBeath, “but thanks to the help of all of WikiTree, we've not only met all of our goals, but far exceeded them. What this database means to us is easy access to accurate family tree information for all descendants. It means reconnecting many families in a tree who haven't been connected for many generations.”

The US Black Heritage Project has an extraordinary offer: volunteers will help any African-American research their family tree.