What is the importance of genealogy in the nonfiction book, Wandering in Strange Lands?

The concept of genealogical and the practice of genealogical research are central to this book’s ideas and methodologies. Jerkins researches her own ancestors, as well as the more general genealogical trends in relation to Black Americans. Ultimately, Jerkins uses genealogy to demonstrate the interconnectedness of history, and the inherent connections between groups of people.