o Who Counts as an Ancestor? Technological Advancement, Documentary Evidence, and Changing Genealogical Standards in American Lineage Societies, 1970 – 2020

This thesis examines the transformation of American genealogical research and participation in lineage societies from 1970 to 2020. The study revealed how a practice once dominated by elite social circles evolved into a cultural institution that maintains significant barriers to full public participation. This study, conducted through mixed-methods research that included surveys, interviews, and case studies of two major heritage organizations, uncovered paradoxes in genealogical studies related to these organizations. Despite technological democratization and inclusive rhetoric following the success of Alex Haley's Roots, genealogical practice has become increasingly stratified, creating new forms of exclusion even as it promises universal access to family history.