WHEN DID BLACK AMERICANS BECOME DIFFERENT FROM NATIVE AFRICANS?
Most say black Americans became unrelated from their Native African counterparts on July 9, 1868, when the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was adopted.
Some say the difference began before 1868 because of Blacks already in America before colonization. Others say black Americans gradually became differentiated to Native Africans at some point between when the first slaves arrived in 1619 to 1868.
Slaves also mixed with people of African descent who were already in America before colonization, which caused an ethnogenesis. Further distinguishing Black Americans from Native Africans. Making them distinctive by lineage and culture.
"Where your ancestors are buried, that's where your homeland is."
How long does it take for someone to become your ancestor?
A person becomes your ancestor the moment they become your parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, and so on, extending back through all previous generations. In essence, anyone from whom you descend is considered your ancestor. While all your relatives, including those in closer generations like parents and siblings, can be considered part of your family lineage, the term "ancestor" is most commonly used to describe those in generations older than your great-great-grandparents.
Direct Lineage:
Your direct ancestors are your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and so on, each generation further back in your family tree.
Relative vs. Ancestor:
While all ancestors are relatives, not all relatives are ancestors. For example, your cousins are relatives, but not direct ancestors.
Generational Count:
Each step back in your family tree adds another generation. Your parents are one generation back, your grandparents are two generations back, and so on.
Common Ancestors:
It's important to remember that everyone alive today shares common ancestors from the distant past.
No Specific Timeframe:
There isn't a specific amount of time that must pass for someone to become an ancestor. It's simply a matter of their place in your family tree, and that place is determined by birth order and lineage.
GOOGLE: Were people of African descent in America before colonization?