Jefferson Research

Robert Jefferson of Indianapolis, Ind., has been my favorite research subject for the past few years. Following his life and those of his family and descendants introduced me to African American genealogy research, and ultimately has taught me a lot. DNA research and contemporary writing shows that Robert was a son of President Thomas Jefferson, but not bySally Hemings, shattering "conventional wisdom" about slavery and slaveholders. American history can be as grotesque as it is impressive.