Latest Essays
View all →
DNA Testing for Polynesian Genealogy Workshops
Ethical considerations of DNA testing include the potential impact on family relationships and privacy. Jane shared advice on how to handle the discovery of family secrets and the importance of being prepared for such revelations. She emphasized the need for open communication an

Overview: Samoan Family History and Genealogy Challenges, Opportunities
Like many in the Samoan diaspora, I first encountered pieces of my family history in fragments. I heard the name of my mother's village. Relatives would be introduced and stories shared at church and family gatherings. I knew the songs and dances held more meaning than the music around me growing up in San Diego — but I was shy to ask, and the pieces never quite formed a whole. Over time, those fragments became questions. Genealogy became my way of working to bring them together.

Traditional Samoan tattoos and why they're important to us
While tattooing originated centuries before the Pacific Islands were even populated, tatau - the Samoan tattoo artform - has been practiced from the beginning of Samoan history and carries a rich, com...
Search Samoan Resources
Academic papers, cultural documents, books, and historical records — all in one place.
Try: , , ,


