The search for family history can be complicated for many African Americans. Slavery's devastating legacy stripped family stories away from black Americans.

As the United States commemorates the 400th anniversary of the landing of the first Africans to Virginia, we're still grappling with slavery's impact. 

“Knowing where you come from is so important. Our journey to where we are today is not a straight line. It’s full of pain, and intrigue, and laughter, and it’s a mixed bag," says Terry E. Brown, superintendent of Fort Monroe National Monument. "What I thought we were, is not exactly where we came from."

USA TODAY is asking readers to share what they know about their family history with our journalists in 2019.