Join us for the next Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies’ Spotlight Talk featuring Dr Chamion Caballero and Dr Sophie Kay of The Mixed Museum, a digital museum exploring Britain’s multiracial histories. A recording of the talk will be available for 2 weeks after the event.

Be aware that this talk addresses a number of sensitive themes including racism, adoption and misattributed parentage.

The “Brown Babies’” Experiences of DNA Testing: When Science, History and People Meet

Searching for a parent or grandparent via DNA testing brings a multitude of technical and emotional challenges. Yet for those from perceived ‘racially mixed’ backgrounds, this genealogical journey may also be interwoven with complex social histories.

Join us to examine the history of the “Brown Babies”– a term coined by the African American press in the 1940s to describe the children born to Black GIs and white British women during and after WW2. We’ll explore an ongoing project by The Mixed Museum (https://mixedmuseum.org.uk/) which supports the “Brown Babies” on their journeys to identify their fathers or grandfathers using genetic testing; discuss the genetic genealogy hurdles which some of the group have encountered; and see how members of marginalised or trauma-affected communities might navigate this process.

Blending science, history and questions of identity, this session is for anyone who’s asking not just how we go about searching for our ancestors, but how we can bring social and cultural understanding to the fore to support others through that journey.

Chamion Caballero

Dr. Chamion Caballero is Director and co-founder of The Mixed Museum, an award-winning digital museum exploring Britain’s multiracial histories. She holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Bristol where she also worked in the School of Education. A former Reader at London South Bank University, she has held fellowships at the London School of Economics, Goldsmiths, University of London, and the Independent Social Research Foundation. Her research with Peter Aspinall on Britain’s mixed-race history informed the BBC2 series Mixed Britannia, and she continues to connect academic research with public storytelling through innovative digital projects.

Sophie Kay

Dr. Sophie Kay is a professional genealogist at Khronicle® (www.khronicle.co.uk) and obtained her D.Phil. in Systems Biology from the University of Oxford in 2015. She’s the Ancestry and Genealogy Expert for archaeology show, Time Team; the Scientist-in-Residence for The Mixed Museum; and a frequent contributor to Family Tree Magazine, authoring their ‘Research Skills Workbooks’ in 2024 and 2026. A member of both AGRA and APG, Sophie tackles DNA and archival challenges for private clients and public organisations.