Title: Belonging: A Genealogy of the Akinyemi Family Through Six Generations
Author: Dr. John Ayoola Akinyemi
Publisher: Eagle Literary
ISBN: 979-8348534912
Pages: 54
Genre: Memoir / Family History / Genealogy
Reviewer: Ephantus M.

Read Book Review

There’s a Yoruba proverb shared early on in Belonging: A Genealogy of the Akinyemi Family Through Six Generations that says, ‘A child who has never seen another farm thinks his father’s is the largest in the world.’ With those tender words, Dr. John Ayoola Akinyemi, a retired educator gently leads the reader on a heartfelt and deeply personal journey through memory, identity, and legacy that begins in the red earth of Abeokuta, Nigeria, and gradually unfolds across borders, cultures, and generations.

In a rich display of reverence and culture, this book meticulously traces the Akinyemi family lineage across six generations, beginning in the late 18th century in Abeokuta, Nigeria. The story begins with his Great Grandpa Akinyemi, born around 1768 in Totoro, Abeokuta, Nigeria. He and his wife were farmers, grounded in the traditions of the land and though little was known about them in detail, they mark the family’s ancestral origin. Grandpa Akinyemi is believed to be the first in the family to convert from traditional Yoruba religion to Christianity, naming his son David, a biblical name that began a spiritual and cultural shift in the family. The generation later grew with David Aborisade Akinyemi who was born around 1848, and who lived to the age of 100. A farmer like his father, David owned and cultivated several acres of farmland in Ijoko Village, growing cocoa, coffee, and other crops. What follows are generations shaped by the values of those before them. Dr. Akinyemi doesn’t just list some of their names and dates but rather invites readers into the lives behind them, in an effort to show how family is not just bloodline but also about shared memory.

More than just a book of genealogy, this memoir is a love letter to family and a heartfelt invitation to remember, to honor where we come from, and to feel grounded in the shared legacy that connects us, no matter where life takes us. The author takes his time breaking down the meaning behind a bunch of Yoruba names, like Oluwadarasimi which means “God has hastened to bless me with this child” and Adekoyejo, meaning “the one who has gathered all kinds of honor and accolades to surround him.” It’s clear these names weren’t just picked because they sounded nice, but actually came from whatever the family was going through at the time. Maybe they were finally celebrating after a loss, maybe they were just thankful the baby arrived safely, or maybe they were speaking some hope into the child’s future. Whatever it was, the name said it all in just a few words.

Dr. John Ayoola Akinyemi comes across as someone who really loves his family and cares deeply about where they come from. You can tell he’s on a mission to make sure their story doesn’t get lost and he does that by putting together this incredibly detailed family history that goes back six generations. He writes like someone telling stories around the dinner table, with warmth, honesty, and a real sense of respect for the people he’s talking about.

Belonging: A Genealogy of the Akinyemi Family Through Six Generations though widely researched, doesn’t feel heavy or academic at all. Dr. John Ayoola Akinyemi keeps the writing warm and easy to follow and so one doesn’t need to be a genealogy expert to enjoy it. Whether you are part of his family and just want to know more about your roots, there’s something in it for you and reading it might be what you just need to start thinking about your own family’s lineage or the places and people that made you.  Belonging is a gift to every reader who has ever wondered where they come from. Dr. Akinyemi’s storytelling transforms names and dates into living history, inviting us to find ourselves in the unfolding of his family’s journey.