Asking a person about their family history

[RobJohnson]

I would be interested in your collective opinions.

Is it unacceptable to ask a person about their family history?

This interests me and I ask persons of all races as to their origins and how they came to live where they now live, even their use of the English language and accent.

There is a current news item on a person who has Royal connections and pressed home the question on where a person of colour had their roots, I would hope that this question was based on interest because the questioner had lived in Africa as opposed to any racist slur, but the media is going to town on this.

Given that the vast majority of Americans are the product of immigration would it be regarded as racist to ask a person 'where are your family from' if that was a topic that interested you.