Obviously we can't be guilty of something we haven't done yourself, or contributed to someone else doing. So when we say sorry for something our parents did, or our ancestors or our predecessors, we aren't doing the same thing as we are when we say sorry for something we have done ourselves.

But we do tend to have a certain solidarity with those who came before us, and that is demonstrated when people express pride at things they did - at their courage,their resilience, whatever. If we feel entitled or even honour-bound to do that, that implies that we should have some equivalent solidarity in expressing sorrow for the evil things they were responsible for, and should be ready to offer some kind of proxy apology on their behalf.

Apologies and ride - the two stand or fall together.

(All this is a separate matter from something that often gets confused with it - the notion that if we are benefitting today from the proceeds of crimes carried out by our ancestors, our right to do so is open to question.)