Anyone ever feel like the odd one outin your family?

Deb wrote: “Anyone ever feel like the “odd one out”in your family?”

All the time my sister, all the time.

Unfortunatly the genealogy community is generally too busy trying to tie ancestors to the Mayflower or the Revolution to take an interest in tha same things you or I would hold dear. God forbid we should be one of the ones in our family thats looks none like our Indian ancestors and claim it. God forbid that we find Indians in almost every line we research. It is fascinating that out of 100 family researchers, you may find only a handful researching their Native ties. It can be frustrating when that handful is spread out so far from one another. We become an anchor to our families past and some revile it and some celebrate it. Keep on truckin and know that many out here support your efforts.

know the feeling of being the odd 1! to me that means i’m someone special!

Hey Deb, well I think that this maybe something that all researchers usually share in.

I have researched my family since about 1977-78 and although I do take a break it has proven well out.

Besides the gen, research I have a background in Native American Art/ History, the rest of my family although many tyed to our history and connect well in the NAtive community very few of them have taken the time to explore.

With an artful heart and mind, the products of my hands have often been sought after.

One funny story is that a niece of mine was introduced to her hubby’s friend who went on and on about Native art and artist often brining up my name and stating that he owned several items that I had made.! ( I have never met this man).

My niece was a bit shoked and said that I was her uncle, to say the least his responce was enough to help her see that what I was doing for the better part of my life was “kinda Cool” anyway, I think that she may take a second look at how she see’s our family and it’s members now, and maybe I may not be so far out to lunch after all.

It was worth a real chuckle and the first time I wanted to really “hi five ” what I have been striving to do for so long was to put some pride back into my family through the art that really comes from my heart but comes through me from those that have all came and gone before us.

In short take pride in what you do and who you are, and the world will to, even if it takes a bit for your relatives to catch up!

Hi guys…..yes, I know the feeling. I guess my aunt does too. She introduced me to the genealogy circuit ’round about 2001/02. She’s been doing it for about 20+ years. It’s hard for me to believe that I actually used to HATE history…..how boring. But now doing family history, it’s so exciting to me…especially when I learn something new. My sisters usually go “Oh, Lord” :rolleyes: when my aunt and I get to talking….which would be for hours and hours. My dad’s usually the one who finds the “precious” bits of info that I’d be looking for…and that’s about it for him. But all our family have always embrace the native in us, because it’s factual. You can see it in our ancestors. I’ve gotta post some pics on here.

The part I love the most is getting new names and interesting oral history from my grandmother and grandaunts about the old days. We are more native at heart than we believe. I share my love for all things native along with you guys!

Oh, Tom….I’d love to purchase some of your beautiful products. I’ll look in the material section…….nm. As usual….I type on and on and on….:p

Hello, Odd One.

Out of Four kids, only one has refused to recognize his Indian heritatage. My older brother is heavily invested in being mainstream. He is a person who is easily influenced by outside forces.

The rest of us know about it, and honor it.

regards,

Lynne