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Hello,
I’m new here.
I am told my GGGrandmother was Blackfoot from the east. Her name was Anna Bird (abt 1835) married to Amos B. Stites. She lists her birth as being in Pennsylvania. Her father was from Vermont. Amos Stites was born in NJ. Anna and Amos were married in Ohio. Their children all have the last name Stites.
The photos I have of her grandchildren all appear very Native American – as did my grandmother.
If anyone is familiar with Birds or Stites families in PA, NJ, VT, OH I would really enjoy your help. I do have some information on the Stites side.
Thank you,
jkbird
Welcome, jkbird.
You might search for your surnames. I think that there are Birds, but I don’t recognize Stites, but then, I don’t know all the surnames here.
Your family route is similar to that of mine.
Techteach
I have a Maude Bird (indirectly) married into my paternal line. I know nothing of her, but it had to be an Ohio marriage. If and when I find out something about her I will let you know.
JKBird,
On the 1870 Union Co., NJ Census, Anna (Bird) Stites, 35, b.Pa., has column 11 marked: “Father of Foreign Birth”.
On the 1880 Somerset Co., NJ Census, her father is listed as b. VT.
On the 1900 Somerset Co., NJ Census, Anna B. Stites, 65, b.Pa (dau Annie/Anna Overland’s family lives with her), Anna’s father is listed as born “Canada East”.
I found no other ‘matches’ for this combination.
At least one of her grandchildren in Summit Co., Ohio, Israel L’s children, were married to Italians (Bragolo family) which may or may not account for a darker complexion.
Israel L. Stites, d. 7 Oct 1930 in Summit Co., Ohio, (Ohio Death Records Index, digital image of original on ancestry.com).
On the 1860 Somerset Co., NJ census, Amos B. and Anna Stites with son Israel L., are living next door to:
Harvey A. BIRD, 42, m, W, farmer, $700, $50, NJ
Jane………….., 43, f, W, NJ (nee: MOORE)
Provey……….., 16, f, W, NJ
Tabitha………., 10, f, W, NJ
John G……….., 79, m, W, NJ (his wife was Lydia Hill, b. abt. 1780 NJ)
A coincidence not to be discarded but I didn’t find a direct relationship.
Bill
Hello Bill,
Thank you so much. I have some of that info but was not aware of a Bragolo connection in Ohio. That is great to know. Isreal has some interesting history as well. I will have to go back to those report and do some more work. Also, I had lost the Bird connection as neighbors so that is so great. The only hint I have on the Blackfoot connection is word of mouth from my Grandmother. I will recheck all those references on the ancestry site.
Is Bird know to be a Blackfoot name? Do you know by any chance?
Thanks so much!
jkbird
Hi Bill,
One other thought about the skin tone, it is not skin tone so much as facial features. In fact one of the photos on the info part of this site looks so much like my grandmother. That’s what make me register here. The descendants of Anna Bird “appear” to have a similar look, high cheek bones, strong brow, dark eyes, strong features. I hope this is not being stereotypical. I will try to scan some in here at a later date.
Thanks again,
jkbird
I’m not aware of any Indian Bird/Burd/Byrd in the particular parts of the country where yours were, but there are in other parts of the south nearby. I don’t know everything and I don’t think any one does for certain. Keep digging.
I have census data for Amos and Anna’s children and some even on their grandchildren for the period from 1860 thru 1930 if you need it.
By the way, did your grandparents stay in Ohio?
Bill
Hi Bill,
I was out of town this week so did not see your note until now. Thank you.
I would love to have the genealogy you have through 1930. I have some, but wonder if you have things I do not.
Ancestry.com has just posted the 1940 Indian census data. I just looked briefly yesterday and see there are lots of Blackfeet with Bird, Burd, etc but I think all are in Montana and in the west. I will have to look more closely there. Perhaps there is another Blackfeet connection.
I so appreciate your help!
jeanne aka jkbird
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