- This topic has 24 voices and 35 replies.
-
Posts
-
I had read that it was illegal for a person to be registered at birth as being Indian in a newsletter from the Applachian American Indians at http://www.aaiwv-ani.org. They have atime line in November’s newsletter and it says that in 1863 when WV became a state until 1965 when the Cicila Rights Acts was passed, that it was then that it was again legal to be registered as Indian on birth records. There may be a few registered as Indians, but it’s probably because they were here when we became a state.
Suncerae;34837 wrote: I had read that it was illegal for a person to be registered at birth as being Indian in a newsletter from the Applachian American Indians at http://www.aaiwv-ani.org. They have atime line in November’s newsletter and it says that in 1863 when WV became a state until 1965 when the Civil Rights Acts was passed, that it was then that it was again legal to be registered as Indian on birth records. There may be a few registered as Indians, but it’s probably because they were here when we became a state.
BTW…There are so many different versions of what happened with Indians in WV that it is hard to know which is accurrate.I am hoping to find the truth someday
The census takers had/have their work cut out for them…then and even now:) Unlike the Piedmont area, Appalachia is to this day full off hollers that can even make the most grounded person loose their bearings. My family, after leaving NC, moved into KY,VA and finally WV…While in KY and VA, they lived along the border, what is known as the Cumberland Peninsula…in the 1900’s they moved into WV, the Monongalia area…still very wild land. My cousin has been a census taker and it is still a challenge for someone who has lived in the area all their lives…imagine how it was for those not native to the area…in a time when many thoroughfares, were no more than a dirt path…makes you think, huh? 🙂 Blessings,
Shirley
Even when cenus takers were around many times they would ask the first house on the street what families were living there (names & ages), which is why you will find many errors in your records. My family and other people that I have spoken too have stated this to me.
This newsletter is from the AAIWV (Appalachin AMerican Indians of West Virginia) and there is a very interesting article in it about the census and why many people have a hard time tracking their ancestry. The AAIWV is recognized by the State of WV. Even today, in this beautiful state, I am still ridiculed for being Indian, or someone asking if I have “a card”…do we ask to see the Irish card? Anyway, back to the newsletter. I think it is worth reading:
http://www.aaiwv-ani.org/page2.html
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
