[mommanelda]

I am so thankful to have found this group. I have been researching my family tree since I was a teenager. I have an extensive database compiled of my family members. However, when it comes to any Native American Heritage I am at a loss as to how to even go about it, where do I begin? I am hoping that some of you here with more experience can sort of guide me on the path I need to be taking in order to discover if there are any truths to these rumors or not.

Like many families, mine has its share of “rumors” of Native American Ancestry. However, I have been unable to substantiate it with any documentation. I can put several of my family members in the areas where Native Americans were known to have been. My Grandmother swore she was Cherokee. My Aunt says she was Blackfoot? I am posting her picture here (hope this is ok, if not feel free to remove it) I am hoping that maybe you might be able to look at her facial features and tell me what you think as well.

The girl in the picture with her is my Mother. Mothers Daddy was German, thus the reason for her Blonde Hair. My Grandmother, pictured above was Cora Mae WILKEY. Her mother was Rachael ACORD-WILKEY and her father was James Virgil WILKEY. Her Maternal Grandmother was Elizabeth WRIGHT and her Maternal Grandfather was Martin Van Buren ACORD. Now, Elizabeth WRIGHT was born in Davidson County, North Carolina. She first married Preston W. CLICK and they lived in Cocke County, TN area. After he died, the family story has it that she left Cocke County, with her parents Claiton WRIGHT and Anna SNIDER. She had a daughter named Julie Ann CLICK by her first marriage. Elizabeth finally settled in Hamilton County, Illinois where she met and married my great, great grandfather Martin Van Buren ACORD. Her daughter Julie Ann also married into the ACORD family. Martin`s parents were Job Jacob ACORD and Mary Polly HARPER. They were from Ohio and Acords Mountain West Virginia (Monroe County) near Indian Creek. The ACORD men were also dark complected as well.

I would appreciate any thoughts as to how I should proceed and also do you think my Grandmother`s facial features are consistent with Native American Ancestry? 🙂

[Tonio]

Umm. Honestly it’ll be very hard to document Native American ancestry east of the Mississippi if they were not from the 5 AND I QUOTE “civilized” tribes :s

There are steps that you can take, like looking for “mulatto/Molatto” “mestizo” sometimes “Indian” depending on the state, and free person of color. Depending on the complection, the person could be listed as white or negro.

It’s been said that Geography could help, but with the Eastern Siouan tribes you can never really tell. They were moving around since the 1600 and earlier.

As far as apperance, your grandmother kinda looks like my grandfathers cousin from SC 🙂 She was definatly Indian.

[Author]

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