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Hi. I am Amanda Ray, I have been a member for a while but I had to put things on hold for a little bit. But I’m back and have done a lot more research and been enlightened. My family names, just to re-iterate, are Lynch, Martin, Epps, and Whitmore, and I know there origins for sure. I am also researching Taylor. Haven’t really had any luck with that one. Still trying though.
So, I have been trying to educate myself on my people and I have used different resources to do so. I read a lot on this forum, which I love, and I have also been on Powwows.com, which I must say, is pretty much like throwing yourself in the fire. The issue that I am having is I want to learn about my culture from people, from people who live it and know about it, and who I can sit down with and talk to. The problem is i don’t even know how do that. I don’t want to annoy anyone and I certainly dont want to be called every wannabe in the book for wanting to. I know where my roots are, I just want to get to the core of them. I want to be able to tell my daughter about her history and her ancesters and feel confident in doing so.
So any and all help would be great. Thanks, And just in case it helps my family names more specifically are:
p: Lettie Epps Martin, Brady Martin, James C. Martin, Alice Whitmore, Daffas/Dorfus and RoAnn Epps.(VA and NC)
m: Erasmus and Ida Jones Lynch (Halifax, NC) , and Samuel Taylor. (from the Brunswick Co, VA area)
Hi Amanda I have received a lot of help from the folks on this forum, and I’m very sure there is no one here that will think of you as a wannabe. We are all on a journey to learn about our roots, that have been pretty much erased from written history. Here you will find people who come from the culture you are trying to find, and have the knowledge you seek.
I have always been treated kindly and with generosity here, and no one ever asked my pedigree. What you know in your heart, combined maybe with what Granny told you, is enough. Good luck on your journey.
Threecrows
Thanks Three Crows. The people here are very friendly. That is definately appreciated.
There is a new age wannabe phenomenon going on. I understand the frustrations. It just is unfornutate for the rest of us. The ones who do have strong roots and do not wish to discredit or disrespect anyone. The ones who genueinely just want to learn and appreciate the culture and the traditions.
No one really disrespected me at powwows.com, they are just very weary of everyone new, and I guess with good reason. You can definately not show any weakness or they will rip you to shreds. To each his own!
Oh yes, the wannabe thing. It’s been about twelve years since I went through that trial by fire, and I do feel some bitterness, or just plain irritation at the hypocrisy. It’s just a form of bigotry. All my life I have observed that bigots are just talking about themselves, and holding no one down more than they hold themselves. There was not a single person playing the wannabe game who didn’t have some glaring hole in their own pedigree. It’s just a game to throw suspicion away from yourself. See, if I’m standing on a soapbox, pointing a finger at you, calling you a wannabe, everybody will just assume I’m the real deal, right?
I can see strong Saponi names there, any other tribes in the mix, do you think? As for finding people who still live in the old culture, it’s more a matter of rekindling it. Our people were Anglicized 300 years ago (except for those who made the journey to Six Nations). Anyone who remained behind did so at that price. True, there are some pockets of descendants who had enough numbers to not have to marry out, and some have rekindled their identity and cultural elements, but this has not been for the past 50 years, tops.
That’s just the truth. You have to find it in yourself. Listen to what your Ancestors are trying to tell you. If you do, eventually it will start sinking in. No, your Ancestors are not extinct. They are alive and well in you, and they are just as important as anyone else’s.
amanda;36360 wrote: Hi. I am Amanda Ray, I have been a member for a while but I had to put things on hold for a little bit. But I’m back and have done a lot more research and been enlightened. My family names, just to re-iterate, are Lynch, Martin, Epps, and Whitmore, and I know there origins for sure. I am also researching Taylor. Haven’t really had any luck with that one. Still trying though.
So, I have been trying to educate myself on my people and I have used different resources to do so. I read a lot on this forum, which I love, and I have also been on Powwows.com, which I must say, is pretty much like throwing yourself in the fire. The issue that I am having is I want to learn about my culture from people, from people who live it and know about it, and who I can sit down with and talk to. The problem is i don’t even know how do that. I don’t want to annoy anyone and I certainly dont want to be called every wannabe in the book for wanting to. I know where my roots are, I just want to get to the core of them. I want to be able to tell my daughter about her history and her ancesters and feel confident in doing so.
So any and all help would be great. Thanks, And just in case it helps my family names more specifically are:
p: Lettie Epps Martin, Brady Martin, James C. Martin, Alice Whitmore, Daffas/Dorfus and RoAnn Epps.(VA and NC)
m: Erasmus and Ida Jones Lynch (Halifax, NC) , and Samuel Taylor. (from the Brunswick Co, VA area)
I had to remove myself from myspace groups and powwows.com because they were full of hatred filled individuals. Currently, I do have a youtube channel and have received alot of hate as well. However, I found support from my followers and now I know that those mean people are just rascist individuals. After I obtained and shared my DNA results, I did not receive one negative remark. There was one naysayer that actually apologized for being obnoxious and mean when he found out that I have significant Indigenous American genetic markers.
Sometimes, we have to be true to ourselves and remove ourselves from unnecessary social groups. Be it online or negative cirles.
You are welcome here at Saponitown!
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