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Ancestor Searching Newsletter, Volume 2, # 10

Submitted by rwhite on January 8, 2008

Cherokee Genealogical Research (part 2): Be sure to keep an open mind when researching Cherokee ancestry. There were many instances when both an Indian name and a French or English name were used for the same individual. Record everything found on the surname(s) of interest. The Cherokees adopted into the tribe, members of other Indian nations (including Osage, Delaware, and Shawnee). Besides intermarriage with European or American merchants, missionaries, or army personnel, former Negro slaves of the Cherokees became Freedmen citizens of the tribe after the Civil War. For that reason one could be Indian, white, or black (or any combination of the three) and be a Cherokee, without actually having much Cherokee blood.

Many Cherokee traders would have two families: a Cherokee family and another located usually in South Carolina or Virginia. Also, most Upper Creek traders had Cherokee wives. As most traders chose to marry prominent Cherokees, there may be kinship to any of the prominent chieftains.

If your ancestor has disappeared from the records, don’t give up searching. There were no written records within the Cherokee Nation.

Continue to search through European or American records to locate your ancestor. If your ancestor (surnames) can not be found on traditional records, this is usually a good sign that they can be found within the Cherokee Nation.

Don’t accept everything at face value, and try to be totally objective. Learn and comprehend Cherokee traditions, and look for traits that exist in your current family. Forget traditional genealogical methods. Cherokee genealogy, as well as all Native genealogy, is not traditional. Search all abstracts, journals, and memoirs available on Cherokee families. Many researchers are not aware that any one Cherokee ancestor could possess more than one title or name. For instance, Ostenaco can be found as Mankiller, Ootacite, Tacite, or Outacite. All four of these terms refer to the same Cherokee individual.

Every text that you search hopefully includes a bibliography. Search the bibliographies for even more sources.

Here are some other sources to consider for research:

  • American State Papers
  • Cherokee Roots, Members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians by Bob Blankenship
  • Cherokee Roots: Western Cherokee Rolls
  • Cherokee Old Timers
  • Cherokee Pioneers
  • Cherokee By Blood: Records of the Eastern Cherokee Ancestry in the U.S. Court of Claims, 1906-1910 by Jerry Wright Jordan.
  • Exploring Your Cherokee Ancestry: A Basic Genealogical Research Guide by Thomas G. Mooney.
  • Journal of Cherokee Studies, (16 volumes). The set contains many genealogical abstracts and articles about prominent Cherokees.
  • Old Cherokee Families: Notes of Dr. Emmet Starr and Starr’s History of the Cherokee Indians, both by Emmet Starr.

The solving of riddles pertaining to Cherokee genealogy is always a great accomplishment, but because of gaps in the historical records and the loss of family information, some puzzles will remain forever mysteries.

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Genealogy Workshop

Fact: Cherokee Chiefs and headmen were chosen by consensus in tribal councils, and did not fit the European scheme of royalty and nobility. There were “Peace Chiefs” (diplomats) and “War Chiefs” (generals); town chiefs (mayors) and regional chiefs (governors); chiefs called “Small-Pox Conjuror” (not always successful), “Slave Catchers” (i.e. they captured prisoners of war), “Mankiller” (killed enemies); and even apprentice chiefs (known as “Colonah” meaning “Raven”).

Tip: Cherokee clans were based on a matrilineal system (traced thru the mother's line). This changed in the 1750’s due to their intermarriage with European Americans. While Cherokees kept traditional matrilineal oral records, mixed Cherokees often used both patrilineal and matrilineal documentation in writing.

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Genealogy News

From the Allen County Public Library genealogy newsletter ‘Genealogy Gems’ comes the following information for researchers in Florida.

“Spanish Land Grants in Florida by Melissa Shimkus

While Florida was under Spanish rule, the Spanish government established procedures to grant land titles to individuals based on whether they were laborers, soldiers, or aristocrats. First, an individual had to petition the governor of the territory for the land.

Then the governor would grant the land to the individual with conditions. A surveyor would interview witnesses to verify information and survey the land. Finally, a land title would be awarded once the governor verified that the individual had satisfied the conditions of the grant.

On March 30, 1822, a territorial government was created in Florida under the United States. An agreement was made with Spain which provided individuals who had received land in Florida from the Spanish government prior to 1818 the right to file claims to their land. A Board of Commissioners for West Florida and a Board of Commissioners for East Florida were established to review the validity of claims and evidence provided.

The Historical Records Survey Program was created by the WPA (Works Progress Administration) to record state and county archives. In Florida, they deciphered and interpreted the archival papers of these Boards of Commissioners, publishing a five volume set, "Spanish Land Grants in Florida" (975.9 H62sp). The first volume features unconfirmed claims, while the other four volumes document confirmed land claims. The records are listed alphabetically by surname.

Information found in the claims varies for each case but can include a petition for the land, names of family members, military service information, a survey or plat of the land, depositions of neighbors and family, deeds, and character testimony. Many individuals supplied the documents from their land title petition under the Spanish government.

The record for Guillermo Craig, who claimed ownership of a section of land along the St. Johns River, offers a wealth of information.

Guillermo provided details of how he acquired the land and the former owner signed off on the explanation. Three witnesses testified when he met the conditions required to receive the land title. The names and ages of the witnesses are provided. A dispute with James Hall over the land created another entry.

"Spanish Land Grants in Florida" is an informative resource for Florida researchers, which documents the locations, dates, names, and some ages for land owners in Florida when it was transferred from the Spanish government to the United States.”

The collection can be found and searched from the Florida Memory Project site at http://www.floridamemory.com/Collections/SpanishLandGrants/

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New Research Acquisitions in the Heritage Room

H 355.1 Lu ~ Revolutionary War Period Bible Family and Marriage Records Gleaned from Pension Applications, Hull – Hunting by Deidre Dagner

H 971.6049 Whi ~ Blacks on the Border: Black Refugees in British North America, 1815 – 1860 by Harvey Whitfield

H 973.0496 Fam ~ Families and Freedom: African-American Kinship in the Civil War Era by Ira Berlin and Leslie Rowland

H 973.3 Tay ~ Divided Ground: Indians, Settlers and the Northern Borderland of the American Revolution by Alan Taylor

H 973.3089 Lan ~ African-Americans in the American Revolution by Michael Lanning

H 973.52 Lan ~ Union 1812: Americans Who fought the Second War of Independence by A. J. Langguth

H 974 Win ~ Walking Toward the Sunset: The Melungeons of Appalachia by Wayne Winker

H 975.634 Bri ~ Estate Records, 1772 – 1933, Richmond County, North Carolina (3 Vols.) by Myrtle Bridges

H 975.725 Che ~ Families of Old Pendleton District, South Carolina by Linda Cheek (2 Vols.)

H 975.729 Pru ~ Spartanburg District, South Carolina Deed Abstracts (Book CC-FF), 1825-1860 by Larry Vehorn

H 975.771 Rak ~ Cemeteries of Northern Richland County, South Carolina by David Rakes

Ancestor Searching Newsletter, Volume 2, # 9

Submitted by rwhite on January 8, 2008

Cherokee Genealogical Research (part 1): Today, the Cherokees are the second most numerous American Indian people (only the Navajo tribe is larger). Many Americans believe themselves to have Cherokee ancestry, but tribal membership is solely the responsibility of the three recognized tribal governments (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma; United Keetoowah Band, and the Eastern Band of North Carolina). It has been said that there are three types of Cherokees: “Cherokees,” “Wannabees,” and “Outtalucks.” Also, Cherokee “Princesses” did not exist.

As late as the year 1776, the Indian traders from the state of South Carolina were responsible for the majority of commerce between the white settlers and the Cherokee nation. Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia traders also dealt with the Cherokee, but on a much smaller scale. The Cherokees were a numerous and warlike people, inhabiting southern Appalachia, consisting of parts of the present States of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Nearly 300 years ago, British subjects (mainly of Scot ancestry) traveled into the mountain country to trade with the Indians. Many of these traders established trading posts in Cherokee towns, and by accepting a Native wife or consort, were adopted into the tribe. These men became known as “Indian Countrymen”.

A must-see reference is for Cherokee research is William L. McDowell’s The Colonial Records of South Carolina: Documents relating to Indian Affairs. It’s a 2- volume set published by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.

Here are some important things to remember to guide you in researching Cherokee ancestry.

  • Spellings of names are not always the same in historical records.
  • Cherokee names have phonetic spellings utilizing both French and British pronunciation.
  • Personal names will vary according to dialect or region. (The Cherokees had three dialects).
  • Exercise caution in attempting to determine the degree of Cherokee blood. By 1900, there were very few full blood Cherokees alive.
  • The surname you started with may lead you to another surname. More than likely, your search will lead to an early trader.
  • As far as our ancestors who intermarried during the 18th century, on average, descendants today would possess about 1/128 to 1/256 Cherokee blood.
  • Search the regions around the Cherokee nation, and be aware of the ever-changing borders of both the Cherokee lands and the frontier.
  • There were four settlement groups in the Cherokee Nation. Namely, 1) OVERHILLS found in East Tennessee in the area of the Little Tennessee River; 2) VALLEY in lower East Tennessee, southwestern North Carolina, and north Georgia regions; 3) LOWER which covered the areas of western South Carolina, and northeastern Georgia; and 4) MIDDLE encompassing western North Carolina.
  • Keep in mind they were transient and would move from place to place both inside and outside Cherokee boundaries.
  • Check all colonial, state and local histories, frontier histories, Indian trade records.

Here’s a list of some early Colonial records worth searching:

  • The Colonial Records of the State of Georgia
  • The Colonial Records of North Carolina
  • The State Records of North Carolina
  • Documents of the American Revolution, 1770 - 1783
  • Executive Journals of the Council of Colonial Virginia
  • Virginia State Papers and Other Manuscripts, 1652 – 1781

(To be continued in the January issue …)

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Genealogy Workshop

Fact: Today, the Cherokees are the second most numerous American Indian people (only the Navajo tribe is larger). Many Americans believe themselves to have Cherokee ancestry, but tribal membership is solely the responsibility of the three recognized tribal governments (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma; United Keetoowah Band, and the Eastern Band of North Carolina). It has been said that there are three types of Cherokees: “Cherokees,” “Wannabees,” and “Outtalucks.” ~ Jim Hicks, Cherokee Lineages

Tip: While many publishers offer works about the Cherokees, purchase those that may help most in research. Here is a short list of some of the companies with helpful resources that are in print.

  • Cherokee Publications, Cherokee, North Carolina.
  • Oklahoma Yesterday Publications, 8745 East 9th St. Tulsa, OK 74112 Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Oklahoma.
  • Overmountain Press, Johnson City, Tennessee.
  • University of Tennessee Press, Knoxville, Tennessee.
  • An excellent resource is a volume by Thomas G. Mooney entitled Exploring Your Cherokee Ancestry: A Basic Genealogical Research Guide, Tahlequah, OK.: Cherokee National Historical Society, 1992. A reference copy is available in the Huntsville Heritage Room (H 929.1 Moo).

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Genealogy News

MyFamily.com and Genetree.com have both recently introduced new genealogical networking site to the Internet.

Winter Quarter (Jan. – Mar. 2008) Computer Genealogy Classes

  • Genealogy Online ~ Wednesdays, 2 to 4 PM - Jan. 23rd, Feb. 20th, Mar. 19th
  • Online Databases ~ Tuesdays, 5:30 to 6:30 PM
  • New England Historic Genealogy Database – Jan. 29th
  • Ancestry.com – Feb. 26th
  • Heritage Quest – Mar. 25th

All classes are held in the Computer Training Center on 3rd Floor of the Main Library. To register for a class, contact the Training Center at 532.2356 or stop by in person.

Preserving Family Stories and Memories

Submitted by rwhite on November 26, 2007

Many genealogy researchers are not only gathering names, dates and places of their ancestors but also turning these into written accounts of the life and times of the pioneer families.

There are some writing courses offered online that can be of valuable assistance. From Writers Online Workshops (Publishers of Family Tree Magazine) comes a special offer that expires December 31st. Enter coupon code DE1126FT to receive $25 off one of their classes. Among their offerings are Essentials of Writing Personal Essays, for recording those special treasured memories and capturing all important life events, Fundamentals of Life Stories Writing and Advanced Memoir and Nonfiction Book Writers' Workshop; plus, there are workshops courses "from basic grammar to creativity to scrapbook journaling and everything in between!"

EDITOR'S NOTE: No endorsement of or connection to this web site by the Huntsville Public Library should be construed. The information is simply offered as a resource for genealogy researchers.

 

Ancestor Searching Newsletter, Volume 2, # 8

Submitted by rwhite on November 26, 2007

Using Genealogy Search Engines: These days, anyone that’s interested in delving into their past can turn on a computer, connect to the Internet and have available a wealth of information. It’s been estimated that approximately 20% of what is on the Internet is genealogy related. With the ability to ‘surf’ at faster speeds, genealogical research has become even more intriguing and doesn’t require searching through dusty old records hidden in the recesses of some quaint courthouse and which would take hours if not days to search out. Today, you can easily conduct genealogy research on the Internet and find birth records, marriage and death certificates, contact information for others researching the same surnames and find relatives that were previously unknown, all of which were once much harder to achieve and took a greater amount of time to find.

Not only are there specific genealogy search engines that are now popping up almost constantly on the ‘Net’ but many times the regular ‘run-of-the-mill’ everyday search engines can accomplish the same desired genealogical results.

Each day there are more new web sites that come on line with information that is genealogy related. Many, for instance, overlook the use of Google to search for ancestors. To take advantage of it, type in the ancestor’s full name (if known) and surround the name with quotation marks. With some luck, you’ll find information on the ancestors in your family tree. Don’t forget to also to search Google by name, place, dates, type of records, etc. You may be surprised to find just how much information there is out there on the Internet that will aid you in your research process.

There are now many genealogy search engines and directories that can be used in researching. Just to mention a few, Family Search is a search engine of genealogy information databases maintained by the Family History Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It maintains databases of genealogy information, including a search of the information available from the Family History Library. Anything you find there is free. Then, there are subscription services such as Ancestry, One Great Family, World Vital Records, or My Tree. It’s best to try them out (trial period) if possible to decide whether they are worth the cost.

Also, check the genealogy directories that can help you find resources to locate your ancestors. A couple of directories that you might consider using are Cyndi's List and LinkPendium.

With the technology available today, your chances of finding your ancestors has become so much easier than even 20 years ago. Then you had to spend a lot of time writing letters. Now you can go to your computer and find more in one hour than your could find in months 20 years ago.

Genealogy Workshop

Fact: Spiders are programs or automated script which search for specific topic information (such as genealogy) in a methodical, automated manner. They are also known as web crawlers, ants, automatic indexers, bots, worms and robots.

Genealogy News

The Huntsville Genealogical Computing Society will be having Sue Purves from the Mormon Church whose topic will be on the LDS Family History Software Updates. The program is scheduled for Monday, November 19th in the Auditorium of the Huntsville Public Library starting at 7 PM.

Sneak Peek: Coming in the December issue will be some of the details learned in the Cherokee Genealogy Research seminar sponsored by the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library this past Saturday (Oct. 27th).

Ancestor Searching Newsletter, Volume 2, # 7

Submitted by rwhite on November 26, 2007

Mapping Our Ancestors (part 2): You’ll need to have strong circumstantial evidence concerning the time period and possible location of ancestors to find the most helpful maps. The three main elements to look for in locating these maps are 1) ones that show detailed information about the specific area where the family might have lived, then 2) that place the area in perspective to the surrounding area (i.e. individual county district or county and 3) that will show the border outline and identify the areas beyond in all directions. Depending on the region, Plat Books are a valuable resource in pinpointing the family lands. In 1879, the USGS then new library began collecting its holding of topographic and many other kinds of maps of the United States and its territories.

The individual map features can tell a lot about the way an area may have been settled, how travel to the area may have taken place and the difficulty in entering the region such as mountains and rivers for example would offer. Once possible locations are determined, a visit to the library and local or state archives would be in order to check for atlases, gazetteers and other sources that pertain to those locations of interest. An excellent resource is the Map Guide to the U.S. Federal Censuses, 1790 -1920. The book shows all of the various county boundaries for each state from 1790 to 1920. The old county lines are superimposed over modern ones to highlight boundary changes for each 10-year interval. Another valuable source is the Map Catalog published by Random House in 1990. The publication contains a vast amount of information draw from a worldwide range of current as well as older maps, atlases, etc. Map research described in the work ranges from large areas such as country and regional maps all the way down to local city, railroad, topographic and various detailed smaller maps.

The Geography and Map Division of the Library of Congress maintains a tremendous collection of almost 4 million maps, 51,000 atlases and over 8,000 reference works. Their holdings are indexed by card and book catalogs instead of a single catalog. The atlas collection alone covers publications created within the last 500 years from printers around the world. Genealogical interest is especially drawn to a source entitled Land Ownership Maps: A Checklist of Nineteenth Century United States County Maps in the Library of Congress, published in 1967. Also of importance are the over 700,000 large-scale Sanborn fire insurance maps. The company has worked on publishing and updating these maps since 1867.

In conclusion, here are some basic tips for using maps in locating ancestors. Look for any directories or pamplets that will offer guidance to the appropriate map collection for your research. When sending for information, give as much information about the map(s) needed as far as location, where, when and by publisher name, if available. Be sure to state what is needed from the map(s) and the area covered. This will greatly aid the map researcher in locating the proper map(s) to fulfill a request.

Genealogy Workshop

Fact: Earth Science Information Centers can be found in the following locations: Anchorage, AK; Denver, CO; Menlo Park, CA; Reston, VA; Rolla, MO; and Sioux Falls, SD.

Tip: The USGS maintains more than 55,000 updated topographic maps that cover practically all local areas of the US and Territories. These are highly detailed maps with names and features located within a certain area. Maps of particular counties are also available in two scales: 1:50,000 and 1:100,000.

You can contact the USGS for its Index to Topographic and Other Map Coverage and [State] Catalog of Topographic and other Published Maps [all scales] at the Earth Science Information Center or by calling 1-888-ASK-USGS.

Genealogy News

October is Family History Month. Here’s some food for thought . . .

"To understand a nation, one must first understand its history. The history is more than the laws and dates of major events. History lies in the daily life of the people for it is the people who make a nation. To ignore the lives of those who have gone before us is to negate their ideas, dreams and accomplishments. It robs us of the warp in the fabric of our own lives. And, each person's life is a thread woven into the tapestry that is that nation." - Author unknown.

Editor’s Note: If you recognize the source of this quote, please email the Editor at the address below so that proper credit may be given.

Ancestor Searching Newsletter, Volume 2, # 6

Submitted by rwhite on November 26, 2007

Mapping Our Ancestors (part 1): In genealogical research, maps can provide clues to where our ancestors may have lived and where to look for written records about them. If you're a beginner, you should master basic genealogical research techniques before taking the next step in the use of topographic maps.

Once facts are gathered about family history and customs, turn to maps to uncover more specific information or to solve historical "mysteries." Old and new maps can help you track down facts about a branch of your family. How? In the United States, birth, death, property, and some other kinds of records are normally kept by the county governments. If you can name the place where an ancestor lived, new or old maps of that place may also show the county seat where useful data about your kin can be obtained.

Old maps can be particularly useful in this regard because pinpointing the name of the place where an ancestor lived can be like trying to hit a moving target. Many towns, counties, cities, and even countries have experienced numerous name changes over the years. Even though their names have changed, some of these places may be noted on an old map. The location of some others may be found in sources such as lists of abandoned post offices, local histories, government records, microfilm records, or clippings from old newspapers, old city directories, or old county atlases kept in the library archives of a town, city, or county in the region.

If you find unfamiliar place names during your search, the U. S. Geological Survey can help. The Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) is the nation's official database of place names. The GNIS is maintained by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and can often provide information on name changes. This database contains 2 million entries, including the names of places that no longer exist, as well as variant names for existing places.

This automated system also contains the names of every type of feature except roads and highways. It is especially useful for genealogical research because it contains entries for communities, as well as for churches and cemeteries, even those that no longer exist.

To use this free service, e-mail: gnis_manager [at] usgs [dot] gov (gnis_manager [at] usgs [dot] gov), telephone 703-648-4544, or write to U.S. Geological Survey, Geographic Names, 523 National Center, Reston, VA 20192. You can also visit the GNIS Web site at geonames.usgs.gov.

Constantly changing place names are not the only challenge; the boundaries of many political jurisdictions where early Americans lived have changed one or more times. Some American families lived in the same locale for hundreds of years. Yet, their homes may have been swapped back and forth a number of times between different political jurisdictions - towns, provinces, States, or countries.

This can greatly complicate research. For example, in a documented case, the place where a family lived for the entire 19th century was at various times part of seven different counties. In such a case, you might have to query all seven courthouses to obtain data needed about members of the family. Records or copies of records were rarely acquired by newly created counties.

Similar, more difficult problems arise when one is searching for genealogical records in archives of foreign countries. The names and boundaries of countries are still changing, and many public and private record centers disappear or move from place to place.

(To be continued in the October issue …)

Genealogy Workshop

Fact: The National Archives is the official repository for valuable records produced by the Federal Government since 1774, including almost 2 million maps.

Tip: The National Archives offers the Guide to Genealogical Research at the National Archives. This 304-page illustrated guide was revised in 1985. Chapter 20 on Cartographic Records describes holdings of the National Archives that are of special value to genealogist:

  • Census Records: census enumeration maps, enumeration district descriptions, and civil division outline maps.
  • General Land Office Records: township survey plats and U.S. land district maps.
  • Military Records: manuscript, annotated, and printed maps, plans, and charts compiled or collected by various military organizations.
  • Other Cartographic Records: small-scale civil division maps, postal route maps, USGS topographic quadrangle maps, area and county soil maps, tax assessment maps, maps relating to captured and abandoned property, and maps pertaining to American Indians.

This guide can be ordered from the Publications Sales Branch of the National Archives or from:

National Archives Trust Fund
NEPS Dept. 735
P.O. Box 100793
Atlanta, GA 30384
(hardcover $25, plus $3 postage).

Genealogy News

Many are unaware of the genealogy classes that are offered at the library on a regular monthly basis except December. No classes are offered during the month of December due to the busy holiday period.

If you or someone you know is interested in signing up for one or more of these classes, the following schedule will be in effect for the next quarter of the year (Sept., Oct. and Nov).

  • Genealogy Online ~ 2 to 4 PM - Sept. 19th, Oct. 24th and Nov. 14th
  • New England Historic Genealogical Society Databases ~ 5:30 to 6:30 PM - Sept. 25th
  • Ancestry.com ~ 5:30 to 6:30 PM - Oct. 30th
  • HeritageQuest Online ~ 5:30 to 6:30 Pm - Nov. 27th

Sign-up may be in person by visiting the Computer Training Center on 3rd floor of the Main Library or by calling 532.2356. The classes are FREE.

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