Re: Some Cherokee History
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In reply to:
Re: Some Cherokee History
g. louer 1/09/13
Graham
The fractions/percentages are meaningless to American Indians.
As I said, we don't measure ourselves that way, and neither has the government, except for around the time of the Dawes Allotment Act, in the late 1800's/early 1900's.
Those fractions are mostly erroneous anyway.
It's a fairly modern concept, one which your family would probably have no knowledge of until quite recently in the 20th century.
It would not have been "passed down" from an ancestorwho was alive in the late 1700's.
You may be aware that American Indians have been segregated and marginalized since the first Europeans arrived here 400 years ago.
It still exists today.
Being 1/2 or 1/64 or 1/328, would have made no difference to being allowed in the Library or swimming pool, or any other Whtes Only facility, even in the late 1960's.
(I speak from experience)
When it comes to being Indian, it's a case of "you is, or you ain't".
Sadly, the Internet has spawned a plethora of fraudulent information and fake tribes, white/European Americans who steal our history and re-write it to fit their sad fantasy.
I found a Dempsey GRAHAM in numerous Federal Records,Land Deeds and Slave Schedules.
An old man in 1860 in Alabama who listed his occupation as "Gentleman" with Personal Assets of $ 10,000.
Could that be your ancestor ?
Family stories are an interesting addition to the family history, but without solid documentation, that's all they are. Stories.
Kathy Roberts
VA