SMARC: Ethnic Research: Native American, African American, Melungeon, Black Dutch, Irish, German, Jewish, Other

Below are web sites concerning genealogy research about different ethnic groups. This list does not begin to include all groups; but we've tried to include the ones that we know affect our ancestors in the Tri-State area.

Researchers now also have the option of performing DNA testing on male descendants which can tell which generation was Native American, for example. Surname groups are also now using DNA testing to determine ancestry. There are numerous medical conditions that have today been slated as "inherited" and many of those are tied to ethnic groups.

One of the most common and erroneous assumptions that many researchers of our Tri-State area make is that an ancestor who had dark/olive skin with dark eyes and dark hair was Cherokee. Not necessarily so, at all !! Although the Creek Nation was predominantly in Southern Georgia, it's possible that some descendants came to North GA area. The most logical reason for these physical characteristics was that they were of Melungeon or "Black Dutch" descent. Even if you have blonde hair, blue eyes and fair skin, you can still be a Melungeon. If you have never heard of Melungeons, start reading about them today !!

Native American	African American	Melungeon
nativeamericans.com The Indian Tribes of North America Cherokee Heritage Trails Establishing Your American Indian Ancestry - Research advice from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Understanding the History of Tribal Enrollment - by Nora Livesay A Guide to Cherokee Research - by Comache Lodge Search Hints for Genealogical Data in ARC - This page of search instructions from the Archival Research Catalog uses Federal holdings of Cherokee records as search examples. Included are instructions for searching the descriptions of 64,177 Cherokee, Chickasaw, Creek, and Seminole app-lications for enrollment to the Five Civilized Tribes (Dawes Commission) between 1898 and 1914 of which 10,874 of the 64,177 application descriptions have digital copies attached to them. Also gives instructions for searching the descriptions of the Wallace Roll, Guion Miller Roll, and the the Kern-Clifton Roll among others. Indian Bounty Land Warrants - by Mary Frances Morrow at NARA 1835 Cherokee East of the Mississippi River Reservation Roll Applicant Index A listing of Cherokees applying for a 640 acre tract in the East in lieu of removing to Arkansas. 1851 Cherokee East of the Mississippi River - The Siler Rolls A Guide to Cherokee CSA Military Units in the Civil War Wallace Roll of Cherokee Freedmen, 1890-93 1880 Cherokee Nation Census CD (Win) 1890 Cherokee Nation Census CD (Win/Mac) Dawes Commission Index, 1896 Dawes Commission Index, 1898-1914 The Removal of the Cherokee Nation: Manifest Destiny or National Dishonor? The Eastern Bands of Cherokees 1819-1900 Qualla: Home of the Middle Cherokee Settlements Pocahontas Descendants Descendants of Powhatan (Father of Pocahontas). Cherokee Roots - by Bob Blankenship - this 2 Vol. set is a must have if researching Cherokee ancestors. It includes both the Dawes and Baker Rolls which are used today to qualify for enrollment. See Genealogy Books abt the Cherokee People	Finding Your African American Ancestors: A Beginner's Guide Black Roots: A Beginner's Guide to Tracing the African American Family Tree Finding your African American Ancestors (Scratch & Dent) - Unlock the door to your African American ancestors with this information packed book by noted African American genealogist David T. Thackery. AfriGeneas ~ African American & African Ancestored Genealogy CD-ROM: African Americans in the 1870 U.S. Federal Census African Americans in the 1910 U.S. Federal Census Article: Ancestry.com Posts Narratives of Former Slaves North American Slave Narratives - "Documenting the American South" Project at UNC at Chapel Hill Library of Congress Adds "Slaves and the Courts" Immigration: The Africans A brief history of African immigration to the United States. African American Links at Cyndi's List 1850 and 1860 Slave Schedule information is located on our census page. A Brief Timeline of Georgia Laws Relating to Slaves, Nominal Slaves and Free Persons of Color - by Tara Fields Profiles of African Americans in Tennessee - by Bobby L. Lovett and Linda T. Wynn Free African Americans in NC, VA and SC from the Colonial period to abt 1820 See books about African Americans	What is Melungeon? The Melungeon Resource Page Melungeon Heritage Association The Melungeon DNA Surname Project The Melungeon Health Education & Support Network A Collection of Melungeon Links at the Native Americans Web Site Shirley Hornbeck's This and That Genealogy Tips on Black Dutch and Irish, Melungeons, Moravians, Pennsylvania Dutch Melungeon Mailing List For people conducting Melungeon and/or Appalachian research including Native American, Portuguese, Turkish, Black Dutch, and other unverifiable mixed statements of ancestry or unexplained rumors, with ancestors in TN, KY, VA, NC, SC, GA, AL, WV, and possibly other places. Archives: browse or search. MELUNGEONS Mailing List For the discussion and sharing of information regarding all areas of Melungeon research including genealogy, research into their origins, historical issues, health issues common to some descendants, as well as folklore, culture and customs. See Melungeon Books
Irish	German	Jewish
Article: Irish Links & Resources Irish Heritage Association - at OBCGS Irish Settlers in North America before 1850 Irish to America 1846-1865 searchable database Irish in the 1870 Census Irish Flax Growers List 1796 Irish to America, Passenger & Immigration Lists, Vol 1, 1846-1865 Irish to America, Passenger & Immigration Lists, Vol. 2, 1846-1886 The Irish and Ulster Immigrations to Georgia Dr. Brian Trainor, Ulster Historical Foundation - video available from GA Historical Society See Irish Genealogy Books	German Settlers - by Myra Vanderpool Gormley, CG German American Names German and Swiss Settlers in America, 1700s-1800s [searchable database] German-American Corner - History and Heritage German Americana The Germans of Colonial Georgia, 1733-1783 Germans to America, Passenger and Immigration Lists 1850-1874 Germans to America, Passenger and Immigration Lists 1875-1888 In Search of Your German Roots: A Complete Guide to Tracing Your Ancestors in the Germanic Areas of Europe See German Genealogy Books	Jewish-American and Deep South Jewish Heritage Beginning Jewish Research Jewish Genealogy on the Internet Jewish Migration to the United States Dictionary of Jewish Surnames in Russian Empire - searchable database How to Read a Hebrew Tombstone - Information on reading Hebrew tombstones, including the Jewish calendar, numbers, common phrases, and special symbols. Jewish Genetic Diseases Mazornet's staff is dedicated to compiling helpful information and resources concerning Jewish genetic diseases. JewishGen: The Official Home of Jewish Genealogy Russsians to America 1850-1896 See Jewish Genealogy Books
Other Interesting Sites or Books:
Settlers and Intruders on Cherokee Indian Lands 1801-1816 Excerpts from the papers of the Cherokee Indian Agency in Tennessee. DNA and the Family Historian Chris Pomeroy has written an excellent article on DNA testing for family historians. Pomeroy explains that there are two basic DNA tests of interest to family historians: the Y-chromosome test and the mitochondrial test. The History of Last Names by Rhonda R. McClure Directory of Scots Banished to the American Plantations, 1650-1775