This blog delves into the history and genealogy of the Melungeon,
African and Native Americans and other Free People of Color who resided
in the Americas from the early 1600s until the 1850s and their
descendants. Although most ancestors covered in this blog were living
in VA, NC and SC earlier in the formation of this nation, others moved
to TN, IN, and OH in the early 1800s when life became increasingly
difficult for them in the Southern States.
As a Literature and
History Major I became interested in African, Native, and British
American History and Literature and researching these genre and
following in my grandmother's footsteps led me to an interest in
Genealogy and the search for my ancestral roots. After completing my
DNA, I found that it proved my mother's and grandmother's lineage
beliefs.
Though much research has been developed on Free Persons
of Color during the colonial period and prior to The War Between the
States, I discovered a noticeable gap between the years immediately
preceding and following emancipation. These broken bridges in my family
connections caused me much distress during my earlier research. The
years between 1850 and 1870 are the most difficult to bridge, locate and
designate ancestors of color. Yet, these are the defining years for
connecting the dots to our later ancestors.
Many people
continuously hit "brick walls" during genealogical research because of
bias in American society, and because some Free People of Color did not
acknowledge or embrace their rich tri-ethnic heritage and worked hard to
"blend in" or “cross-over" as soon as they could due to the time period
in which they lived. When family secrets are kept, American history
is skewed and our ancestors who contributed much to the building of this
Nation cannot be celebrated for their unselfish sacrifices.
After
discovering cousins from many ethnic backgrounds through DNA and family
connections, I realized that we are more alike than we are different.
This Melungeon heritage has been misunderstood and as a descendant of
Free Persons of Color and European and African ancestors living in
Colonial Virginia and Early North Carolina (1620-1750), I discovered
that my ancestors fought in the Civil and Revolutionary Wars and
included Native, African, and European Americans. Before I began this
research, I knew my ancestors served in World War I and II and later,
but thought that the Civil and Revolutionary Wars were not relevant to
me. As I made more ancestral lineage discoveries, I realized that many
of my ancestors served bravely in all wars in the Americas.
Consequently,
in an effort to assist others, this blog was developed encourage
discussion and to aid individuals to bridge the gap and discover their
"true" ancestry. I will begin with my ancestors and you may feel free
to email me with any information or photos that you may have with the
Surnames: Best, Parks, Fuller, Locus(t), Lucas, Grice, Bunch, Pettiford,
Roberts, Newsom, Hamilton, Mitchell, Warters/Waters, Artis, Campbell,
Brown, Smith, Jones, and Williams. My ancestors resided in Isle of
Wight, Norfolk, and Suffolk County, VA; also in Black Creek, Wilson,
Nash, Wayne, Greene, Dobbs, Lenoir, Bertie, Wake, Cumberland, and
Chatham Counties, NC; and Lick Creek, Lost Creek, Vigo and Orange
County, IN; and Belmont, OH.
I will post your genealogical
discoveries and share with others in hopes that we will find the
connections we seek. (This "Melungeon Free People of Color" Blog is
meant to be a positive Blog whose main focus is an effort to find and
honor our lost ancestors and it is important to keep that goal in mind
when posting).
Happy Researching and Be Blessed!!
Gigi Best
No comments:
Post a Comment