I am looking for my grandfather who was a chief by the name of rainbolt?

Question

My grandfather was a cherokee indian chief his last name was Rainbolt he had a grandson by the name of Traville Foster Franks whom is my father

Answer 1

People can help you, but they need dates and states. I Googled "Rainbolt Cherokee" and got 2,750 hits. It is a COMMON last name for Cherokees.

Consider this:

IF (big IF) you are now 16 and the result of a long line of teen-aged lovers:

You were born 16 years ago, in 1992;

Your father was born 16 years before that, in 1976;

Your grandfather was born 16 years before that, in 1960;

Your great grandfather was born 16 years before that, in 1944.

IF (Another big IF) you are now 80 and the result of a long line of men who had a child by their second wives when they were 60:

You were born 80 years ago, in 1928;

Your father was born 60 years before that, in 1868;

Your grandfather was born 60 years before that, in 1808;

Your great grandfather was born 60 years before that, in 1748.

The Great-Grandfather born in 1944 could have been a 26-year old soldier in Viet Nam in 1970. When he got home he might have gone to a disco in a powder-blue double-knit polyester leisure suit.

The Great-Grandfather born in 1748 could have been a 28-year old soldier serving under George Washington in the American Revolution in 1776. When he got home, he might have danced a reel at a barn dance, in a pair of silk knee breeches and shoes with silver buckles.

Both examples are extreme, both are physically possible, both show why a birth year or even a birth decade help more than the phrase "my (great) grandfather".

Answer 2

Try contacting the cherokee tribe. Im not really sure if you are able to. But if he was a cheif and you can prove it I would try to get my Indian Card. Im not sure if thats what it is. Well good luck.

Answer 3

Why don't you try the link below. I am sure they can answer your questions or know where to find the answers.

Answer 4

I can offer you the summary for Traville F Franks, who was born in 1876 and his family... I suspect he will have a connection to your father. This is the 1930 census-

Name:  Traville F Franks

Home in 1930: Police Jury Ward 3, Rapides, Louisiana

Age: 51

Estimated Birth Year: abt 1879

Birthplace: Louisiana

Relation to Head of House: Head

Spouse's Name: Zella

Race: White

Occupation:

Education:

Military service:

Rent/home value:

Age at first marriage:

Parents' birthplace:

View Image

Neighbors: View others on page

Household Members:

Name Age

Traville F Franks 51

Zella Franks 43

Charles Franks 19

Walter Franks 17

Fred Franks 15

Alberta Franks 11

Nora Franks 8

David Franks 5

THIS Traville was born in Louisiana, but his father came from Georgia, and his mother was born in Louisiana.

Your immediate need is to verify the name of YOUR grandfather, which would be on your dad's birth or death certificate. I am assuming your father was born after 1930, which means he will not be findable in this census (later census are not yet open).  Once you have your grandfather's name.. then you will be able to connect him to his actual parents.

The Louisiana connection suggests that info about Cherokee background is likely to be inaccurate. It would be spinning your wheels to contact any tribe, UNTIL YOU HAVE documentation of each generation back.