Too late to embrace and learn my Cherokee heritage?

Question

I already know most people are rolling their eyes at the question. Theres so many people who have "gggreat Cherokee grandmothers".

My father was the last "full blooded" native in my family. His father (my great grandfather) was full blooded Cherokee while his mother (my great grandmother) was Lumbee. My mother is pretty much completely white. My father is no longer with us and I only met him a handful of times in my life. I was 13 when he passed away, I am now 21. I have tracked back far enough to find ancestors that were enrolled into the tribe, and I hope more research and my visit to the library in Cherokee will turn up with someone on the Baker Roll of 1924.

I really would love to get involved with the Cherokee people, and maybe even enroll if I can. My biggest worry at the moment would probably be just figuring out my blood quantum. Any one around that has a general idea of how that works and could give a guesstimate of my cherokee blood quantum with the given info?

Thanks.

Answer 1

First, straighten out an inconsistency in your account.  You refer to your father's parents as your great-grandparents.  Do you mean your grandparents?

In any case, if your father was full-blooded Native American and half of that "full blood" was Cherokee, you are one quarter Cherokee.  It's my understanding that one must be of at least one eighth Native American blood to be considered N. A., so even if it was only your GREAT-grandfather who was full Cherokee, you would still be eligible.  However, I'm not sure whether individual tribal standards require a larger fraction.  

As you probably know, the Lumbees are a not-quite-this, not-quite-that group, federally recognized as Native Americans but not as an actual tribe.  These sites reflect various schools of thought on their origins and ethnicity: http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=lumbees...

In any case, I think you have enough Cherokee ancestry to be recognized as one. and if you have documented ancestors who were members of the tribe, there should be little difficiulty in becomign enrolled as one yourself.

Answer 2

I'm on the same path as you so I'll be reading your answers to help me as well... It's never too late to embrace your heritage, be proud of your ancestors.. I've tried for years to trace my maternal lineage without success, my GGGrandmother was of Cree descent and the records of her and her tribe were burned down in a city hall fire.. I can only pick up with her child who was taken from her during an invasion to move and settle the Indians elsewhere and somehow her 3 year old wondered up into a white family's yard and the lady ended up adopting her and giving her an English name..

Good Luck on your quest of family and knowledge!!

Answer 3

That would make you a big % of Cherokee! I don't know exactly, but my mother has Cherokee in her blood. I think her I don't know how many greats father was an indian chief. And I think she might have even showed me a picture of him. But I know that my mother has 15% Cherokee blood. If your grandfather was full cherokee then that would make your father 50% maybe your about 35% or 25%! I'm not sure! But nice to know there's still some indian blood around!

Answer 4

Get in touch with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, they will be able to lead you to the Chief, and since you can prove your line, I am sure you can negotiate acceptance as a member of the Cherokee Nation.  There you may run into someone who will have a story or two to tell you about your ancestors.

Answer 5

(mommahurley, without open email, no one can reach you to offer help..if you are reading replies)

There are a huge number of persons claiming Native lineage that are wishful thinking.. so someone with valid heritage does take some flack.  Not necessary.

http://americanindian.net/cherokee.html

Since you mention already locating enrolled ancestors, your only need is to 'prove' back to them.

As for 21 being too old.. please be tolerant of a chuckle from someone just a few "weeks" past 21.. ok, past 41.  Nope, not too old at all.

Answer 6

The sooner you start, the better off you'll be, and the more treasure you'll find.

Check out the art and discipline of genealogy. It's very instructive.

For specific "Native-American" links, check out http://www.cyndislist.com/native.htm

Best of luck to you and happy hunting. It's a fascinating adventure.