Destroying the Field - Grandpa, Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days

Can't you see it now? Children sitting around their daddy or their grandpa asking about the good old days? Oh how we love those old family stories! Of course they endear us to our grandpa, or daddy, or whoever is telling the story to us, but a word of caution.............those stories might not always be based in fact. For one reason or another, grandpa might have wanted to make the story a little more exciting or entertaining to his grandchildren or maybe someone tried to make the story more entertaining to him when he was a child, so he is just repeating what he heard. Maybe when the story was first told, it was true, but somehow, after being retold from generation to generation, more has been added so that it no longer resembles the original story.

Today, I am going to share one such story. I don't know the origination of it. I just know it is now becoming an internet myth, rapidly spreading, and being accepted as true. I imagine it has changed over the years and may not even resemble the original story today. Though I have repeatedly said family stories are unreliable, a lot of people disagree. I assure you, by the end of this series, "Destroying the Field," you will see why this family story is NOT true and you will see the ramifications of so many people accepting it as such without doing their own thorough research.

The name of the Cherokee claimed - John Vann, son of John Shepard Vann and Elizabeth Pack Fields.

The claim - Though there are a few variations, the basic premise of the story is that Elizabeth died during the Civil War and John Shepard Vann then married a white woman who made the younger John do "squaw's work." It is claimed because John had to do women's work, the other children laughed and made fun of him, so at the age of eight, he ran away, never having contact with his family again.

Fast forward to 1879 - The claim is the younger John married a woman named Sarah Matilda Himes or Hines (the spelling varies from tree to tree), produced children in the 1880s and died in 1899 in Texas. 

Today, the descendants of Sarah claim to be Cherokee through this line -

James Vann - builder of the famed Vann House in Georgia
Rich Joe Vann - favorite son and inheritor of the Vann House after James' death
John Shepard Vann - active in Cherokee politics and a judge for the Circuit and Supreme Courts
John Vann - son of John Shepard Vann and Elizabeth Pack Fields Coody Vann

There's a lot of rich history in that family. Lots of exciting documentation exists today on several generations of the family because they were affluent and active in Cherokee politics. There is more than enough documentation to show that John Vann, son of John Shepard Vann and Elizabeth Pack Vann, did NOT father any of Sarah Matilda Himes/Hines' children, and that he is NOT he ancestor of those who descend through her. Stay tuned for the next installment in this series, "Destroying the Field - Diggin' Up Bones" where I will show you, through documentation, why this often shared, commonly accepted family story, is not true.


Those are my thoughts for today.
Thanks for reading.

Destroying the Field - Some People Dig and Find Gold......(part 1)
Destroying the Field - Diggin' Up Bones (part 3)

copyright 2012, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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Destroying the Field - Some People Dig and Find Gold..................

........others dig and find ancestors who are not theirs. Destroys the whole field (of genealogy.)

Stay tuned for more in the new series, "Destroying the Field."

Source - The Indiana Messenger; Indiana, Pennsylvania; August 11, 1869; p 2.

*Case brought to my attention by a concerned reader. Topic suggested by a friend. Thanks to you both!*

Those are my thoughts for today.
Thanks for reading.

Destroying the Field - Grandpa Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days (part 2)
Destroying the Field - Diggin' Up Bones (part 3)

copyright 2012, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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Things I've Learned While Doing Cherokee Genealogy

1 - People don't want to know the truth
It's true! When someone is looking for Cherokee ancestry, that is what they are looking for so telling them anything different, no matter how true it is, will just not cut the mustard.  Never ever ever mistake one who is looking for Cherokee ancestry for one who is doing Cherokee genealogy. These two things often do not go hand in hand. Instead, they are more likely to go toe to toe!

2 - Not to challenge white people
I'm not kidding! Don't do it! By all means, do not challenge them or draw attention when they do something that offends Cherokees. If you do, the big, bad white man is going to remove you! Trust me. There is a reason my blog is no longer part of that online genealogical blogger community blog list. Aw well, it isn't the first time a Cherokee has been forced out by whites!* 

3 - Our ancestors are up for grabs
Honestly! Believe it or not, if you look around, you will find that some who claim to have done Cherokee genealogy have done nothing but, figuratively speaking, gone grave robbing and stolen our Cherokee ancestors' dead bodies. These folks take a dead corpse, prop it up in their family tree* and proudly display it like a hunter does his mounted deer head trophy! It's disgusting!  If ancestor stealing was a crime, these folks would be listed on the Genealogical Bureau of Investigation's Most Wanted List!

4 - There is still an "Indian problem"
Don't believe me? Go read any genealogy forum or discussion board overrun with wannabes. To them, "Cherokees" are to be respected and honored, till they meet one, a real one. Then they describe us as  mean spirited, nasty and hateful. How dare we ask them who their people are! How dare we ask them how they connect to OUR nation! How dare we not accept them as one of us, no questions asked! How dare.......... You get the picture. When it comes to wannabes, we Indians are a problem. They want the last thing we have left......our identity......and we won't let them have it. 

5 - Attempts at genocide continue today
Seriously. Though there are no dead bodies laying around (as explained in #3 above!), there are still attempts at genocide against the Cherokees going on today. It is what I call paper genocide. Instead of killing us outright, they are now trying to erase our Indian ancestors from history and replace them with their white ancestors. By doing so, not only do they get rid of that particular Indian, they also get rid of all of his descendants and replace those descendants with those of the white man. It is genealogical smoke and mirrors at its finest and some folks enjoy the show enough to believe it. Thank goodness it is all an illusion that can be sorted out and corrected by a team of determined and dedicated researchers. Hold on, Crane Eater! We're comin' for ya!

Those are my thoughts for today.
Thanks for reading.





* Comments previously made by David Cornsilk.

copyright 2012, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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When You Just Have to Do Something....

I get a lot of emails from readers asking for advice, requesting look-ups, or searching for other information. Many times, after I do what I can to help, they ask what they can do to repay me or if I want money for helping them. Absolutely not. I do this so people have a place to get accurate information on Cherokee history and good advice on how to search for Cherokee ancestry or do one's Cherokee genealogy.  As long as people learn and myths are dispelled, I am happy. But, still some people feel they really must do something. If you are one of these people (and you know who you are!), my advice is and has always been to pay it forward. You are free to pay it forward in anyway you want, but since I am asked so often, I thought I would share a little information about my favorite charity.

War Pony Community Outreach Inc. is a 501 (3) c non profit organization. It was founded by Cherokees; Raymond Vann, Sioux Smith-Vann, Jack Christie and Art Floyd. It's mission is to serve the people in the 14 county service area of the Cherokee Nation and to help provide those in need with necessities to improve their quality of life. Though War Pony assists anyone who requests help, its main clients are Cherokee.

In the beginning, War Pony was well funded and thrived, but with the downward spiral of the economy,  donations have decreased. But through Raymond Vann's vigilance and hard work, War Pony has still managed to obtain food, furniture, clothing, or whatever is needed when they are called upon for help. Raymond works tirelessly serving the Cherokee people in need and sometimes provides help out of his own pocket if War Pony funds are depleted.

Just a few of the things War Pony has helped with in the past are: water well and minor home repairs; referrals to legal aid resources; emergency assistance with food and diapers; utility payments; rental assistance; job referrals; and providing Christmas gifts. War Pony also has a list of other agencies and resources to send people to if they are not able to help.

 

Though there are other charities operating within the Cherokee Nation service area, War Pony is the only one I know that, though not limited to, primarily provides help to Cherokees. Some other charities may use the name Cherokee or say they are operated by Cherokees, but that doesn't mean they primarily help Cherokees and it doesn't even mean they are all actually Cherokees providing the help. It just means they use the word. So, if you are looking for a charity that primarily provides help for the Cherokee people, War Pony is the only one I would recommend. 

Donations can be sent to:

War Pony Community Outreach Inc.
c/o Raymond Vann
21828 N Ben George Rd
Tahlequah, OK 74464

or call (918)458-9095 for more information.


Those are my thoughts for today. Thanks for reading. And remember, Pay It Forward!





***Note - In 2010, Raymond Vann was recognized for his work through War Pony at the AARP Indian Elders Honors. ***

copyright 2012, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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Thriller Thursday - Conclusion to the Groundhog Murder Trial

Source - The Cherokee Advocate; Tahlequah, Oklahoma; September 19, 1884. 

So, there we have it. Apparently, Groundhog was convicted of the murder of John Moore and sentenced to death, but then later received a reprieve and was set free.

Is this the same Groundhog who was the stepson of  my third great grandfather, Dave Tadpole? I still don't know, but I am continuing to research and will post updates as I learn more.

copyright 2012, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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From My Inbox - It Isn't Just Me Who Says It!

"Enjoyed the latest articles very much ! Especially the Custer part !

 

With more and more people gaining access to the Guion Miller Apps, then there will be more and more people claiming "I am Cherokee", based simply on something old Great Great Aunt Emily or dear old great great gramps supposedly said....................

And she/he NEVER lied !

Over the years, I've traced more than a few families who submitted applications, rejected applications that is, and one thing that always emerges, is that for around 100 years BEFORE Guion Miller, these families were very definitely Free White Citizens of the United States......................and strangely enough, they continued to be Free White Citizens for 100 years AFTER Guion Miller.

 

There's just this very brief window of opportunity in a 200 year time span when these folk claimed they were Cherokee, which strangely co-incided with the government handing out money!

 

Curious, huh ?

 

Well, not really.

They were simply "hiding their ancestry". 

Pretending to be Free White Citizens of the United States, with all the attendant advantages accorded to FWC's, that were denied to Indians. Basically, they lied to the government.

Or did they ?

Perhaps, they lied on their Guion Miller Applications ?

 

That's a decision these descendants will have to make.

 

 

"Hiding their ancestry" is something that gets right up my.................elbow. Every time I see one of those messages, I just think " Well, jeez, why didn't my folks think of that?" "

*****
Wow! Nice message! I couldn't have said it better myself! Thanks for sharing!

copyright 2012, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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You Can't Handle the Truth!

Truth is non-negotiable. Either something is true or it isn't. Yesterday, I was apparently "taken to task" over "truths." Apparently we all have our own truths. Whaaaaaaaaat? Back up there, buddy! We all have our own truths? Are you kidding me?

Fact is fact and fiction is fiction. In genealogy, we are supposed to be looking for facts, or I thought we were. But apparently not. Apparently it is okay for someone to claim any old thing they want about our Cherokee ancestors, with no real evidence or documentation to support what they say, and that is all okay. Pay attention here, folks. Watch what is going on........Did you see what I just said? It is okay for someone to write whatever the heck they want and try to pass it off as Cherokee genealogy and nobody has a problem with it. If a blog in the genealogical blogging community does this, IT IS OKAY! That blog will be promoted, tweeted, and shared all over the place, no questions asked. After all, we all have our own "truths."

But.......

What is not okay is for a Cherokee to take offense at that. What? Seriously it is not okay for a Cherokee to see it, point it out, and then say it was offensive. Don't believe me? Check out my recent interactions on Twitter. My tweet, "Promoting a blog that perpetuates myths about Cherokee ancestry is an insult to real Cherokee people," resulted in my being sent a nasty email and a later response on Twitter that included #bringit.

Are you kidding me? Bring it? Someone who is supposed to be a genealogist, seeking to get their certification, is going to tell me to "bring it" over this Crane Eater thing? Seriously, are you freaking kidding me? Crane Eater and James Keith were not the same man. The evidence and documentation clearly show it. This is not about a fight, a battle or personal attacks. It is about the truth, the real truth, and not some work of fiction being passed off as the truth.

Now if you want me to bring it, I can, but you better get ready because, to borrow some of your words to me, "I’m not a shrinking violet," and I'm "last person you want to #$%& off" when it comes to our Cherokee ancestors. You know there are some things that are very wrong here, yet rather than admit what you did might actually be offensive to Cherokees, you would rather attack me for saying it was offensive. That's fine. You made it perfectly clear where you stand on this issue. But, like it or not, Cherokees have the right to say all this wannabe hub-bub and the support and encouragement of it is offensive to us. That is our right and that is the truth. Oh, but I forgot, you can't handle the truth.

For the truth about Crane Eater and the never ending saga, please read:

Dissecting a Family Myth - William Loranzo Dow Keith

Dissecting a Family Myth - Keith Family Part 2

When Wannabes Attack (Again)

Let Crane Eater Rest In Peace

From My Inbox

This is How We Do It! (Cherokee Wannabe Genealogy)

She's Dug In, Baby! Let the Battle for Truth In Genealogy Begin

Crane Eater - A Story of Mistaken Identity and the Quest for Truth

copyright 2012, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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Sentimental Sunday - Crane Eater: A Story of Mistaken Identity and the Quest for Truth

Who was Crane Eater and why does his life matter? 

Crane Eater was a full blood Cherokee and he was born in the old Cherokee Nation East. He served in the War of 1812 with a Cherokee regiment and did battle with Andrew Jackson against the Creeks. He was active in Cherokee politics and in 1835, he was living on the Coosawattee River in Georgia. He wasn't a rich man. Just a man of humble means living in his small home with 10 others in his full blood family.

Though he, along with nearly 16,000 others, signed a petition to remain in the east, his beloved homeland, he and the others were forced out; rounded up, arrested by the military and taken to the dreaded, horrific stockades where the Cherokees were held for months. He, like the other Cherokees, left on the now infamous Trail of Tears. He traveled through Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri before finally reaching the Indian Territory. The weather and cold was nearly unbearable. The detachment he traveled with, just like those ahead of them and behind them, was forced to stop due to the frozen Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. People were suffering all around him. Everyone was sick. Many died.

Finally, in the early spring of 1839, he reached the Indian Territory. He settled on the Caney in Flint District with the surviving members of his family. Later, in 1842, he filed a claim against the United States government for the property he was forced to leave behind in the old nation. He was forced to abandon nearly everything he owned and never had a chance to retrieve it or sell it. Though under less than desirable circumstances, he did rebuild his life.

That life, the life of Crane Eater, matters because he is just one of many Cherokees from the old days whose lives are now being investigated. Sometimes their lives are studied by Cherokees but many times, their lives and history are studied by other people. Often those other people study our ancestors because they believe they, the other people, are Cherokee. Too many times, those other people are wrong. 

Today, in the year 2012, one hundred and seventy four years after the Trail of Tears, there are a lot of rumors about Crane Eater that are not true.  There is a white family who claims to have come from him. He did not know them and he never knew any of their people, yet they say he was the father of one of them. This is not true. He never knew the man they claim was his son. He was not married to the woman they claim was his wife. I imagine he would not like it that they try to give him children and a wife that were not his. I doubt he could ever understand why they do it. He had his own family. I believe he probably loved his family.  This is why the story of his life matters. 

Crane Eater was a full blood Cherokee man who had a family. For a white family to claim he was their ancestor and that his children were their ancestor's children is an outrage. By doing this, they are trying to erase the real Crane Eater and his family from history and replace them with James Keith, a white man, and his family. This is unacceptable and it is very disrespectful. Crane Eater deserves better than that. He stayed with his nation, through thick and thin, helping, as an average Cherokee citizen, to build it into what it is today. He never abandoned his nation or his people. He was one of those who signed the petition to try to keep their homeland. He was one those who was forcibly rounded up and removed. And he was one of those who survived to start over. It is important that people know the truth about Crane Eater and his life. If he is to be remembered, then he would want to be remembered for who he really was. To remember him any other way is a shame and dishonor to both him and the Cherokee people.

Those are my thoughts for today.

Thanks for reading.

For the truth about Crane Eater and the never ending saga, please read:

Dissecting a Family Myth - William Loranzo Dow Keith

Dissecting a Family Myth - Keith Family Part 2

When Wannabes Attack (Again)

Let Crane Eater Rest In Peace

From My Inbox

This is How We Do It! (Cherokee Wannabe Genealogy)

She's Dug In, Baby! Let the Battle for Truth In Genealogy Begin

Crane Eater - A Story of Mistaken Identity and the Quest for Truth

 

copyright 2012, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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She's dug in, baby! Let the Battle for Truth in Genealogy Begin!

Because I have done such extensive research on the Cherokee man named Crane Eater, it is not uncommon for me to do a Google search on him periodically. I saw something last weekend on a genealogy forum that was incorrect and decided to respond to it. I think people have the right to get accurate information. Let's just say things got interesting after that! 

Like I have said so many times before, some people really don't care about the truth when it comes to Cherokee genealogy. They want to be Cherokee, so by gosh, they are going to be, whether they really are or not! And, the debate on the forum proved this point.

One message posted said,
"You're waging a losing battle. I'm going to continue my research; Nothing you say or do will stop my efforts or what I blog about. I've dug in, baby."

If that doesn't prove everything I have been saying all along in this Crane Eater saga, I don't know what does.

"You're waging a losing battle."
"Nothing you say...will stop my efforts or what I blog about."
"I've dug in, baby."

It is now perfectly clear, nothing, I mean, NOTHING, I say, no matter how accurate it is, no matter how much it is based on actual documentation, no matter how honest I am about it, NOTHING will stop this person from wrongly claiming Crane Eater as their ancestor. NOTHING. After all, this isn't a quest for truth, but instead, it is a "battle" and they've "dug in." Not only are such comments cocky and arrogant, they also show someone grossly underestimates the documentation I have.  Isn't that sad? I thought we were doing genealogy here.

Anyway, apparently I am now in battle...

Gee, an Anglo going to battle against an Indian. That's nothing new.

But, before this apparent battle begins, I would like to remind everyone about a bit of history. Remember a man named George Armstrong Custer? He, too, was arrogant and cocky. He, too, wanted to go to battle. And he, too, underestimated the Indians. Now you tell me..........how'd that work out for him?

Those are my thoughts for today.
Thanks for reading.





Photo - painting by Richard Lorenz "The Last Glow Of A Passing Nation"

copyright 2012, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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Friday Funny - Nothing Like Posing with Your Hog!

Rebecca/Rebekah Alice Keys Boothe, from the Cherokee Keys Family, here posing with her hog.

copyright 2012, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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Thriller Thursday - Groundhog Guilty, Sentenced to Hang

Source - The Cherokee Advocate; Tahlequah, Oklahoma; July 4, 1884; p.3.

Part One

Part Two

copyright 2012, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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Wordless Wednesday - Segment of the Trail of Tears Route

Near Golconda, Illinois.

 

copyright 2012, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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Tuesday's Tip - Getting Your Family More Interested in Genealogy

If you are like me, sometimes it is difficult to get the rest of your family as interested in your family history and genealogy as you are. After racking my brain to find ways to make it more fun and exciting for them, I decided to put together some videos. I used the site, OneTrueMedia. It is very easy to use and gives you a lot of different options for adding photos, video clips, themes, etc...

Though impossible to get them to sit down and go through old documents and papers with me, my family would sit for a few minutes and watch a video. And, the videos worked. After watching them, they were full of questions, like, "Who was that?" or "How am I related to them?" The videos also made things seem more real and sentimental to my family.

So, if you are looking for ways to get your family more interested, I would recommend making a video and showing it at a family dinner, reunion or holiday. It worked for me. An example of the videos I have made is below. It features the descendants of my third great grandma, Polly Tadpole.

Those are my thoughts for today.
Thanks for reading.

copyright 2012, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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Tombstone Tuesday - Couseen Downing

Born December 13, 1833. Died July 1, 1876.

Re interred in the (new) Fisher Cemetery; Wagoner County, Oklahoma.

Original burial location unknown.

copyright 2012, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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Beware the Eastern Redbud!

"Cherokee trivia: Did you know that trees figure prominently in Cherokee culture. Some trees are sacred such as Cedar and Holly. Others are important food sources such as hickory, chinquapin and chestnut. And some become sacred when included in the seven woods used to kindle the ceremonial fire. One tree is neither sacred nor particular special, except for it's name, which makes it interesting. That is the Eastern Redbud known to Cherokees as Da-yi-go-gi or Liar. It is called this because it is the first tree to bloom in the spring often before the last heavy frost. If the farmer planted based on the Liar, the tender crops would be lost." David Cornsilk, Cherokee historian and activist

 Well, that's interesting, but how does it fit into genealogy? 

Cherokee genealogy trivia: Did you know that the Eastern Cherokee Applications figure prominently in Cherokee genealogy? Some applications are valuable because they offer evidence of Cherokee ancestry. Others are important because they offer Cherokee genealogical information found nowhere else. One type is neither valuable or important when proving Cherokee ancestry, which makes it interesting. That type is the rejected application. It could have been rejected because a Cherokee who descended from Old Settlers made it, but, most likely, it was rejected because the person applying simply was not Cherokee. Many non-Cherokees applied, believing the Cherokees had no records, therefore they could get some of the settlement money. For this reason, rejected applications are like the Eastern Redbud or Liar. It is the first documentation wannabes cling to, often without anything else that suggests their ancestors were Cherokee. Beware the the Eastern Redbud, or Eastern application (rejected)! If a person claims to be Cherokee based on a Da-yi-go-gi, all truth in their genealogy may be lost.

Those are my thoughts for today.
Thanks for reading.

copyright 2012, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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This Is How We Do It! (Cherokee Wannabe Genealogy)

First, some music to get you in the mood to do some Cherokee Wannabe Genealogy!

Whew! Got so busy shaking my hind-end that I almost forgot what I was writing about today. As I wipe the sweat from my brow, I'll tell you how to do wannabe genealogy! 

Step 1 - Grab a real name from your real family tree. 

---For our example, we will use a white family tree and we will use the name John Keith.

Step 2 - Figure out some information on said real person from your family tree. (Don't worry about learning very much. You are just going to swap him out in a bit anyway.)

---White John Keith was the son of Cornelius Keith and Mary LaFoone.

Step 3 - Find a Cherokee who has the same name as your said ancestor. 

---For our example, we will use a Cherokee John Keath/Keith.

Step 4 -Learn a little about the real Cherokee. 

(Don't worry about learning too much about the Cherokee because all you need is the name and one or two details about him to make it look good. You are going to change everything else. After all, you have to make your family fit in his tree 'cause you wannabe a Cherokee!)

---John Keath/Keith was the father of a woman named Betsy. Betsy married Caleb Starr. And they were the parents of a James Starr. (Ok, that is enough to make it look good. I think we can fool them now!)

Step 5 - Mix and match the information for both people.

Hmmm......let's see, we will say this, "James Starr was the son of Caleb Starr and Betsy Keith. Betsy was the daughter of John Keith and Polly A-S-DU-I-S-DI. This John was the son of Cornelius Keith and Mary LaFoone."

Step 6 - Now build a good story around it connecting the person from your family tree to your ancestor. 

---"James Starr said his mother was a full blood, so that means both her parents were full bloods. Since John was her father, that means he was a full blood, therefore, his parents were full bloods. This John Keith was the nephew of my ancestor, Samuel or Lemuel or whatever the heck we are calling him today, so since John was a full blood Cherokee, that means my ancestor was at least part Indian!"

Step 7 - Step back and revel in your success at making yourself a Cherokee. 

(Boy, that is some slick stuff. You'll probably get away with it unless that "bee", Polly's Granddaughter, gets written to by an enraged reader asking her to explain how you managed to steal their ancestor.)

Step 8 - Have your story debunked.

(Crap! Someone emailed her!)

Yes, someone emailed me. I would post their message here, but because of the curse words in the message, it is probably best I don't. We try to keep this family friendly! :) Anyway...

It doesn't take much to debunk this one. John Keith, the son of Cornelius Keith and Mary LaFoone, was the husband of a woman named Jane or Mary Jane Mackey. Their family is pretty well documented and he had no daughter named Betsy. He is found living with his daughter, Mary E. Keith, and her husband Noble Glenn, in Eastern Division, Pickens, South Carolina in 1850. He died in South Carolina in 1853 and is buried the Oolenoy Baptist Church Cemetery in Pumpkintown, Pickens County, South Carolina. The family is repeatedly found in United States records and always listed as white.

The Cherokee John Keith, son of Du-dee-guah-na-guh and Too-nah-ye, was living in Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory in 1851 with his wife and younger children. (Betsy already had her own household.) His descendants all testified he was born east of the Mississippi River. There is a John Keith listed as living in Georgia on the 1835 census of the Cherokee Nation. The family is repeatedly found in records of the Cherokees -- 1880 and 1890 censuses, service with the Indian Home Guard (side note - John's son, George was in the same company as my 4x great grandpa, Mike Carey), etc...

So what we actually have is a white John Keith who lived and died in South Carolina and a Cherokee John Keith who lived in the old Cherokee Nation and then removed to Indian Territory on the Trail of Tears in 1838. They clearly were not the same man.

To my enraged reader, it will be okay. The truth always prevails, so I guess we should be singing something about debunking myths, huh? Come on, sing it with me.....this is how we do it...........

Those are my thoughts for today.

Thanks for reading.

copyright 2012, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

GQGRM2QADH3E

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Be Careful in Your Assumptions

Not so long ago, I read another genealogy blog where the writer believed they had found a "junior" in a family, based on what they thought they saw written on a Cherokee claim against the United States government in 1842.

What they saw was this -

They believed this said, "Crane Eater Jr." Because of their assumption, they believed there were two Crane Eaters, a father and a son. Unfortunately, they were wrong on both accounts. A little background knowledge of what they were reading and/or Cherokee history would have been helpful.

That is not a "Jr" following the name Crane Eater, but instead a "Dr". It is the acronym for "debtor." This "Dr" is found on many, many of the Cherokee claims filed against the United States. Another example showing the same thing -

This example of misinterpreted data shows us why one must be knowledgeable about the documents they are reviewing. Without such knowledge, something can be misunderstood and taken out of context of the true meaning.  It is unfortunate that often, in the pursuit of Cherokee genealogy, there are a lot of people trying to decipher data that they don't understand. This often leads to glaringly obvious errors in their research that they don't see, so they continue on, making more blunders, until their "genealogy" is nothing more an example of how not to do Cherokee genealogy.

So, as you pursue your endeavor to find your Cherokee ancestors, be careful out there, folks! Don't assume anything if you don't understand what you are reading or if you don't know the purpose of the document you are analyzing. Stop, ask questions, email me, or do whatever you need to do in order to understand the information before you move on. Wouldn't it be heartbreaking to spend years working on a family line, only to discover later that you had made an error that led you down the wrong path because you didn't understand the data? It would be to me.

Avoid being an example of "what not to do in Cherokee genealogy" and be careful in your assumptions. After all, you know what assuming does, don't you? Assume = Ass/u/me :)

Those are my thoughts for today.
Thanks for reading.





Source info - Photographs are crops from the 1842 claims Cherokees, Crane Eater and Daniel Pumpkinpile, filed against the United States.

*Note - Later, we will discuss the assumption of there being a father and son with the same name, but that is for another day! *

copyright 2012, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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Thriller Thursday - Groundhog Trial Continued

Follow up story from Thriller Thursday - Whiskey-Pistol-Death

Source - The Cherokee Advocate; Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory; Friday, June 20, 1884.

Part One

copyright 2012, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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Tombstone Tuesday - John Moore

John Moore was the son of Matthew Reader Moore and Sarah Woodward (sister to my ancestor, Redbird Woodward.) He was a sergeant in Company C, Cherokee Mounted Volunteers, CSA. He was the husband of Susan Dennis (sister to my ancestor, Peggy Dennis) and they were the parents of William Moore and Sadie (Moore) Rowe.

A few weeks ago, I featured a news article about the shooting of my great, great, great grandfather, Dave Tadpole. John Moore was with him and was also shot. John died from those wounds.

copyright 2012, Polly's Granddaughter - TCB

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