Looking For Help

[carrie]

Hello i just discovered this site .My great grandmother was Blackfoot Indian from the Souix Nation. She married a William Smith and lived on Big Tyler Mountain, West Virginia. i do not remember my grandmother,but her name was Piney Smith. from info past down through my father ( which is now past away) the "tribe" she was from was in West Virginia.from my understanding she only took 1 person to see her side of the family.and that was her eldest son. He had past before i was born.I had 1 woman approach me about 11 years ago when my husband was in the army and asked if i was blackfoot. i laughed and said i have some in me , she was from the reservation and said i looked just like one.I have always been proud of my indian heritage and want to teach my kids all about it.We now live in Alabama and there is a Creek Indian reservation near where we live.MY husband has a little Creek in him, I have been wanting to teach my kids and my little brother ( which is now 20) to be proud and rediscover what is pretty much lost. and I DO NOT want it to die.If anyone can help me find out anything on this.Thank you Very Much

[Linda]

I'm very interested in your family's oral history. Was the detail about the Sioux nation part of the oral history?

We do believe these eastern Blackfoot family identifications relate to the Siouan tribes of the southeast, but I have been skeptical that the word "Sioux" would have been used by people in the east. The word comes from another tribe's word for "enemy" so it obviously wouldn't be what these people called themselves. I assumed the word had not come into general usage until the West had been taken over by the whites.

But that's wrong. The word was first recorded by the French in the 1640's, on the east coast, so it could have been a common term used in the east. We've come across a few eastern families to identify themselves as Sioux and I'd like to know as much as possible about that.

Please stick around and look at some of the old posts on here. There are a number of people here with Eastern Blackfoot ID's in their families and we are all trying to reclaim as much of this heritage as we can. Glad you've come. Welcome.

Do you have any sense of how far away your great grandmother's family was from Big Tyler Mountain. I've heard of a number of communities in WV that have a heavy concentration of Blackfoot identified people.

[carrie]

Hi Linda thank you for your reply. i was wrong in her first name it is Pliney and her maiden name was Jerrett,I called my Aunt and she does not know to much and is also interested discovering about our heritage.The Souix was always a part of the oral history.My Aunt said she wasn't sure where our grandmother was born but it was in the southern part of the state. Big Tyler is near the Captial of West Virgina.(Charleston)If you get any Information Please feel free to contact me at
Carrie@4masonary.com
I will be trying to research about the "Souix"also and will update you on any findings i find out. again THANK You!!! always Carrie

[carrie]

hi.. i did find out there is a relationship to the "Sioux". They are apart of the Tetons that divided up into 7 "sub bands" after moving to the plains.Which included Hunkpapa,Sihasapa ( Blackfoot) and oglala.they are under the Lakota.The Tetons being most populas. about 15,000
the information was taken out of
Sioux The columbia Encyclopedia 6th edition 2001
in readiing tonight i read somthing about the Saponi and how the Blackfoot from the Sioux nation went to Ohio and then went to Virgina . well i found a little tonight.. and i feel on top of the world.but i still want to know about my grandmother and my Heritage..If anyone has any information or if i am wrong please let me know. Thank you for your help. Always carrie

[Linda]

Rats, I wrote you a long post earlier, but I didn't post it right. I thought it would be up here, but it's lost in forum heaven.

Yes, there's Blackfoot Sioux out west, and some of the Sioux holy men taught that their people had come from North Carolina several hundred years before the white man came. Their holy men had visions of what was coming and warned people to leave, so many of them did. Bought themselves an extra 200 years of freedom.

Did you see the article I have on the front page of this site, "The Other Blackfoot." I was also looking for an old thread on the "Other Blackfoot" section of this forum when I forgot to come back and post what I was writing. There's one thread I'd like you to look at, http://winwinworld.net/SaponiForum/UBB/Forum9/HTML/000006.html Our friend, Itconani, (we very affectionately call him Ya Huc sometimes when he's not around) brought to our attention some of the skepticism about who we are. There are some who think that the Blackfoot ID is just something people with unknown Indian ancestry glommed onto after they saw a few too many Wild West Shows in the 1890's. It would be good if we could demonstrate that this name existed prior to that.

I've heard reports from others that they've seen documentation such as: the Sissipaha were living on the Dan and were referred to as the "Blackfoot of the Dan." This person goes on to say that he saw more documentation that not long afterwards they were plundered by the Yamassee, many sent to Barbardos as slaves, the survivors ran to the Occoneechee. Another person says he's seen documentation that the Eastern Siouan tribes of Fort Christanna went to the Governor of VA to ask for his approval that they all merge together and call themselves the Blackfoot. Another friend says he's seen VA Blackfoot on a late 18th century Six Nations census. I haven't been able to verify the citations for any of these yet. It is public knowledge, though, that there was a town called Blackfoot Town in MD from 1740 to 1780, the time period when VA tribes were fleeing north, along a corridor these tribes were using in that exodus.

My point is that we are still trying to build a case to the rest of the world about who we are, so your researching your own family helps in that effort. I'm happy to see your enthusiasm. I know just how you feel.

[carrie]

WOW Linda you are Bubbling over with Information!!!I found out lastnight that one of her sons may still be alive. So i am going to try to get in contact with him and see what i can find out.My father was born in 46 so his mom give or take a few years she was born atleast what about 1920, i can find out more from my Aunt.My grandmother was the youngest.DO people really "think" the Blackfoot came around in 1890's?At my childern school there are Indian aides.One told me there was a man on the Poarch Creek reservation that was Blackfoot.When the kids return to school on monday, I am going to get his name and call the reservation,and see what he might know.Thank You so much Linda .. I am so excited ..I feel like a small child on christmas.Any information i get i will pass it right along... Again Many Thanks.. Always carrie

[carrie]

Linda Thank You for that link ... Now even more than ever my heels are dug in. I will be contacting my uncle as well ..And hope to prove that there are Blackfoot in the east.In the oral history of my family it is said my great grandmothers tribe is in the back hills of West Virgina. I also gave this site to my sister and she is going help me get all the information on our family. She also wants to teach her kids.So Maybe if i can get incontact with my Great uncle it might help. I will be contacting my fathers brother as well and see what he knows.. Thanks again Linda always carrie

[carrie]

Linda. I just got off the phone with my mother. She knew my great grandmother. Mom said her that as far as she can recall my Great grandmother had family in the towns called Pinch and Quick . I have never heard of these towns...But they are in Wv. Also Mom said her father came from Va.I am trying to get my Great uncles phone number and see what he knows.. I hope this helps!!! always carrie

[Linda]

Carrie, could you send me an email, there's something I want to send you. My address is sissipaha@saponitown.com

[This message has been edited by Linda (edited 11-23-2002).]

[Brenda Collins Dillon]

Carrie,

I was born in WV in Nicholas County. I have a cousin that died a few years ago but his family still lives at Pinch,WV. It is just a little town on the Fayette/Kawhawna line off county Hwy 47 or Interstate Hwy 64. It is like Nicholas County, mostly mountains. If we researched back far enough we could probably connect our lines.
Brenda.....hillbilly and darn proud of it!




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Life is a Rainbow made up of Many Different Colors.....

[carrie]

Hello Brenda..I am just so excited..My great Grandmother's name is either Pliney, Plina or Piney.My Aunt said that she thinks her last name was Jerrett. I know she Married a William Smith .He was a police officer during the depression,They use to call him "doc".I found out lastnight that one of the sons may still be alive.I know they call him Verron but that isn't his name.I am still trying to get his phone number.My grandmothers name was Fern Elizabeth.I know she had 2 sisters Goldie and Pearl.I heard through family she had a set of twins that died in a fire and another son that was born with ms and i want to say one died of a tumor.You know something it just came to me.. My father is buried in Gerrett cemetary..as well as my grand mother.and it is near Charleston, because when dad past away we took him to be buried in the family cemetary.
This graveyard is outside of charleston on 79.I will have to ask my mother what exit it is off of..I need to start thinking more..lol.I just figured out i have been spelling the last name wrong..lol If you have any Information Please feel free to contact me.. (A TRUE Hillbilly at heart.. and i am very proud of it) how about them EER's?...lol

[Brenda Collins Dillon]

Carrie, I am familiar with the name Jarrett. (with an "a")That name is common in Nicholas Co. WV. I don't have any in my direct line tho.
Here is a link to the Genweb site for WV. You can pull up the different counties you need researched. Some have census records online. http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvgenweb/



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Life is a Rainbow made up of Many Different Colors.....

[carrie]

Brenda and Linda, My Aunt e mailed me some information on my great grandmother.She is buried in Jarrett cemetary in Elkview Wv.She also had 2 sisters ...Elkview is near pinch..( i am pretty sure)that is also where my father is buried.I got my great uncles phone number and i will be calling him on monday..as soon as i can find anything out and where they came from i will pass it all on.Thank You so much for your help!!!Always carrie

[carrie]

Linda and Brenda, i spoke to my great aunt. she told me that Paulina's father was named bob cart and her mother was named betty, and the mother was from Frame Wv.I am going to call my uncle later.I will let you know when i get some more information.always carrie

[Brenda Collins Dillon]

Carrie, I found this and thought it might be of help to you.
http://genforum.genealogy.com/wv/kanawha/messages/884.html

Let me know.....
Brenda

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Life is a Rainbow made up of Many Different Colors.....

[itconani]

hey carrie!
glad you're here. linda - boy did i enjoy rereading that post you noted above. thats full of good debate and outlines some really crucial points on the eastern "blackfoot" ID.
carrie if you havent worked your way through those two pages - take a moment and check them out.

Carrie - a special PS for your husband - tell him "Hensce, estongo?" from a McIntosh. thanks

[Brenda Collins Dillon]

Carrie, I ask for help from one of my other forum groups and here was a reply. Thought I would pass it on.


Lois Ann Hayes - Nov 29, 2002 I have the following from some papers that I copied at the Court House in Clay County. It states that the people were born in Kanawha County, which if I remember right is the county Charleston is in.

Married November 16, 1867 Andy M. Jarret, 19, single, b. Kanawha County, Res. Clay County & Miriam King, 17, single, b. Kanawha County, Res. Clay County. Married by Rev. Ralph King




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Life is a Rainbow made up of Many Different Colors.....

[carrie]

Thank you so much Brenda.. and Hello Itconani.. Brenda the web site you gave me for Wv. has turn up some information.I did find on http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvkanawh/cemetery/jarrett.html
The graveyard my great grandmother and her sisters are buried.( this is also where my father is buried.And i know one of her sons and my Grandmother.From my understanding i am related somehow to everyone in there.also i have found out i am related to the Carts. I found Cart in Clay county 1870 census.now speaking of Owen Jarrett his wife elizabeth is buried in our family graveyard...that link on here should take you to the Jarrett Cemetery Loacated in Elkview.I printed it out and i am looking at it right now it says.. Elizabeth H Vincent wife of Owen Jarrett....15 June 1789 - 25 Nov.1877.. I am so excited.. so let me go and see what else i can figure out.. THANK YOU SO MUCH>>> FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!! Always carrie

[carrie]

Brenda both Owen and Elizabeth are buried in our family graveyard.I know Paulina's mother was Betty... which is also Elizabeth.. I have e mailed 3 people trying to see what her name was.. That sight you gave me is that lady related to the Jarretts also? My father is buried there.. as well as my grandma and uncle and just everyone...lol.thank you so much ... I just can not find the words to give you my thanks...again thank you always carrie

[Brenda Collins Dillon]

Carrie, You are very welcome. http://winwinworld.net/SaponiForum/UBB/smile.gif I know the Jarrett surname as it also appears in Nicholas County. I have learned that our people moved around a lot so if you run into a brickwall try searching in the counties that border your search area. I am not familiar with the Cart surname. I know what you mean about being related to most of the people, because most of my lines come through West Virginia my mom used to say I was probably related to half the state. They are a friendly people that share whatever they have. Show up at dinner time and another plate is sat at the table but don't ask any questions about the past because that is one sure way to get them mad. http://winwinworld.net/SaponiForum/UBB/frown.gif It has only been in the past few years that I have cousins writting me with questions. They know I have been at this for over 30 years but I don't have the answers either and I might never know the true history of my roots. I do know that the Indian bloodline is there just as the white and the black. My father is still among the living but he won't talk and all the others have passed on.


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Life is a Rainbow made up of Many Different Colors.....

[carrie]

THank you so much Brenda.... I know what you mean cause the only living child of my Great grandmother hasn't been a help.. now I haven't gotten to speak with him but his wife kinda let me know they did not want to talk.(DUH)But she did give me that name of her parnets.The web Sites you gave me has been the biggest help of them all.!!!:-).The Jarrett cemetery in Elkview is the one my father ,Grandmother and 2 of Paulina's sisters are buried.plus i know one of Paulinas sons is also buried there. I am supposed to be related to all of those people in that cemetery (even the one buried one the outside of the fence..lol..My sister said she might go down there in a couple of weeks to put flowers on my fathers grave. I told her I wanted Names and dates...I did get a copy of all the Jarretts in that cemetery,and what you sent earlier was a major help..I am sifting through hat i got so far and saving it, also i am going to check out the other counties...Brenda I could not have gotten this far without you.. thank you so much.I wrote the Kanawaha( i hope i spelled that right.) tree and asked if they can help where Paulina's mother and father came from. as you said if you would look at me you know i had Indian in me. I do not understand why some folks don't wanna share...what good is it going to do them taking it to the grave with them.. oneday i will have to show you a pic of my dad he is a spitting image of one.what ever i find out i am happy to share with anyone.Brenda right now you are the link to my family...lol.. with out you.. i wouldn't know nothing.. thank you again.. always carrie

[carrie]

Brenda and Linda guess what..ewww I am so excited i have now traced Paulina's Family to a David Jarrett in 1720...I copied of 16 pages of microfilm numbers just alone for birth certs. today. so i can look and see if if can find these family members on there and if there is anyone that has indian on it, also i am planning to get the microfilm for the marriage certs. and go through them and find out if anyone is placed as indian on there.. so wish me luck...I still have to research Paulina's father's side and i have a start.My husband has to go to teach baton to some cadet's so he will be gone for 3 days, and my children are all in school. so i know what i will be doing for 3 days( if i don't get called out)..lol..I will let you all know what i get.. and Brenda thank you again.. you have been such a big help!!! always carrie

[Linda]

I believe they only started doing birth certificates in the 20th century, so that can only take you so far. Marriage certificate or registrations go back and can be good. The census may be helpful. But don't get discouraged if you find no notations of them being Indian. Remember, WV had no Indians, according to the government. There was some godawful law about it on the books until just recently, so nobody with any sense was going to be blabbing that to the government. What you may find is them listed as Black or mulattoe, which can often be doubletalk for Indian.

If you trace the family back to slavery days, you may find them listed as free persons of color. Or non-free, shall we say. Many slaves were Indian, or degrees of Indian in their ancestry.

[carrie]

Linda funny you should say that i ran across a person as Mulattoe..I ran across someone in a census with "Mulattoe" in it. Hopfully i can find somthing with Indian on it.I would like to thank you so much for your help. You and Brenda has helped me so much, this web site has really helped in alot of this. And also my aunt and uncle has really jumped in ther to help and dig up information on comfirming what i have found.My Aunt went to the Cemetery yesterday and and comfirmed what i have on the Jarretts and cart. and my uncle found a OLd Old family bible and it had names that confirmed for my great grandfathers side.If i find any thing with indian in it, you will be the first to know. I have found it takes alot of time. i have been using so many resources and in 1 site alone it has the same people but under 2 different spellings. one puts a e on the end of the name where the other doesn't. but i know it is gonna take alot of time and i am ready to put the time into it. again thank you so much. and this site has been a great help and a great thing. i hope i can find a link ..( i am praying)....I will let you know what i find.. always carrie