Huff and Taylor

[Toanorose]

Hi, just registered with this Forum. :) My name is Rose. I live in Toano,Va. That's halfway between Richmond and Hampton, in James City County.

I am trying to find out more about the origins and history of my paternal ancestors, the VA Siouans.:D My Grandma told my Dad that they were Siouan. He never researched anything and the family members change the subject when I ask. :(

If anybody can give me a lead as to the names Huff and Taylor, I'd appreciate it. Other names on my paternal side are Jennings and Kidd, for instance.

My Dad was born in Gladstone,VA where I still have some family members, also in Amherst and Madison Heights.

Any information about groups or people is welcome.

Kind regards to all, Rose

[Brenda Collins Dillon]

Rose,

I have Taylor in my line. Mine start out in NJ in early 1700's but there might have been one or two generations before that time in early America. The origional Taylor line came from Liverpool England but from what I am told married into the native americans. My line goes back to William Taylor who married Senor, supposely Indian. They left NJ and settled in Winchester, Virginia.

IF you go to the top of the forum page you will find a box marked SEARCH. Type in Taylor. I have posted several times in this forum on the surname.

Brenda Collins Dillon

[Linda]

Welcome Toanarose, glad to see someone fairly local on board. There's a Native American cultural festival in New Kent Nov 1st and 2nd. Maybe you can attend. Our family will be there.

Rick Haithcock believes the Taylor name to be among Saponi (VA Siouan) descendants. (He compiled a huge book of research on Eastern Siouan descendants.) Some of his work has been used by others in successful bids for state recognition.

It's interesting to find families who carried the ID of being Siouan. My husband has two lines who said they were Sioux. The word is from an "enemy" tribe and not at all flattering, and would not have been what they originally called themselves. It came into use by whites in the 1600's, to describe a north eastern tribe (I forget which one) so it isn't impossible that our people would have picked up on it and associated themselves with it before tribal knowledge was lost. Still, it's impressive. It implies a kind of sophistication or awareness of things on a national scale.