Sister posed the question as to why people who seek Indian ancestors usually claim Cherokee Indians and I have been thinking as to why this would be.
I found the Cherokee Indians were situated in Virginia and as they were forced out they moved to south Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia Kentucky, and Arkansas. In fact they moved along the Appalachian trail as did the white English speaking settlers in their settling the the new lands so where ever the white man went there were the Cherokee Indians in their path.
The Cherokee Indians were removed by President Jackson to Oklahoma on the infamous trail of tears. I suppose this is why the Cherokee are in our memory playing apart in settling this part of the country and because those who had ancestors from these areas would have a folklore handed down in their family stories of the Cherokee Indians.
When the English speaking people began to move across the western states they had lived among the Cherokee Indians for several generations in war and peace. so as to why the Cherokee Indians are named as ancestors they are the know Indians therefore if you had a Indian in your family line you would think of the Cherokee.
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Very good Patsy. All families involved in genealogy have Indian stories. My husband's family is really hung up on being part Indian but I think they need to give it up.
It is true however, if you're lineage is a certain % American Indian you're entitled to some educational funding and other minority rights.
My cousin on my Dad's side and I have been trying to prove our Cherokee heritage for a long time. My other grandmother always told me that her grandmother was full Cherokee...I think that is where Daddy and I get our Indian characteristics. My cousins son was born with a Cherokee bithmark. I just wish would could find the heritage line...
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