You may need to look, in depth, at the term 'black dutch or Irish" ...compare it to Melungeon. I honestly believe the terms have come to be so mis-judged or mis-used (including the term mulatto) that few know who or who they really apply to. I think it was, sometimes, like the census takers writing surnames. Few were educated enough to know how to spell their names so the census takers wrote it like it sounded...and how it sounded depended upon how much terbaccy grandpa had in his mouth. We have at least 10 spelling alternatives for Emory/Hembree. I've also heard these called Melungeon and like I said....I've lived here among these people all my life...I don't recall a time of not knowing about these terms. Joyce Gaston Reece ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sherry Huff" <sheree606@alltel.net>

Maybe it is the term Melungeon that is mis-judged or misused. DNA testing has not been able to identify any specific markers that would suggest the Melungeons are a distinct "race" or "ethnic" group. Over time I think the lines of reality have been blurred. We have had so much influence from other cultures, races, religions, and ethnic backgrounds that our true identities and those of our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents may be lost to history forever. -----Original Message----- From: Joyce G. Reece [mailto:bjreece@bellsouth.net] Sent: Saturday, March 11, 2006 8:42 PM To: CHEROKEE-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [Cherokee Circle] Indians in Kentucky You may need to look, in depth, at the term 'black dutch or Irish" ...compare it to Melungeon. I honestly believe the terms have come to be so mis-judged or mis-used (including the term mulatto) that few know who or who they really apply to. I think it was, sometimes, like the census takers writing surnames. Few were educated enough to know how to spell their names so the census takers wrote it like it sounded...and how it sounded depended upon how much terbaccy grandpa had in his mouth. We have at least 10 spelling alternatives for Emory/Hembree. I've also heard these called Melungeon and like I said....I've lived here among these people all my life...I don't recall a time of not knowing about these terms. Joyce Gaston Reece ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sherry Huff" <sheree606@alltel.net> ==== CHEROKEE Mailing List ==== <<>OPEN forum to all Cherokee topics - except Genealogy<>> <>Culture-History-Language-Folk lore and Truths<> Good Manners & Language is required to be on the list ALL the links you will need to sub and unsub or contact listowner below http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/other/Ethnic-Native/CHEROKEE.html ============================== New! Family Tree Maker 2005. Build your tree and search for your ancestors at the same time. Share your tree with family and friends. Learn more: http://landing.ancestry.com/familytreemaker/2005/tour.aspx?sourceid=1459 9&targetid=5429